Charleston surf break

Charleston surfForecast / West Coast South Island / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 am Wednesday 17 Dec 2025 NZDT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Charleston surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Charleston sea temperature is
17.4° C
(Which is 1.5°C warmer than normal for this time of year)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Charleston this week:

The surf forecast for Charleston over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Dec 17) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 4.0m and 15s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Charleston in the next 12 days are 4.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Dec 17) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Dec 23) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Wed 17th Dec)13ft (4.0m) 15s
Best Surf 7AM (Wed 17th Dec)13ft (4.0m) 15s
Most Powerful 7AM (Wed 17th Dec)13ft (4.0m) 15s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Charleston over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Moderate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon morning, min 11°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Sat morning, light winds from the S by Sun night).

Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tue
23
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
!
!
0
3
4
2
2
1
0
2
0
0
1
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
4
W
3.5
W
3.5
WSW
3
WSW
2.2
WSW
2
WSW
1.7
WSW
1.6
WSW
2.1
W
2.5
WSW
3.5
WSW
3
WSW
3
WSW
2.5
WSW
1.8
WSW
1.3
WSW
0.7
SW
0.9
WSW
0.7
WSW
1.4
WNW
2.5
NW
Period(s) (?)16141413131211111191010101091110101099
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)74285491449926581532112170465711341051229316351748110247741211215483288993
Wind
(km/h)
20
SW
10
SW
20
SW
5
SSW
5
NNW
10
SW
10
SW
10
NNE
30
WNW
25
SW
25
SW
30
WSW
20
SW
15
WSW
15
WSW
5
S
5
NNE
20
NE
30
NNW
30
NW
25
W
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crosscrosscross-
on
crossglasscross-
on
cross-
on
crossoncrosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross-
on
onon
High Tide
/ height (m)
9:41AM
2.42
10:01PM
2.43
10:22AM
2.50
10:43PM
2.50
11:02AM
2.58
11:23PM
2.55
11:41AM
2.63
12:01AM
2.59
12:19PM
2.67
12:40AM
2.60
12:57PM
2.68
1:18AM
2.59
1:35PM
2.67
Low Tide
/ height (m)
3:28AM
0.64
3:52PM
0.63
4:11AM
0.59
4:35PM
0.56
4:52AM
0.54
5:15PM
0.49
5:31AM
0.49
5:54PM
0.44
6:10AM
0.45
6:33PM
0.41
6:48AM
0.44
7:11PM
0.39
7:25AM
0.44
Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tue
23
Sunrise-5:52--5:52--5:54--5:54--5:54--5:54--5:54-
Sunset--9:06--9:07--9:07--9:07--9:07--9:08--9:08
rain showers
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
light rain
heavy rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
light rain
rain showers
mod rain
rain showers
Rain (mm)
7------2113222----54483
Temp. °C121515131516151617131313131515121614181616
Feels °C (?)812109141513141376691111101310151213
  • 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 Charleston Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Charleston provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 12 days. A general guide to surfing at Charleston can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Charleston 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 (Charleston) 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 Charleston 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.

Charleston is 167 km (104 miles) from the city of Nelson. If you plan a holiday in West Coast South Island, look for hotels and other accommodation in Nelson. Nelson has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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