Cobden Breakwater Surf Break

Lat Long: 42.44° S 171.20° E

Cobden Breakwater Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 14 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cobden Breakwater sea temperature is
12.0°C
0.3° 

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 14 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 16 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 10s period, NW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 19 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, W swell with 3,208 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 15 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 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 Tuesday (Sep 15) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 14s period. 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 3.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 19) 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 0.9m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Tue 15th Sep)5ft (1.5m) 14s
Best Surf 9PM (Wed 16th Sep)8ft (2.5m) 10s
Most Powerful 6AM (Sat 19th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s get into it. I’m Rusty, and I’ve been watching this spot like a hawk.

We’ve only got one break firing in this whole outlook: Cobden Breakwater. The window starts on Monday the 14th of September, but it’s a slow burner. The first couple of days are a bit of a write-off for quality, so don’t get too excited just yet.

Monday the 14th is a bit average. You’ve got a 5ft to 6ft WSW swell coming in, but the wind is messy – cross-on and onshore – so the surface won’t be pretty. The wave energy is solid though (1203 to 1382), so there’s power, just not much polish.

Now, Tuesday the 15th of September is where it gets interesting. The morning sees a drop to 4ft, but the wind goes glassy – dead calm from the east. That’s a major positive. The swell is still a solid WSW groundswell at 14 seconds, and with combined energy at 514, it’s moderate but clean. This is the pick of the early week for a longboard or a funboard, just easy, clean little runners. The afternoon drops off to 2ft, still glassy, but a bit small.

Wednesday the 16th picks up in size, with 5ft to 7ft of W swell, but the wind is cross-off from the NNE. It’s clean, but the period is short (10-11 seconds), so it won’t have the same punch. The energy is moderate to strong (440 to 1010). It’s surfable, but not a standout.

Thursday the 17th gets chunkier – 6ft to 7ft – but it’s onshore wind from the WSW. The energy is high (1619 to 1880), but the wind is killing it. Not worth a paddle.

Friday the 18th of September morning is the real highlight of the whole run. The wind is glassy from the SSE, the swell is a clean 5ft from the W with a lovely 15-second period. Combined energy is a strong 1951. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. The swell direction (WSW optimum) is a perfect match. This is the one to circle on your calendar. The afternoon goes onshore and jumps to 8ft – that’s expert territory and messy.

Saturday the 19th is a write-off in the morning with 10ft onshore junk and 3208 energy – just massive and blown out. The afternoon eases to 6ft but stays cross-on.

Sunday the 20th and Monday the 21st are big, onshore, and poor. We’re looking at 8ft to 10ft with fresh to strong breezes – not for paddling. The energy is huge (2417 to 3583). This is more of a kite surfing setup than a paddle session.

Tuesday the 22nd gets even bigger – 13ft to 18ft – with strong onshore winds. Energy is extreme (5743 to 12869). Stay out of the water.

Wednesday the 23rd is still big (12ft) with onshore wind, but the period is a very long 17 seconds. The forecast even says it’s too big for this break. Thursday the 24th morning offers a glimmer: 4ft from the WSW with offshore NE wind at 3 mph. Combined energy is 1004, clean, and excellent for experienced surfers. It’s small but perfect. Friday the 25th is back to onshore junk.

Saturday the 26th of September morning is another nice little window. 5ft from the WNW with offshore east wind at 6 mph. The period is short (9 seconds), so it’s a bit weaker, but it’s clean. The energy is moderate (516). Good for a cruise.

The final days – Sunday the 27th and Monday the 28th – offer glassy or offshore mornings with small swell (2ft to 3ft). The 28th has a very long 20-second period, but it’s small. Tuesday the 29th afternoon sees a jump to 8ft with clean wind and excellent conditions for experienced surfers (2679 energy).

To sum it up: the absolute standout is Friday morning the 18th of September – 5ft, 15-second groundswell, glassy wind. That’s your best bet. The second pick is Thursday morning the 24th of September for a small but clean offshore session.

Water temp is 54°, which is about average for the time of year – nothing unusual there.

Stay safe, watch the rips on the big days. Catch you in the water.

- Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 27mm), heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 13°C on Wed afternoon, min 9°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 12°C on Sat morning, min 5°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
Saturday
19
Sunday
20
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
3
3
3
2
2
2
3
3
2
2
4
4
1
1
0
3
0
1
0
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.5
WSW
15
1.8
WSW
14
1.5
W
14
1.1
WSW
14
0.7
WSW
14
0.9
WSW
9
1.5
W
10
2.1
W
11
2.4
NW
9
1.9
WSW
13
2.2
W
14
2.5
W
10
1.5
W
15
2.5
W
15
2.5
W
9
3
W
14
1.7
W
14
2.5
W
14
2.5
W
14
2.4
W
14
2.2
W
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
886
1382
951
514
192
147
434
1010
931
1327
1841
1580
1019
2716
1032
3208
1178
2487
2417
2293
1891
Wind (km/h)
10
SW
10
WSW
5
SSE
5
E
5
W
5
N
15
NNE
20
NNE
20
NE
15
WSW
15
SW
10
SE
5
SSE
15
WSW
20
WSW
25
WSW
5
W
20
WSW
20
SW
20
WSW
5
N
Wind State
cross-on
on
glassy
glassy
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
on
on
cross-off
glassy
on
on
on
cross-on
on
on
on
cross-off
High Tide
12:30PM3.18m
00:49AM3.14m
1:06PM3.06m
1:27AM2.98m
1:42PM2.91m
2:08AM2.81m
2:24PM2.76m
2:58AM2.65m
3:15PM2.61m
4:01AM2.53m
4:25PM2.50m
5:14AM2.47m
5:45PM2.47m
Low Tide
6:39PM0.64m
7:00AM0.71m
7:16PM0.80m
7:37AM0.89m
7:55PM0.97m
8:18AM1.07m
8:40PM1.16m
9:05AM1.25m
9:38PM1.32m
10:07AM1.39m
10:53PM1.42m
11:25AM1.45m
00:11AM1.42m
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
heavy rain
light rain
cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:39
6:37
6:35
6:33
6:31
6:30
6:28
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:22
6:22
6:24
6:25
6:27
6:28
6:29
 mm
1
2
3
21
1
4
4
4
8
1
2
1
Temp °C
11
12
10
11
12
11
12
13
11
10
10
8
11
11
11
12
11
12
13
13
12
Feels °C
9
9
8
10
11
10
8
9
7
7
6
5
8
7
6
7
10
8
9
9
8
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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