Charleston surf break

Charleston surfForecast / West Coast South Island / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 pm Saturday 18 Apr 2026 NZST
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
16.9° C
(Which is 1.1°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 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Apr 19) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 13s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Charleston in the next 16 days are 3.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Apr 19) 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 1.4m 9s period and expected on Sunday (Apr 19) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Sun 19th Apr)10ft (3.0m) 13s
Best Surf 9AM (Sun 19th Apr)11ft (3.5m) 15s
Most Powerful12PM (Sun 19th Apr)11ft (3.5m) 14s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Moderate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon morning, min 11°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed morning, min 8°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Sat
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
!
!
4
3
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
2
2
2
1
3
3
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
2.5
WSW
3
W
3.5
W
3.5
W
3
W
1.8
W
1.2
WSW
0.9
WSW
0.6
WSW
0.5
WSW
0.6
WSW
0.5
WSW
0.5
WSW
0.5
WSW
0.5
WSW
0.7
WSW
0.6
WSW
0.9
WSW
0.8
WSW
1
W
1.6
WSW
Period(s) (?)121315141413131212111114131218131514131716
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)1615302045894529370910874332111066995118101891761581792891986171150
Wind
(km/h)
5
WNW
15
NE
10
NNE
20
NE
10
ESE
15
SE
20
SSE
25
SSE
15
S
20
S
20
SSE
20
SSE
20
SSE
15
ESE
10
SE
5
S
10
ESE
5
ESE
10
WSW
10
E
5
SE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
glasscross-
off
crosscross-
off
offoffcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offoffcross-
off
offoffcross-
on
cross-
off
glass
High Tide
/ height (m)
11:21PM
3.07
11:44AM
3.09
12:06AM
3.04
12:31PM
2.99
12:54AM
2.95
1:22PM
2.83
1:46AM
2.81
2:19PM
2.64
2:46AM
2.65
3:25PM
2.46
3:55AM
2.51
4:40PM
2.34
5:11AM
2.44
Low Tide
/ height (m)
5:33AM
-0.06
5:56PM
-0.02
6:20AM
-0.01
6:43PM
0.10
7:10AM
0.10
7:35PM
0.26
8:06AM
0.27
8:32PM
0.44
9:09AM
0.43
9:37PM
0.60
10:20AM
0.55
10:49PM
0.68
11:34AM
0.59
Sat
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Sunrise--7:09--7:09--7:11--7:11--7:13--7:13--7:15
Sunset5:58--5:57--5:54--5:53--5:52--5:51--5:49--
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
2103------------------
Temp. °C141315151316151212131114141013141014141113
Feels °C (?)14111111111210777699591161211811
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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 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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