Catlins River Mouth Surf Break

Lat Long: 46.48° S 169.72° E

Catlins River Mouth Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 21 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Catlins River Mouth sea temperature is
11.0°C
1.8° 

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 20 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 22 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 15s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 28 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 16s period, SSW swell with 13,666 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 21 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 15s period with SSW 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 Monday (Sep 21) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Catlins River Mouth in the next 16 days are 5.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 28) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 27) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3PM (Mon 21st Sep)4.5ft (1.4m) 15s
Best Surf 3AM (Tue 22nd Sep)13ft (4.0m) 15s
Most Powerful10AM (Mon 28th Sep)18ft (5.5m) 16s

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


Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Mon night. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon afternoon, min 3°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Mon afternoon, light winds from the W by Tue night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat afternoon, min 6°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, fresh winds from the W by Sat night).

Monday
21
Tuesday
22
Wednesday
23
Thursday
24
Friday
25
Saturday
26
Sunday
27
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
2
4
2
4
3
!
!
2
3
3
2
0
2
2
1
1
2
0
!
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.5
SSW
15
1.4
SSW
15
1.7
SSW
15
2
SSW
16
2.4
SSW
15
3
SSW
15
3
SSW
16
4
SW
15
3.5
SW
15
1.5
SSW
15
1.9
SSW
15
1.7
SSW
14
1.5
SSW
13
1.4
SSW
13
0.8
SSW
12
0.7
ESE
13
0.7
ESE
13
0.6
ESE
12
1.5
SW
11
2.2
SW
12
4.5
SSW
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
924
818
1241
1875
2650
4122
3895
7620
5894
1037
1568
1083
767
604
193
156
154
117
515
1336
6184
Wind (km/h)
25
NNW
20
NW
25
W
25
NW
30
W
25
WSW
15
W
25
WSW
20
W
20
WNW
25
W
10
WSW
5
ENE
15
NE
10
N
10
N
15
NNE
15
N
20
W
35
SW
25
W
Wind State
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
High Tide
10:58AM2.06m
11:21PM2.06m
11:50AM2.10m
00:10AM2.12m
12:35PM2.17m
00:52AM2.20m
1:16PM2.24m
1:31AM2.29m
1:55PM2.32m
2:09AM2.37m
2:33PM2.39m
2:47AM2.44m
3:11PM2.44m
Low Tide
5:14PM1.18m
5:38AM1.06m
6:07PM1.08m
6:26AM0.96m
6:50PM0.97m
7:08AM0.87m
7:28PM0.88m
7:47AM0.79m
8:05PM0.80m
8:26AM0.73m
8:43PM0.74m
9:06AM0.70m
9:23PM0.71m
clear
rain showers
rain showers
clear
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:33
6:31
6:28
6:26
6:24
6:22
7:20
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:36
6:37
6:37
6:39
6:40
6:42
7:43
 mm
2
3
5
4
1
1
3
9
4
3
2
Temp °C
17
18
7
11
6
6
7
9
8
11
11
9
8
8
8
13
15
13
8
5
5
Feels °C
11
14
1
4
-2
-2
1
3
3
5
5
5
5
4
4
9
11
9
3
-4
-3
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
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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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