Cobden Breakwater Surf Break

Lat Long: 42.44° S 171.20° E

Cobden Breakwater Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 14 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cobden Breakwater sea temperature is
11.9°C
0.4° 

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: Friday 18 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, W swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 18 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, W swell with 4,606 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 15 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 14s period with WSW 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 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 14s period. 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 3.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 18) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Tue 15th Sep)4.5ft (1.3m) 14s
Best Surf 9AM (Fri 18th Sep)11ft (3.5m) 14s
Most Powerful 9AM (Fri 18th Sep)11ft (3.5m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, mate, let’s break this down. Cobden Breakwater is a bit of a tricky one this week. It’s not going to be a classic run, but there are a couple of windows worth keeping an eye on.

The early part of the week is pretty average. Monday the 14th is cloudy with a light southwest breeze, giving you cross-onshore slop at around 5 feet. The water temp is about 54°, pretty much normal for this time of year. The swell energy is moderate (1203), but it’s not doing much for the break.

Tuesday the 15th cleans up a bit. The morning is glassy with a slight east-southeast air, and the swell drops to about 4 feet. It’s small but clean. The afternoon goes even smaller at around 2 feet and still glassy. Not much power, but if you just want some clean little waves, this is your chance.

Wednesday the 16th gets a bit more size—up to about 5 feet in the morning with a cross-offshore breeze from the north-northeast. It’s clean enough. The afternoon bumps up to around 6 feet with a bit more wind, but still cross-off. More options, but still not amazing.

Then it starts to get messy. Thursday the 17th brings onshore winds and rising swell, hitting about 8 feet in the afternoon with rain. It’s lumpy and poor quality. Friday the 18th has a jump in energy (2295) with 5 feet, but the wind is cross-shore. The afternoon hits 8 feet but the onshore breeze is back. This is where it starts to feel heavy and not great.

Saturday the 19th stays around 8 to 8 feet, but with light cross-onshore winds and rain. It’s not clean, and the energy is strong (2708). Sunday the 20th is a full-on washout—strong onshore winds at 40-45 km/h and 12 to 13 feet of raw, unruly swell (5633 energy). That’s not surfable; that’s just a mess. The breakwater will be a washing machine.

Monday the 21st settles a bit, back to 8 feet with a cross-shore wind. The energy is still strong (3329), but it’s cross-chop. Not good.

Tuesday the 22nd is another no-go—12 feet plus fresh onshore winds (35 km/h) means it’s big and blown out (4859 energy). Experts only, and even then, it’s too much.

But here’s the thing—Wednesday the 23rd might be the standout if you’re experienced. The morning shows an 12-foot west-southwest swell with an offshore east breeze and clean faces. The energy is pumping at 4716, and the wind and tide are favourable. The only catch is it’s predicted to be too big for the spot, so you’re looking at serious skills. The afternoon drops to around 10 feet but the wind goes cross-shore, so the morning is the pick.

Thursday the 24th is another for the experienced crew. The morning has around 6 feet from the west-southwest with a light offshore east-northeast breeze—clean and glassy, with energy at 1307. The afternoon keeps it solid at about 6 feet with a gentle offshore and clean faces. This is the most promising stretch for a proper surf, with good conditions and excellent shape for those who know what they’re doing.

After that, it just fizzles. Friday the 25th has 8 to 8 feet but with cross-onshore winds and chop. Saturday the 26th drops to around 5 and 4 feet with more cross-shore winds. Sunday the 27th has some size but the wind is up to 30 km/h, so it’s messy with rain. And Monday the 28th and Tuesday the 29th are poor—onshore winds, rain, and dropping swell. Not worth the drive.

So, to sum it up: the best bets are Wednesday the 23rd for the big, clean offshore morning if you’re confident in serious size, and Thursday the 24th for a more manageable and clean day. Everything else is either too small, too messy, or too blown out. The water temp is normal, so just lay low and pick your moment.

Rusty out.

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 25mm), heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 13°C on Wed afternoon, min 8°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue morning, fresh winds from the WSW by Thu morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 24mm), heaviest during Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 12°C on Sat morning, min 6°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri afternoon, fresh winds from the SW by Sat night).

Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
Saturday
19
Sunday
20
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
2
2
2
2
4
1
0
4
!
5
2
3
2
0
0
2
5
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
14
1.1
WSW
14
0.6
WSW
14
0.8
WSW
9
1.4
W
10
1.8
W
11
2.5
NW
9
2.3
W
9
2.5
W
9
1.8
W
16
3.5
W
14
3
W
15
2.5
W
9
3
W
14
3
W
14
3
W
14
3
W
10
2.5
W
14
2.5
W
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
834
514
145
115
386
716
1065
880
1157
1569
4606
4196
1279
4147
3224
3747
1933
2802
3127
Wind (km/h)
5
ESE
5
ESE
5
W
5
ENE
15
NNE
25
NNE
20
ENE
20
WSW
30
WSW
5
SE
5
SSE
0
N
15
W
15
WSW
20
W
30
WSW
35
SW
20
WSW
5
SSE
Wind State
cross-off
glassy
glassy
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
on
on
glassy
cross
glassy
on
on
on
on
on
on
glassy
High Tide
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
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
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
heavy rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
cloud
cloud
mod rain
light rain
mod rain
rain showers
cloud
cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
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
6:24
6:25
6:27
6:28
6:29
 mm
1
1
1
18
1
3
2
6
3
8
5
Temp °C
8
11
11
10
12
13
11
10
9
8
10
9
11
12
12
12
10
10
9
Feels °C
7
10
9
9
9
8
8
5
2
6
6
8
8
10
8
8
2
5
7
  • 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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