Surf Forecasts:
Cobden Breakwater surf forecast from 27 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 10s period, NNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 13s period, WSW swell with 9,159 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 10s period with NNW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Cobden Breakwater this week:
The surf forecast for Cobden Breakwater over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 4.5m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 14s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Cobden Breakwater in the next 16 days are 5.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 31) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 10s period and expected on Friday (Aug 28) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 15ft (4.5m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 15ft (4.5m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Mon 31st Aug) | 16ft (5.0m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cobden Breakwater over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here, and I’ll be straight with you – the next fortnight at Cobden Breakwater is a mixed bag with plenty of waiting involved. The first few days are pretty much a write-off for paddle surfing, with a massive slug of heavy, onshore energy rolling through. We’ve got a 12 ft swell from the NNW slamming in on Friday morning the 28th, with a moderate northerly wind, and that’s carrying combined wave energy of 2638 – that’s solid, powerful stuff – but it’s just too big and messy. The swell drops a bit through the weekend, but strong onshores keep it ugly. On Sunday the 30th, a 8 ft westerly swell at 14 seconds arrives, but it’s pinned down by 12 mph westerly winds right on the nose, and energy’s at 2404. That’s one to skip.
The first real window that gets me excited is Wednesday morning, September 2nd. We get a drop to a 7 ft swell from the west with a long 14-second period, and the wind goes glassy – literally a slight air from the NE. That’s pristine conditions for Cobden Breakwater, a breakwater setup. The water’s sitting around 54°F, which is pretty average for this time of year, so you’re not dealing with any weird temperature anomalies. The combined energy is 1929, so there’s plenty of grunt in the water, but the long period means the sets will be clean and well-spaced. This break can handle that west swell, especially with optimum direction being WSW, and the offshore wind is ideal. It’s too big for beginners though at over 5 ft – this one’s for experienced surfers only. Great session on the cards.
Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th of September also show promise. Friday morning the 4th is a standout for me – we’ve got a 6 ft swell from the WSW, 14-second period, and a light ENE offshore breeze at 6 mph. That’s clean, lined-up waves at Cobden Breakwater. The energy sits around 1602, so it’s moderate still, but with the offshore flow and that solid period, the waves will have shape and push. Crowds are rare here, which is a bonus. A bit of a gap then until Monday morning September 7th – that’s the other real highlight. Glassy conditions again with a light ENE breeze, an 8 ft swell from the west at 14 seconds, and combined energy of 2431. That’s a meaty, powerful groundswell pushing in clean. Again, this is expert territory due to the size, but if you’ve got the skills, it’s going to be memorable.
After that, the swell builds back up heavily through the second week with a lot of onshore wind. The morning of September 11th shows a 13 ft west swell at a very long 17 seconds, with glassy winds, but that’s just enormous for this break – combined energy is a massive 9688. That’s extreme. Only for the absolute best, and even then, be ready for a beating. Overall, the standout sessions are Wednesday September 2nd, Friday September 4th, and Monday September 7th. The rest, you’re better off taking a walk. Keep an eye on it though – forecasts change.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 74mm), heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri morning, min 9°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Sat night, strong winds from the WSW by Sun afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Wed afternoon, min 9°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Sun night, calm by Wed morning). | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | ||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 10 | NW 11 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | WSW 9 | W 20 | W 18 | W 13 | WSW 9 | WSW 12 | W 14 | W 14 | W 10 | WSW 11 | W 13 | W 13 | W 13 | W 14 | W 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
2331 | 1923 | 1893 | 456 | 221 | 276 | 399 | 1919 | 2630 | 7035 | 8801 | 5890 | 3796 | 3558 | 3035 | 2199 | 1419 | 1371 | 703 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 10:29PM3.22m | 10:50AM3.20m | 11:02PM3.31m | 11:23AM3.26m | 11:35PM3.37m | 11:57AM3.29m | 00:09AM3.38m | 12:31PM3.27m | 00:45AM3.33m | 1:07PM3.21m | 1:25AM3.23m | 1:48PM3.10m | 2:10AM3.09m | ||||||
Low Tide | 4:40AM0.81m | 4:56PM0.78m | 5:14AM0.69m | 5:29PM0.69m | 5:47AM0.62m | 6:02PM0.65m | 6:22AM0.61m | 6:36PM0.67m | 6:59AM0.65m | 7:15PM0.73m | 7:40AM0.75m | 7:58PM0.84m | |||||||
— | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | |
— | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:09 | — | |
mm | 39 | 22 | 4 | 3 | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | — | — | 2 | — | 4 | 3 |
Temp °C | 12 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 |
Feels °C | 5 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 4 | -1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 10 | NW 11 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | W 18 | W 16 | N 9 | N 8 | — | — | — | W 22 | — | W 13 | W 13 | W 14 | W 8 |
2331 | 1923 | 1893 | 456 | 221 | 116 | 399 | 427 | 26 | 6 | — | — | — | 36 | — | 2199 | 1419 | 1371 | 703 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 9 | WNW 8 | N 8 | NNW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 15 |
203 | 141 | 137 | 205 | 218 | 73 | 42 | 19 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 225 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 23 | W 22 | WNW 8 | W 20 | WSW 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | 10 | 38 | 105 | 276 | 125 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 10 | — | WNW 9 | — | WSW 8 | W 7 | W 13 | WSW 9 | WSW 12 | W 14 | W 14 | W 10 | WSW 11 | W 13 | — | — | — | — |
— | 1209 | — | 415 | — | 105 | 226 | 1919 | 2630 | 7035 | 8801 | 5890 | 3796 | 3558 | 3035 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 136 | 156 | 156 | 80 | 48 | 48 | 85 | 190 | 210 | 153 | 153 | 156 | 570 | 169 | 153 | 48 | 0 | 122 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in West Coast South Island | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Cobden Breakwater Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Cobden Breakwater provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Cobden Breakwater can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Cobden Breakwater 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 Breakwater) 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 Breakwater 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 Breakwater is 172 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.











