Charleston surf break

Charleston surfForecast / West Coast South Island / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Tuesday 09 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
17.0° C
(Which is 1.4°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 10) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Charleston in the next 12 days are 2.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Dec 17) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.2m 7s period and expected on Monday (Dec 15) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Wed 10th Dec)4.5ft (1.4m) 13s
Best Surf10PM (Mon 15th Dec)11ft (3.5m) 9s
Most Powerful 1AM (Wed 17th Dec)8ft (2.5m) 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 Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat afternoon, fresh winds from the NNE by Mon morning).

Tue
09
Wednesday
10
Thursday
11
Friday
12
Saturday
13
Sunday
14
Monday
15
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
2
0
3
2
0
2
2
1
4
2
2
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.5
WSW
1.4
WSW
1.9
WSW
1.9
WSW
1.9
WSW
2.3
WSW
2.5
WSW
2
WSW
2.5
WSW
2.4
WSW
2.5
WSW
2.2
WSW
1.8
WSW
1.5
WSW
1.3
WSW
1.1
WSW
0.8
WSW
0.8
WSW
0.9
WSW
2.5
WNW
1.8
WNW
Period(s) (?)12131312121413131310111212111111111514109
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)6095761156106998521072253137724121140170612038925534082851452422931209549
Wind
(km/h)
5
WNW
5
S
10
SSW
20
SW
10
S
15
SW
25
SW
25
SW
20
SW
20
WSW
10
ENE
10
N
10
WNW
5
ESE
10
NNE
10
NNW
15
NE
25
NNE
30
NNE
35
N
15
SSW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
glassglasscrosscross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
crosscrosscross-
on
cross-
off
crossonoffcrosscross-
on
cross-
off
crosscrosscrosscross
High Tide
/ height (m)
3:19AM
2.60
3:42PM
2.68
4:15AM
2.46
4:39PM
2.53
5:14AM
2.34
5:38PM
2.40
6:15AM
2.28
6:38PM
2.32
7:14AM
2.26
7:36PM
2.29
8:08AM
2.29
8:29PM
2.31
8:57AM
2.35
Low Tide
/ height (m)
9:07PM
0.25
9:27AM
0.42
10:03PM
0.40
10:23AM
0.55
11:00PM
0.53
11:22AM
0.66
11:58PM
0.63
12:22PM
0.74
12:55AM
0.68
1:21PM
0.76
1:50AM
0.70
2:17PM
0.75
2:41AM
0.68
Tue
09
Wednesday
10
Thursday
11
Friday
12
Saturday
13
Sunday
14
Monday
15
Sunrise--5:52--5:52--5:52--5:52--5:52--5:52--5:52
Sunset9:00--9:00--9:00--9:01--9:02--9:04--9:04--
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
Rain (mm)
----------------2334014
Temp. °C181618181516161315141216161417171717171714
Feels °C (?)1816161513141189101113141315151413131312
  • 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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