Surf Forecasts:
Cobden Beach - The Channel surf forecast from 9 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 13 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 8s period, NNW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 15 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s period, W swell with 2,475 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 10 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 16s period with WSW swell.
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 Friday (Jul 10) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 16s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Cobden Beach - The Channel in the next 16 days are 2.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy 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 (Jul 10) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Fri 10th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Mon 13th Jul) | 8ft (2.4m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cobden Beach - The Channel over the next 16 days.
G’day, Rusty here. We’ve got a solid run of surf coming up at Cobden Beach - The Channel, starting Thursday the 9th. The water’s sitting at 56°, which is about normal for this time of year, so nothing weird going on there.
First up, Thursday afternoon the 9th brings a clean 5ft swell from the WSW with a 14-second period, and a gentle offshore breeze from the ESE. The energy’s pumping at 1261, and the conditions are excellent for experienced surfers. This is a standout for the start of the period.
Friday the 10th is a beauty too. Morning sees a 4ft WSW swell, 16-second period, and a cross-off breeze. By the afternoon, it turns glassy with an ESE wind at 3 mph, and the same 4ft swell. Really clean, and the energy’s solid at 637. Saturday the 11th keeps the good times rolling with 4ft WSW swell, glassy conditions in the afternoon, and a calm sea. Sunday the 12th is still clean in the morning with a 4ft WSW swell.
Now, Monday the 13th we get a shift. The swell goes to 6ft from the NNW but with a short 7-second period, and the wind is cross-off, but the energy is lower at 404. Not the best quality. Tuesday the 14th is messy with rain and cross-onshore winds. Wednesday the 15th sees a big jump – 7ft from the W with a 15-second period, and it’s too big for this break, with energy at 2209. Thursday the 16th is still too big at 7ft, but the wind is clean. This chunk from the 15th to the 16th is only for experts if they’re keen, but it’s really pushing the limits here.
Friday the 17th we’re back in the zone. Morning brings a 5ft WSW swell, 14-second period, and a clean cross-off breeze. Afternoon goes glassy with a 4ft swell. Saturday the 18th is small at 3ft in the morning, but the afternoon glass-off with a 3ft WSW swell and a 16-second period is a real treat. Sunday the 19th is another too-big event – 10ft from the NNW, energy at 3306. That’s for experts only. Monday the 20th afternoon is the real standout here: 7ft from the NNW, 12-second period, glassy conditions, and rated excellent for experienced surfers. Energy’s at 1544.
Tuesday the 21st is clean and dropping off, with 5ft from the NNW in the morning. Wednesday the 22nd we get a fun little 5ft WSW swell with glassy conditions in the afternoon. Thursday the 23rd is tiny, 3ft, and very ordinary. Friday the 24th brings a surprise – a 3ft WSW swell but with a very long 19-second period, and clean conditions. That’s a rare treat for a small day, and the energy’s at 695.
Overall, the best on offer is Thursday afternoon the 9th for the clean, solid 5ft, and Monday the 20th afternoon for the glassy 7ft with real punch. Crowds are rare here, so you’ll likely have it quiet.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 10°C on Sat afternoon, min 2°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 61mm), heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 13°C on Tue afternoon, min 7°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thu 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 14 | WSW 18 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | NNW 7 | NNW 8 | NW 10 | NNW 9 | W 13 | WNW 11 | W 15 | W 14 | W 15 | W 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 874 | 521 | 758 | 628 | 456 | 797 | 768 | 758 | 666 | 551 | 346 | 248 | 489 | 1639 | 592 | 331 | 1121 | 2068 | 2475 | 2246 | 2299 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | on | cross | on | glassy | glassy | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:39PM2.81m | 6:09AM2.91m | 6:47PM2.87m | 7:17AM2.98m | 7:53PM2.99m | 8:22AM3.10m | 8:55PM3.16m | 9:25AM3.23m | 9:53PM3.33m | 10:23AM3.35m | 10:46PM3.47m | 11:16AM3.43m | 11:37PM3.54m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:53PM1.09m | 12:27PM1.03m | 1:01AM1.02m | 1:35PM0.97m | 2:08AM0.90m | 2:41PM0.88m | 3:10AM0.75m | 3:41PM0.76m | 4:07AM0.60m | 4:35PM0.64m | 5:00AM0.50m | 5:26PM0.57m | 5:51AM0.46m | ||||||||
 |  | | | | | |  | |  |  | | |  |  | |  |  |  | | | |
 | — | — | 8:03 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 |
 | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:21 | — | 5:22 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 42 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
Temp °C | 9 | 3 | 7 | 9 | 5 | 8 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 10 |
Feels °C | 5 | -3 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | NNW 7 | NNW 8 | NW 10 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | WNW 11 | W 15 | W 14 | W 15 | W 16 |
| kJ | 874 | 521 | 758 | 628 | 456 | 797 | 768 | 758 | 666 | 551 | 346 | 248 | 489 | 1639 | 592 | 177 | 1121 | 2068 | 2475 | 2246 | 2299 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 19 | WSW 18 | — | W 22 | WSW 19 | — | — | — | — | — | N 12 | WSW 14 | W 14 | W 21 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | W 16 | WSW 20 | — | — | N 6 |
| kJ | 387 | 516 | — | 9 | 125 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 156 | 100 | 9 | 160 | 173 | 318 | 131 | — | — | 7 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 13 | W 13 | WSW 22 | NNE 7 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 82 | 331 | 91 | 10 | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 3 | ESE 3 | ESE 3 | — | ENE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 2 | 3 | 2 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 202 | 0 | 0 | 48 | 0 | 128 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Best forecast wave conditions in West Coast South Island | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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