Surf Forecasts:
Cable Bay surf forecast from 1 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 7 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 15s period, NNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 7s period, NNW swell with 1,162 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 7 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 8s period with NNW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Cable Bay this week:
The surf forecast for Cable Bay over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 8s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Cable Bay in the next 16 days are 3.5m 7s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 7s period and expected on Friday (Sep 04) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 12PM (Mon 7th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Sun 6th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cable Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, it’s a pretty grim run for Cable Bay. For a spot that’s usually a reliable point break, we’re looking at a long stretch of almost nothing surfable. The first week is basically a write-off. From Tuesday the 1st right through to Saturday the 5th, it’s all tiny, choppy, or onshore junk – not worth paddling out for. There’s a bit of a pulse on Friday the 4th with a 13ft swell from the NNW (very strong energy, 2102), but that’s slammed by a fresh cross-onshore wind and lumpy conditions, so it’s a miss for us. The weekend doesn't get much better.
The only real glimmer in this entire 16-day window lands on Monday the 7th of September. The morning brings a glassy, clean surface with a light southwesterly, and a solid 5ft groundswell from the NNW, with a nice 12-second period and moderate energy (582). That’s a proper wave for an intermediate. The swell direction is a good match for the break’s optimum from the NW. But remember, this spot is listed as inconsistent, so don’t bank your whole week on it. The afternoon gets ruined by a cross-on wind.
After that, it’s back to the doldrums. The second week is a total dead zone – tiny, wind-affected waves or flat spells right through to the 16th. You get some clean offshore winds from the SE on the last couple of days (15th and 16th), but with no swell to speak of, it’s just a flat, pretty ocean. A blank run like this is a bit more normal for this area when the conditions don’t align.
If you’ve got a kite, the Friday the 4th with that big 13ft swell and strong wind might be your jam, but for a paddle surfer, it’s a tough outlook.
Stay patient.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu afternoon, min 8°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Wed night, fresh winds from the NNW by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Sun morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat afternoon, min 8°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNW on Sun morning, light winds from the SSE by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 3 | WSW 3 | WNW 4 | WSW 4 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 8 | NW 8 | NNW 8 | NW 15 | NW 6 | NW 5 | NNW 7 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 15 | NNW 15 | NNW 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 9 | 3 | 21 | 10 | 49 | 84 | 0 | 0 | 164 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 86 | 54 | 0 | 887 | 334 | 0 | 1117 | 108 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 12:16PM3.33m | 00:33AM3.34m | 12:56PM3.24m | 1:15AM3.17m | 1:41PM3.08m | 2:04AM2.96m | 2:35PM2.90m | 3:04AM2.74m | 3:43PM2.74m | 4:22AM2.58m | 5:06PM2.68m | 5:49AM2.58m | 6:29PM2.78m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:22PM0.16m | 6:43AM0.15m | 7:03PM0.29m | 7:24AM0.33m | 7:48PM0.48m | 8:13AM0.54m | 8:45PM0.69m | 9:14AM0.76m | 9:59PM0.87m | 10:36AM0.89m | 11:32PM0.89m | 12:07PM0.85m | 00:57AM0.74m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | |  | | |  |  | | | | | |  | | | | |  | |
 | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — |
 | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:07 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 9 | — | — | — | 5 |
Temp °C | 12 | 13 | 10 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 8 |
Feels °C | 7 | 7 | 5 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 4 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 14 | NW 14 | NW 15 | NW 6 | NW 17 | NNW 16 | NW 15 | — | — | NW 16 | NW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NW 15 | NW 15 | — | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 15 | — | NNW 9 |
| kJ | 164 | 100 | 54 | 31 | 46 | 24 | 9 | — | — | 42 | 410 | 235 | 114 | 109 | 191 | — | 887 | 334 | 1405 | — | 108 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 20 | NW 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 16 | NW 15 | NW 15 | — | NW 8 | — | NW 17 | NW 16 | — | — | NW 14 |
| kJ | 25 | 23 | 15 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 40 | 35 | 104 | — | 18 | — | 140 | 66 | — | — | 147 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NW 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 3 | WSW 3 | WNW 4 | WSW 4 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 8 | — | — | — | NW 6 | NW 5 | NNW 7 | — | — | — | NNW 15 | — |
| kJ | 9 | 3 | 21 | 10 | 49 | 84 | 120 | 230 | 164 | 765 | — | — | — | 86 | 54 | 431 | — | — | — | 1117 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 59 | 116 | 59 | 59 | 59 | 59 | 8 | 17 | 19 | 124 | 288 | 118 | 19 | 124 | 4 | 277 | 19 | 124 | 0 | 94 | 59 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Nelson - Tasman Bay | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Cable Bay Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Cable Bay provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Cable Bay can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Cable Bay surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Cable Bay) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Cable Bay may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Are you planning a holiday in Nelson - Tasman Bay? If you are looking for accommodation near Cable Bay, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Nelson - Tasman Bay, consider staying in Nelson which is 18 km (11 miles) away. Alternatively, find information about places to stay and car hire in Blenheim which is 60 km (37 miles) away
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