Cobden Beach - The Channel surf break

Cobden Beach - The Channel surfForecast / West Coast South Island / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 pm Sunday 03 May 2026 NZST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Cobden Beach - The Channel surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Cobden Beach - The Channel sea temperature is
15.5° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Cobden Beach - The Channel this week:

The surf forecast for Cobden Beach - The Channel over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (May 04) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 14s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Cobden Beach - The Channel in the next 16 days are 6.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (May 10) 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 0.5m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (May 06) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Mon 4th May)3ft (0.9m) 13s
Best Surf 3AM (Thu 7th May)10ft (3.0m) 9s
Most Powerful 6PM (Sun 10th May)20ft (6.0m) 14s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cobden Beach - The Channel over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed afternoon, min 8°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 114mm), heaviest during Fri morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 11°C on Sat morning). Winds increasing (calm on Thu morning, strong winds from the NNW by Fri night).

Monday
4
Tuesday
5
Wednesday
6
Thursday
7
Friday
8
Saturday
9
Sun
10
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
0
1
2
1
1
0
1
0
3
3
2
0
0
0
0
!
!
0
0
Swell
Height Map
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
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<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
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Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
WSW
13
0.9
WSW
13
0.7
WSW
13
0.7
WSW
13
0.7
WSW
14
0.5
WSW
14
0.4
WSW
13
0.3
WSW
15
0.4
WSW
16
2.5
NNW
9
2
NNW
9
1.6
NNW
8
1.1
N
8
1.1
N
7
3
N
8
4.5
NNW
11
4
W
10
4
W
11
4
W
13
5.5
WNW
10
6
W
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
298
231
165
165
215
104
58
45
81
1107
643
354
157
126
1190
4668
2626
4209
5922
5539
12948
Wind (km/h)
10
ESE
10
ESE
10
SW
10
ESE
10
ESE
5
WSW
10
E
20
ESE
10
ENE
30
NNE
5
SW
5
W
10
E
20
N
40
N
45
NNW
20
NNW
35
WSW
20
WSW
35
WSW
35
WSW
off
off
cross
off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
glassy
glassy
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
High Tide
11:45PM3.13m
12:07PM3.06m
00:20AM3.06m
12:44PM2.96m
00:57AM2.96m
1:24PM2.85m
1:38AM2.84m
2:11PM2.74m
2:27AM2.73m
3:05PM2.63m
3:26AM2.64m
4:07PM2.57m
4:32AM2.61m
5:12PM2.57m
Low Tide
5:57AM0.91m
6:16PM0.97m
6:31AM0.99m
6:52PM1.05m
7:10AM1.07m
7:33PM1.13m
7:54AM1.16m
8:19PM1.21m
8:48AM1.23m
9:13PM1.26m
9:51AM1.25m
10:17PM1.27m
10:57AM1.21m
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
clear
rain showers
heavy rain
heavy rain
rain showers
heavy rain
rain showers
mod rain
rain showers
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:26
7:28
7:28
7:30
7:31
7:31
7:33
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:36
5:34
5:32
5:31
5:30
5:30
5:29
18
4
35
24
12
14
7
9
2
3
Temp °C
10
11
12
10
10
11
9
13
16
16
16
17
13
17
17
16
12
12
14
13
11
9
9
10
9
9
10
7
9
14
15
17
17
12
13
11
9
8
7
7
7
3
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
WSW
13
0.9
WSW
13
0.7
WSW
13
0.7
WSW
13
0.7
WSW
14
0.5
WSW
14
0.4
WSW
13
0.3
WSW
15
0.6
NNW
6
0.4
WSW
15
2
NNW
9
1.6
NNW
8
1.1
N
8
1.1
N
7
0.4
WSW
14
0.6
WSW
12
2.5
NNW
10
2.3
NNW
11
1.7
NW
11
Energy kJ
298
231
165
165
215
104
58
45
26
76
643
354
157
126
66
117
1306
1260
677
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
N
14
0.2
N
14
0.1
N
13
0.1
N
13
0.1
N
13
0.1
N
12
0.1
N
12
0.3
WSW
12
0.4
WSW
16
0.4
WSW
14
0.7
WNW
9
0.8
WSW
8
0.4
WNW
7
0.4
WNW
9
0.2
W
20
Energy kJ
15
14
3
3
3
3
3
28
81
70
77
90
18
29
30
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
N
10
0.1
N
6
0.1
N
7
0.1
W
16
0.2
WNW
4
0.1
N
10
0.3
WNW
10
0.6
WSW
10
0.5
WNW
7
0.4
WSW
7
0.1
SW
7
Energy kJ
2
1
1
5
2
2
19
80
31
20
2
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
NE
6
0.2
NNE
7
0.5
ESE
3
0.2
E
3
2.5
NNW
9
3
N
8
4.5
NNW
11
4
W
10
4
W
11
4
W
13
5.5
WNW
10
6
W
13
Energy kJ
2
4
5
1
1107
1190
4668
2626
4209
5922
5539
12948
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
3
3
2
1
1
4
2
2
1
1
1
Distance (km)
0
0
48
0
0
0
0
7
0
190
0
0
0
156
206
328
210
153
153
153
177
Best forecast wave conditions in West Coast South Island
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
3
3
2
2
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
4
2
3
3
2
3
3
4
2
4
4
3
2
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
5
5
5
5
5
6
8
6
5
6
6
7
7
5
5
5
4
6
  • 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 Cobden Beach - The Channel Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Cobden Beach - The Channel provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Cobden Beach - The Channel can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Cobden Beach - The Channel 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 (Cobden Beach - The Channel) 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 Cobden Beach - The Channel 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.

Cobden Beach is 173 km (107 miles) from the city of Christchurch. If you plan a holiday in West Coast South Island, look for hotels and other accommodation in Christchurch. Christchurch has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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