Cobden Breakwater Surf Break

Lat Long: 42.44° S 171.20° E

Cobden Breakwater Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 30 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cobden Breakwater sea temperature is
12.0° C
0.5° 

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 30 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 31 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 14s period, W swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 31 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 14s period, W swell with 8,966 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 31 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 14s 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 31) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 4.5m and 14s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Cobden Breakwater in the next 16 days are 5.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 31) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 7s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 30) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Fri 31st Jul)15ft (4.5m) 14s
Best Surf 9PM (Fri 31st Jul)15ft (4.5m) 14s
Most Powerful 3PM (Fri 31st Jul)16ft (5.0m) 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 coming our way this period.

We’re starting off with a bit of a wait. The first decent chance doesn’t show up until Thursday the 30th. Before that, nothing worth paddling out for. The overall pattern is a mixed bag of clean windows and some solid, raw power that will be too messy to ride.

Our main focus for the first week is Cobden Breakwater. It’s a breakwater setup, fairly consistent, and exposed to the swell. The water temp is sitting at 54°, which is about 0.9° cooler than average for this time of year, so nothing wild, just standard winter chill.

Thursday morning, the 30th, kicks things off with a solid 4ft W swell running at 13 seconds. That’s a nice, long-period groundswell. The wind is a gentle NE breeze, offshore, keeping it clean. The combined energy is moderate at 653. It’s a decent start, but the standout is yet to come.

Thursday afternoon, though, the wind swings N and picks up to 16 mph, making it messy. Not the call.

Now, Friday the 31st is a write-off. The swell blows up to 15ft to 16ft, but it’s a raw, onshore mess with 22 mph winds. That’s expert-only territory, and even then, the conditions are poor. The combined energy hits 3913 and then 8966, which is very strong, but it’s just not rideable for paddle surfing. This setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

The real standout of the entire period is Saturday the 1st of August. The morning starts with clear skies, 7ft of W swell, 11-second period, and a gentle cross-off breeze from the ESE. The combined energy is a solid 941. It’s clean, it’s got power, and it’s great for intermediates. But the afternoon is where it gets special. The wind drops to a dead glassy calm, 3 mph from the WSW, and the swell settles to a clean 5ft with a 10-second period. Glassy conditions are a major positive. That’s prime surf.

Sunday the 2nd is a nice, relaxed follow-up. Morning has 3ft with a light cross-off, and the afternoon goes completely glassy, with a 1ft, 21-second swell. That period is very long, so it’s an old groundswell, more suited to the point-like nature of the breakwater. Energy is low at 309, but it’s a fun, clean end to the weekend.

The start of the next week, Monday the 3rd, is a bust again with onshore wind and a 4ft to 8ft mess. Energy is strong at 1530, but the wind is terrible.

The next true highlight pops up on Tuesday the 4th of August. The afternoon is absolutely firing. Clear skies, 5ft of W swell, 14-second period, and a glassy wind from the WSW. The combined energy is 1055, which is strong, and the conditions are clean. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers.

The rest of the first week and into the second week is a series of clean, smaller days. Wednesday the 5th has a clean 3ft morning, but nothing special. From Thursday the 6th through to Sunday the 9th, the size drops, with swell heights mostly under 3ft. The periods are short, around 8 seconds, so it’s weak, windswell stuff. The combined energy dips to around 115-182, which is weak. It’s surfable but very ordinary.

We get a bit of a pulse on Monday the 10th of August. The morning has 3ft of WSW swell at 15 seconds, clean with a light breeze. The energy is 454, moderate. The afternoon goes glassy, a beautiful 3ft at 15 seconds, energy 360. It’s small, but it’s clean.

The following days, Tuesday the 11th and Wednesday the 12th, are tiny. Wednesday the 12th afternoon does have a clean 3ft at 18 seconds, with energy at 578. That’s a very long period for that size, so it’s a clean, lazy groundswell.

Thursday the 13th shows a bit more size, with 6ft to 6ft from the NNW, but the period is a weak 9 seconds, and the wind is a moderate cross-off. The combined energy is 897 and 767, moderate, but it’s a bit lumpy and the tide might be a factor. It’s a marginal call.

The period finishes on Friday the 14th of August with small, clean but marginal conditions.

So, the standout sessions are the Saturday afternoon (1st) and the Tuesday afternoon (4th). Both offer glassy, clean conditions with solid, rideable swell. That’s your best bet.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 32mm), heaviest during Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 12°C on Thu afternoon, min 4°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Fri afternoon, calm by Sat afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Very mild (max 12°C on Mon morning, min 3°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun afternoon, fresh winds from the WSW by Mon morning).

Thursday
30
Friday
31
Saturday
1
Sunday
2
Monday
3
Tuesday
4
Wednesday
5
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
1
0
0
0
!
3
2
2
2
2
3
0
0
1
3
4
2
2
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
W
13
2.2
NW
8
3
NW
10
4.5
WNW
10
5
W
14
3.5
W
13
2
W
11
1.5
W
10
1.2
W
9
1
W
8
0.4
WSW
21
0.9
WSW
19
1.2
WSW
18
2.4
W
8
1.1
WSW
16
1.1
WSW
14
1.6
W
14
1.3
W
13
1
W
13
0.7
WSW
12
0.6
WNW
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
513
559
1559
3913
8966
4610
932
434
256
134
146
614
919
800
644
536
1048
582
334
152
51
Wind (km/h)
15
NE
25
N
25
NW
35
W
35
WSW
15
E
15
ESE
5
WSW
10
ESE
10
E
0
W
0
ESE
30
WSW
25
WSW
15
WSW
10
E
5
WSW
15
ESE
15
E
5
NE
10
E
Wind State
off
cross-off
cross-on
on
on
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
glassy
on
on
on
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
High Tide
11:16AM3.19m
11:30PM3.27m
11:50AM3.21m
00:03AM3.30m
12:24PM3.21m
00:37AM3.29m
12:59PM3.18m
1:12AM3.25m
1:35PM3.12m
1:51AM3.17m
2:15PM3.03m
2:34AM3.07m
3:01PM2.93m
Low Tide
5:24PM0.94m
5:41AM0.90m
5:57PM0.87m
6:15AM0.83m
6:30PM0.83m
6:50AM0.79m
7:05PM0.82m
7:27AM0.79m
7:42PM0.85m
8:08AM0.83m
8:24PM0.92m
8:52AM0.91m
9:13PM1.01m
rain showers
mod rain
thunderstorm
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:48
7:47
7:46
7:45
7:43
7:41
7:41
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:35
5:36
5:37
5:37
5:38
5:39
5:40
 mm
1
8
14
5
3
1
1
4
3
1
3
Temp °C
11
12
11
9
9
7
8
10
6
8
9
10
12
11
10
9
10
6
9
11
9
Feels °C
7
7
6
1
1
3
4
7
3
6
7
6
6
5
3
7
8
3
4
8
5
  • 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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