Charleston surf break

Charleston surfForecast / West Coast South Island / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 pm Thursday 09 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 slightly warmer than usual)

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 (Apr 10) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 14s 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 4.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Apr 17) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 13s period and expected on Friday (Apr 10) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Fri 10th Apr)5ft (1.6m) 14s
Best Surf 3PM (Mon 13th Apr)5.5ft (1.7m) 12s
Most Powerful 3AM (Fri 17th Apr)15ft (4.5m) 11s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Some drizzle, heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 20°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 64mm), heaviest during Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun night, min 12°C on Tue afternoon). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thu
16
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
2
3
2
0
1
2
0
2
2
4
3
2
2
1
0
0
2
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.8
WSW
1.8
WSW
1.8
WSW
1.4
WSW
0.7
WSW
0.7
WSW
0.7
WSW
1.2
W
1.3
W
1.3
WSW
1.5
W
1.7
W
2.3
W
2.3
W
2.3
W
2.5
W
3
W
3
W
3
W
2.5
WSW
3.5
W
Period(s) (?)13121110139121211121112141313121111101010
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)19588779941114986155376403470533884210717561793200022611916166812492804
Wind
(km/h)
10
S
5
SSE
10
SW
5
SE
5
E
10
SW
10
ESE
10
S
20
SW
15
SSW
15
NE
5
NW
10
NNW
10
W
15
N
20
WNW
25
SW
25
WSW
15
WNW
20
WNW
35
W
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
glassglasscross-
on
offcross-
off
crosscrosscross-
off
glasscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
oncross-
on
cross-
on
ononcross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
3:50AM
2.14
4:29PM
2.06
5:04AM
2.11
5:46PM
2.07
6:16AM
2.18
Low Tide
/ height (m)
9:35PM
0.94
10:14AM
0.94
10:44PM
0.98
11:27AM
0.93
11:56PM
0.94
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thu
16
Sunrise-6:58--7:00--7:01--7:01--7:03--7:03--7:05-
Sunset--6:10--6:08--6:07--6:06--6:04--6:02--6:00
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
heavy rain
thunderstorm
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
light rain
Rain (mm)
------1---22941726131655
Temp. °C141616131818162019161616141414131414151414
Feels °C (?)121415121616141916131416131211810910107
  • 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 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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