Cobden Breakwater Surf Break

Lat Long: 42.44° S 171.20° E

Cobden Breakwater Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 23 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cobden Breakwater sea temperature is
12.5° C
0.1° 

Cobden Breakwater surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Cobden Breakwater surf forecast from 23 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 13s period, W swell with cross-onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 14s period, W swell with 7,110 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 24 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 9s period with W 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 (Jul 24) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 1.5m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Cobden Breakwater in the next 16 days are 4.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 7s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Fri 24th Jul)7ft (2.1m) 9s
Best Surf 9AM (Sat 25th Jul)15ft (4.5m) 13s
Most Powerful12PM (Sat 25th Jul)15ft (4.5m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for the next couple of weeks.

Overall, we’ve got a run of solid, clean swell coming through for Cobden Breakwater. The water temp is sittin’ around 54.5°F, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there. The first week is where the action is, with a few standout sessions that are gonna have you frothin’. The second week gets a bit more iffy, but there’s still some fun to be had.

We kick off on Thursday, 23 July. The morning is lookin’ tidy with a 4.6ft swell from the WSW, a solid 13-second period, and a cross-offshore breeze. The combined energy is moderate at 700, and the waves are gonna be clean. It’s a solid start, but the real magic is still a few days off. That afternoon the wind swings and gets a bit cross, so the quality drops off.

Friday, 24 July, the morning is clean again with a 4.6ft swell and a cross-off breeze, but the period has dropped to just 8 seconds – that’s a short-period wind swell, so the waves will be a bit crumbly and less powerful. The afternoon turns into a write-off with a strong onshore wind and choppy conditions.

Now, the standout. Saturday, 25 July, is a monster. The swell is pumping at 14.8ft in the morning and 13.1ft in the afternoon, both from the west, with a very long 15-second period. The combined energy is massive – 6724 in the morning and 6361 in the afternoon – that’s strong to very strong wave energy. The wind is light and clean, with the afternoon going glassy. But here’s the thing: this is way too big for this spot. This is expert-only territory. If you’re not a seasoned charger, stay on the beach and watch the show. The waves are gonna be heavy and powerful, and with that long period, they’ll be stacking up on the breakwater. This is a proper big-wave session.

Sunday, 26 July, is the best all-rounder. The swell drops to a much more manageable 6.9ft in the morning, still from the west, with a 14-second period. Combined energy is 1744 – still strong. The wind is a clean cross-offshore. By the afternoon, it’s a dream: 5.9ft, 13-second period, and glassy conditions. That is the pick of the weekend for experienced surfers, and the best on offer for the whole forecast. The waves will be clean, powerful, and well-shaped. This is a day to clear your schedule.

Monday, 27 July, keeps the fun going with a 5.9ft morning swell and clean conditions. The energy is dropping to 887, but it’s still a very good session. The afternoon gets a bit onshore and questionable.

Tuesday, 28 July, is a nice smaller day. The morning has 4.6ft clean waves, and the afternoon goes dead flat calm – glassy with no wind. Energy is low at 365, but it’ll be a fun, mellow session.

Wednesday, 29 July, we get another glassy morning with 4.6ft swell and a 13-second period. The energy is moderate at 633. The afternoon stays clean with a cross-off breeze. Two more solid days of clean surf.

Thursday, 30 July, things get a bit bumpy. The swell is up to 7.2ft, but the wind is up too, and the periods are a mix. The morning is clean but the wind is moderate, and the afternoon gets choppy. This is getting marginal.

From Friday, 31 July, through to Sunday, 2 August, it’s a mixed bag. The swell stays in the 5.6ft to 7.2ft range, but the wind is messy – cross and cross-on. The quality is marginal. The combined energy drops from 1435 down to 401, so the power is fading. The afternoon of Sunday, 2 August, is glassy with a 3.9ft swell, but it’s small and weak.

Now into the second week. Monday, 3 August, is a weird one. The swell is tiny at 1.6ft, but the period is a massive 19 seconds. That’s a very long-period groundswell, but there’s just no size. The energy is weak at 351. It’ll be a pretty flat day, maybe a few lines for the log.

Tuesday, 4 August, is another standout for the big boys. The morning has a 7.9ft west swell, 12-second period, and clean cross-off wind. The energy is 2512 – strong. The afternoon gets a bit bigger at 8.2ft, but the wind goes onshore, making it messy. The morning session is the one for experienced surfers.

Wednesday, 5 August, is another good one for the experienced crew. The morning

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 59mm), heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 12°C on Thu morning, min 3°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Tue afternoon, min 3°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
1
3
0
4
!
!
5
4
4
4
3
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.4
WSW
13
1.3
W
13
1.3
W
9
1.4
NW
8
1.5
W
12
2.1
W
16
4.5
W
13
4
W
15
3
W
14
2.1
W
14
1.8
W
13
1.9
W
13
1.8
W
12
1.5
W
12
1.3
W
11
1.4
W
11
1.3
W
10
1.2
W
10
1.4
W
13
1.5
W
13
1.2
WSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
700
555
288
256
672
2203
6724
6361
3423
1744
1124
1163
887
607
396
442
365
296
633
749
547
Wind (km/h)
5
NE
15
NNW
25
N
10
NE
25
W
5
WNW
10
S
5
WSW
5
SE
10
SE
5
WSW
5
E
5
ESE
10
WSW
10
E
5
E
0
N
5
ESE
5
E
5
NNE
10
N
Wind State
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
on
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
on
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
6:01PM2.66m
6:36AM2.69m
7:06PM2.69m
7:37AM2.74m
8:07PM2.77m
8:32AM2.83m
8:58PM2.89m
9:20AM2.94m
9:42PM3.01m
10:02AM3.04m
10:21PM3.12m
10:41AM3.13m
10:56PM3.21m
Low Tide
11:43AM1.41m
00:20AM1.44m
12:49PM1.46m
1:25AM1.45m
1:53PM1.45m
2:22AM1.40m
2:49PM1.37m
3:11AM1.31m
3:35PM1.26m
3:53AM1.21m
4:15PM1.15m
4:31AM1.10m
4:51PM1.04m
rain showers
rain showers
heavy rain
light rain
mod rain
rain showers
light rain
light rain
part cloud
clear
clear
cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:54
7:54
7:52
7:52
7:50
7:50
7:48
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:28
5:29
5:30
5:30
5:31
5:32
5:34
 mm
2
2
25
3
9
14
3
1
6
Temp °C
12
12
12
12
10
9
8
9
7
7
8
6
9
9
8
10
12
10
11
11
12
Feels °C
9
9
8
8
7
7
5
6
4
4
5
3
7
6
5
8
11
8
9
9
10
  • 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 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.

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