Charleston surf break

Charleston surfForecast / West Coast South Island / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Friday 02 Jan 2026 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
17.3° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)


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 Friday (Jan 02) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Charleston in the next 12 days are 1.1m 14s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jan 05) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 15s period and expected on Tuesday (Jan 06) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Fri 2nd Jan)3.5ft (1.1m) 12s
Best Surf10PM (Fri 2nd Jan)3.5ft (1.1m) 12s
Most Powerful10AM (Mon 5th Jan)3.5ft (1.1m) 14s

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

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri afternoon, min 14°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed afternoon, min 13°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Fri
02
Saturday
03
Sunday
04
Monday
05
Tuesday
06
Wednesday
07
Thursday
08
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
2
1
2
1
1
2
2
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
2
0
0
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.9
WSW
1.1
WSW
1.1
WSW
1.2
WSW
1.2
WSW
0.8
WSW
0.8
WSW
0.9
WSW
1.1
WSW
1.1
WSW
0.9
WSW
0.9
WSW
0.8
WSW
0.8
WSW
0.8
WSW
0.9
WSW
1
WSW
0.9
WSW
0.8
WSW
0.8
WSW
1.6
W
Period(s) (?)1310109111716151414131312121212111110108
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)265281235227343336295348494439265261184180177218230176133130302
Wind
(km/h)
10
WSW
5
S
5
NE
5
WSW
0
ESE
5
WNW
10
W
10
SSW
5
WNW
10
W
10
SSW
10
SW
20
SW
15
S
15
SW
25
SW
10
S
10
SW
10
WSW
5
ENE
5
NE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
glassglasscross-
on
glassoncross-
on
cross-
off
glasscross-
on
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
crosscross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
glasscross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
10:49PM
2.86
11:12AM
2.97
11:42PM
2.92
12:03PM
3.05
12:31AM
2.94
12:51PM
3.07
1:19AM
2.90
1:39PM
3.02
2:05AM
2.81
2:25PM
2.92
2:51AM
2.69
3:10PM
2.76
3:37AM
2.55
Low Tide
/ height (m)
4:59AM
0.18
5:28PM
0.05
5:50AM
0.11
6:20PM
-0.01
6:39AM
0.08
7:09PM
-0.01
7:27AM
0.11
7:56PM
0.05
8:13AM
0.18
8:42PM
0.16
8:59AM
0.31
9:28PM
0.31
9:45AM
0.45
Fri
02
Saturday
03
Sunday
04
Monday
05
Tuesday
06
Wednesday
07
Thursday
08
Sunrise--6:03--6:03--6:05--6:05--6:07--6:07--6:09
Sunset9:12--9:12--9:12--9:12--9:12--9:12--9:12--
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
Rain (mm)
---------------------
Temp. °C181616181617181517171517171417181518181720
Feels °C (?)171516171617171416161414131115151317171920
  • 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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