Charleston Surf Break

Lat Long: 41.90° S 171.44° E

Issued: 11 am 12 Jun 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Charleston sea temperature is
15.0° C

1.1°C warmer than normal for this time of year

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


Charleston surf forecast from 12 Jun 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 12 Jun, 9PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 14s period, WSW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 15 Jun, 6PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, W swell with 4,817 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 12 Jun, 9PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 14s period with WSW swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Charleston this week:

The surf forecast for Charleston over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Jun 12) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 18s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Charleston in the next 16 days are 3.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jun 15) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Friday (Jun 19) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Fri 12th Jun)6ft (1.8m) 14s
Best Surf 9PM (Fri 12th Jun)6ft (1.8m) 14s
Most Powerful 6PM (Mon 15th Jun)10ft (3.0m) 16s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Charleston over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Fri night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat afternoon, min 11°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 41mm), heaviest during Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon morning, min 9°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
12
Saturday
13
Sunday
14
Monday
15
Tuesday
16
Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
0
1
2
3
4
3
1
2
0
4
3
2
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.7
WSW
16
2.1
WSW
15
1.6
WSW
14
1.9
WSW
16
1.9
WSW
15
1.8
WSW
14
1.6
WSW
13
1.1
WSW
17
1.4
WSW
16
2.4
W
9
2.5
W
14
3
WSW
15
2.5
WSW
13
2.4
WSW
13
2.2
WSW
12
1.1
WSW
12
1.2
WSW
11
1.9
WSW
13
1.8
WSW
12
1.7
WSW
12
1.5
WSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1393
1873
1001
1644
1505
1249
854
719
894
921
2633
3783
2373
2005
1430
317
340
1236
986
811
911
Wind (km/h)
5
SSE
10
SW
10
NE
10
NE
10
NNE
0
NNE
0
E
5
NE
20
WNW
20
NNW
20
N
10
SW
5
SE
15
SW
20
SW
5
S
20
SW
0
N
10
ENE
15
SW
10
SE
Wind State
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
glassy
cross-off
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
off
cross
cross-on
glassy
cross
glassy
cross-off
cross
cross-off
High Tide
8:08PM2.68m
8:34AM2.78m
9:02PM2.83m
9:30AM2.89m
9:55PM2.95m
10:25AM2.96m
10:48PM3.04m
11:18AM2.98m
11:40PM3.07m
12:11PM2.94m
00:32AM3.05m
1:03PM2.86m
1:25AM2.97m
Low Tide
1:52PM0.33m
2:19AM0.31m
2:48PM0.23m
3:15AM0.17m
3:42PM0.15m
4:10AM0.05m
4:35PM0.09m
5:05AM-0.02m
5:28PM0.07m
5:58AM-0.03m
6:20PM0.10m
6:51AM0.02m
7:12PM0.16m
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
mod rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:58
7:58
7:58
8:00
8:00
8:00
8:00
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:08
5:08
5:08
5:08
5:08
5:08
5:08
 mm
7
3
2
9
9
13
13
4
2
Temp °C
13
13
12
14
15
14
13
14
14
14
13
12
11
11
12
12
12
10
11
11
10
Feels °C
11
11
11
13
14
14
13
14
13
11
10
9
9
7
8
8
7
8
10
8
7
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.7
WSW
16
2.1
WSW
15
1.6
WSW
14
1.9
WSW
16
1.9
WSW
15
1.8
WSW
14
1.6
WSW
13
1.4
WSW
13
1.4
WSW
16
2.4
W
9
2.5
W
14
3
WSW
15
2.5
WSW
13
2.4
WSW
13
2.2
WSW
12
1.7
WSW
7
1.5
WSW
8
1.9
WSW
13
1.8
WSW
12
1.7
WSW
12
1.5
WSW
14
Energy kJ
1393
1873
1001
1644
1505
1249
854
653
894
921
2633
3783
2373
2005
1430
302
259
1236
986
811
911
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
WSW
17
1
W
8
0.9
WNW
8
0.9
WNW
6
1
WSW
18
1.1
WSW
17
1.4
WSW
15
1.3
WSW
18
1.1
W
12
1.1
WSW
12
1.2
WSW
11
0.4
WSW
19
0.6
W
17
0.7
WSW
16
1.3
WSW
7
Energy kJ
772
134
110
72
670
719
773
983
365
317
340
122
220
269
154
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
W
24
0.2
WSW
22
0.5
WSW
20
0.7
WNW
7
0.1
SW
22
1
WSW
18
0.1
W
22
0.2
WSW
21
0.1
N
12
0.1
N
12
0.1
N
11
Energy kJ
11
50
223
42
18
670
9
43
3
3
2
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
WNW
6
1.6
W
7
Energy kJ
100
247
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
1
1
1
4
4
4
1
2
2
4
3
3
3
Distance (km)
0
15
0
0
0
0
0
0
184
184
166
15
0
15
180
0
176
0
0
15
0
Best forecast wave conditions in West Coast South Island
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
8
8
5
4
4
2
2
4
3
3
3
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
9
4
5
4
4
2
5
4
4
5
3
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
6
9
4
5
5
4
4
4
5
9
5
5
5
5
5
5
4
4
5
4
4
  • 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 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 16 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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