Catlins River Mouth Surf Break

Lat Long: 46.48° S 169.72° E

Catlins River Mouth Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 17 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Catlins River Mouth sea temperature is
11.5°C
2.3° 

Catlins River Mouth surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Catlins River Mouth surf forecast from 17 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 18 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 20 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 21ft (6.5m), 18s period, SSW swell with 24,980 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 18 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 15s period with SW swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Catlins River Mouth this week:

The surf forecast for Catlins River Mouth over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 18) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 5.0m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 2.5m and 15s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 13s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Catlins River Mouth in the next 16 days are 6.5m 18s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 20) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 19) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Fri 18th Sep)16ft (5.0m) 15s
Best Surf 9AM (Fri 18th Sep)16ft (5.0m) 15s
Most Powerful12PM (Sun 20th Sep)21ft (6.5m) 18s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Catlins River Mouth over the next 16 days.


Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Sat morning, min 6°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Fri night, strong winds from the WSW by Sat night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon afternoon, min 4°C on Wed morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the WNW on Sun night, fresh winds from the WSW by Tue afternoon).

Friday
18
Saturday
19
Sunday
20
Monday
21
Tuesday
22
Wednesday
23
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
4
!
!
4
4
3
!
!
!
!
3
4
3
!
2
!
3
!
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.3
SSW
16
5
SW
15
5
SW
15
2.5
SSW
15
1.8
SSW
14
2.1
SSW
16
4
SW
14
7
SSW
16
6
SSW
17
3.5
SSW
16
2.4
SSW
15
1.8
SSW
15
1.7
SSW
15
4
SW
14
2.1
SSW
16
5
SW
16
2.3
SSW
16
3.5
SSW
15
2.3
SSW
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2550
9433
9968
2943
1283
2109
5854
24876
20706
6043
2482
1358
1241
7066
2080
12340
2588
5529
2682
Wind (km/h)
20
WNW
25
WNW
20
WNW
15
NNW
20
NW
20
WNW
40
W
45
WSW
35
WSW
10
WNW
20
N
20
NNW
20
W
20
WNW
25
W
30
WSW
15
WSW
25
SSW
10
WNW
Wind State
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
off
High Tide
7:50AM2.14m
8:10PM2.07m
8:53AM2.08m
9:19PM2.02m
9:59AM2.05m
10:25PM2.02m
10:58AM2.06m
11:21PM2.06m
11:50AM2.10m
00:10AM2.12m
12:35PM2.17m
00:52AM2.20m
Low Tide
1:34AM1.12m
2:01PM1.21m
2:32AM1.17m
3:01PM1.25m
3:38AM1.18m
4:09PM1.24m
4:42AM1.13m
5:14PM1.18m
5:38AM1.06m
6:07PM1.08m
6:26AM0.96m
6:50PM0.97m
cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
rain showers
rain showers
clear
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:39
6:37
6:35
6:33
6:31
6:28
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:31
6:32
6:34
6:36
6:37
6:37
 mm
3
1
1
4
3
2
2
4
5
3
2
Temp °C
10
9
10
11
13
12
6
7
9
8
16
18
8
11
7
6
7
8
7
Feels °C
4
3
6
7
9
8
-3
-3
0
3
11
13
1
4
-2
-2
1
1
3
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the Catlins River Mouth Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Catlins River Mouth provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Catlins River Mouth can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Catlins River Mouth 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 (Catlins River Mouth) 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 Catlins River Mouth 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.

Catlins River Mouth is 91 km (57 miles) from Dunedin. If you plan a holiday in Catlins, look for hotels and other accommodation in Dunedin. Dunedin has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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