Surf Forecasts:
Cobden Breakwater surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, NW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 11s period, W swell with 4,840 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 8s period with WNW 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 (Aug 27) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 13s. 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 4.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 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 1.7m 7s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Mon 31st Aug) | 15ft (4.5m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cobden Breakwater over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, rust heads, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's cooking for the Cobden Breakwater over the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, this spot is gonna be a moody one. We've got a heap of swell coming through, but it’s a breakwater that handles a specific range, and a lot of this is going to be just too damn big for a comfortable paddle.
The Long Range Look (Week 2 & Beyond)
Looking way out, from Thursday the 5th of September and into the 8th, it’s a different story. The morning of Saturday the 5th brings a solid 13ft swell from the west, but it’s still got that "too big" tag on it. Then Saturday afternoon is the real beast: a massive 16ft west swell with a very long 16-second period, and the combined wave energy reading is off the charts at 12898. That is serious, serious power. The wind is offshore from the east, which would normally be a dream, but at this size, it’s not for the faint of heart. This is strictly a big-wave crew session. Sunday the 6th and early next week drop back a bit, but the wind is a bit of a mixed bag, and the wave energy is still strong, so it's a wait-and-see for the average surfer.
The First Week (Aug 24th - 30th)
The week kicks off with a bang. Monday the 24th of August is the real standout. We’re looking at a solid 13ft west swell in the morning, and the combined energy is pumping at 5953. Now, logically, that sounds huge, but the report says the wind and tide are favorable, even if it’s just too big for a normal session. The afternoon holds a 12ft swell. This is serious, powerful wave energy, and that WSW wind is blowing straight onshore, but it seems to line up.
However, the true standout for those who can handle some size is Friday morning, the 28th of August. We’ve got a 10ft swell from the NNW, but the wind... the wind is glassy. Absolutely dead. That’s a rare and beautiful thing. The wave energy is a solid 2027, and it’s labelled as excellent for experienced surfers. This is the one to circle on the calendar. Clean, raw, and all yours if you’ve got the nerve.
The rest of the week is a mixed bag. Tuesday the 25th is a write-off with onshore winds and poor conditions. Wednesday the 26th is cross-shore and choppy. Thursday the 27th morning has a 7ft WNW swell and offshore ENE wind, offering a clean, smaller window for the more experienced crew, but it’s a short-lived opportunity.
So, to sum it up: Friday the 28th of August morning is your best bet. It’s the cleanest, most powerful option that’s actually rideable. The weekend is a mess of onshore slop, with Saturday the 29th offering a tiny 2ft swell with a very long 20-second period, which is just going to be weird and weak.
Keep an eye on that glassy Friday, folks. That’s the one that’ll get the blood pumping.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 92mm), heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue morning, min 11°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Mon night, light winds from the NE by Wed night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 102mm), heaviest during Thu morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu afternoon, min 10°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the N on Thu night, calm by Fri night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | |||||||||||||||
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) | W 14 | W 15 | W 15 | W 8 | W 9 | WSW 14 | W 14 | W 13 | WNW 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | NW 10 | NNW 10 | NW 9 | NNW 9 | W 8 | W 20 | W 8 | WSW 9 | W 10 | W 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
5953 | 4556 | 2864 | 881 | 1017 | 926 | 1890 | 1520 | 402 | 768 | 708 | 3461 | 1840 | 1034 | 474 | 432 | 276 | 659 | 1592 | 2206 | 3331 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | glassy | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on |
High Tide | 8:33PM2.78m | 8:55AM2.83m | 9:17PM2.94m | 9:38AM2.97m | 9:55PM3.09m | 10:15AM3.09m | 10:29PM3.22m | 10:50AM3.20m | 11:02PM3.31m | 11:23AM3.26m | 11:35PM3.37m | 11:57AM3.29m | 00:09AM3.38m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:23PM1.34m | 2:47AM1.26m | 3:10PM1.19m | 3:29AM1.11m | 3:49PM1.04m | 4:06AM0.95m | 4:24PM0.89m | 4:40AM0.81m | 4:56PM0.78m | 5:14AM0.69m | 5:29PM0.69m | 5:47AM0.62m | 6:02PM0.65m | ||||||||
7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | |
— | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:07 | — | |
mm | 2 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 3 | 11 | 51 | 23 | 21 | 29 | 12 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 7 |
Temp °C | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 |
Feels °C | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 9 | 7 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 14 | W 15 | — | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | W 14 | — | WNW 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WSW 14 | NNW 10 | NW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | W 8 | W 18 | N 7 | W 16 | — |
5953 | 4556 | — | 613 | 492 | 926 | 1890 | — | 402 | 768 | 708 | 273 | 1840 | 1034 | 474 | 144 | 229 | 404 | 4 | 406 | — | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | W 16 | — | W 13 | W 11 | W 9 | WSW 21 | NNW 8 | WSW 13 | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 273 | 155 | 131 | — | 176 | 114 | 292 | 147 | 56 | 57 | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 16 | W 17 | — | — | W 24 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | W 20 | N 8 | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 47 | 86 | — | — | 11 | 101 | 59 | 50 | 276 | 10 | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 15 | W 8 | W 9 | W 9 | — | W 13 | — | — | N 7 | NW 10 | — | — | — | W 8 | — | W 8 | WSW 9 | W 10 | W 12 |
— | — | 2864 | 881 | 1017 | 749 | — | 1520 | — | — | 298 | 3461 | — | — | — | 432 | — | 659 | 1592 | 2206 | 3331 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 153 | 153 | 136 | 190 | 190 | 172 | 136 | 122 | 0 | 0 | 220 | 156 | 0 | 177 | 0 | 85 | 172 | 169 | 169 | 190 | 153 |
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.











