
Surf Forecasts:
Cobden Breakwater surf forecast from 17 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 20 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 16s period, W swell with onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 20 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 16s period, W swell with 15,047 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 17 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s 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 Thursday (Sep 17) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 2.3m and 10s. 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 5.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 20) 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 0.6m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 22) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Thu 17th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Sun 20th Sep) | 18ft (5.5m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Sun 20th Sep) | 18ft (5.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cobden Breakwater over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 22mm), heaviest during Sat morning. Very mild (max 12°C on Sat afternoon, min 4°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri morning, strong winds from the WSW by Sat night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Mon night. Very mild (max 12°C on Tue afternoon, min 6°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Sun morning, calm by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | Tuesday 22 | Wednesday 23 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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) | WSW 14 | W 10 | W 16 | W 15 | W 15 | W 14 | W 15 | W 14 | W 9 | W 14 | W 16 | W 17 | W 16 | W 15 | W 14 | WSW 9 | WSW 10 | W 14 | W 16 | W 16 | W 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1347 | 1006 | 1265 | 1169 | 2372 | 2247 | 2278 | 2614 | 2561 | 10776 | 15047 | 9851 | 4629 | 2629 | 1431 | 2069 | 2593 | 3484 | 2323 | 4772 | 3474 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-off | on | on | on | cross-off | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:24PM2.76m | 2:58AM2.65m | 3:15PM2.61m | 4:01AM2.53m | 4:25PM2.50m | 5:14AM2.47m | 5:45PM2.47m | 6:25AM2.49m | 6:58PM2.55m | 7:28AM2.59m | 7:56PM2.70m | 8:20AM2.74m | 8:41PM2.88m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:40PM1.16m | 9:05AM1.25m | 9:38PM1.32m | 10:07AM1.39m | 10:53PM1.42m | 11:25AM1.45m | 00:11AM1.42m | 12:43PM1.41m | 1:18AM1.32m | 1:45PM1.28m | 2:12AM1.17m | 2:34PM1.11m | 2:55AM0.98m | ||||||||
6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | |
— | 6:25 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:29 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | |
mm | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 7 | 4 | 9 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 9 | — | 1 | 8 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 11 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 |
Feels °C | 10 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 6 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 14 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 15 | W 14 | W 15 | — | — | — | — | W 17 | W 16 | W 15 | W 14 | — | — | W 14 | W 10 | W 16 | W 16 |
1347 | 1006 | 866 | 508 | 2372 | 2247 | 2278 | — | — | — | — | 9851 | 4629 | 2629 | 1431 | — | — | 3484 | 1330 | 4772 | 3474 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 8 | W 14 | W 16 | W 15 | N 8 | N 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 16 | — | — |
343 | 674 | 1265 | 1169 | 18 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2323 | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNW 8 | N 7 | N 8 | — | N 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | 73 | 24 | 30 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 14 | W 9 | W 14 | W 16 | — | — | — | N 3 | WSW 9 | WSW 10 | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2614 | 2561 | 10776 | 15047 | — | — | — | 8 | 2069 | 2593 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 85 | 153 | 153 | 320 | 0 | 48 | 48 | 136 | 156 | 153 | 201 | 0 | 48 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in West Coast South Island | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










