
Surf Forecasts:
Cobden Breakwater surf forecast from 8 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 15 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, W swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 15 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, W swell with 5,081 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 9 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 15s 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 Thursday (Jul 09) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 15s 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 3.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 6s period and expected on Monday (Jul 13) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Thu 9th Jul) | 7ft (2.1m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Wed 15th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cobden Breakwater over the next 16 days.
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s on the cards for Cobden Breakwater over the next couple of weeks. It’s a long-range look, so take the later stuff with a grain of salt, but there are some proper sessions shaping up.
The opening few days are a bit of a slow burn with small, clean conditions but nothing to get too worked up about. Things really start to fire from Wednesday the 15th onward, with a serious pulse of energy rolling in, especially for the more experienced crew. The standout period is the tail end of the second week.
The best window is hands down Thursday the 16th. Morning sees a solid 8ft groundswell from the west with a very long 15-second period, and glassy conditions – that’s a recipe for some super clean, powerful lines. The combined swell energy is strong at 2258, so it’s got plenty of grunt. That afternoon holds up too with 7ft swell from the west, 14-second period, and more glassy conditions, making it another excellent session, but again, this is for the experienced surfer only. Before that, Wednesday the 15th brings 10ft from the west with a huge combined energy of 5081, but it’s blown out with onshore winds, so it’s one to watch from the car park unless you’re after a brutal paddle.
The first real sniff of a good clean wave comes Friday morning the 10th when the swell drops to 4ft, but the period stretches to a very long 16 seconds from the WSW, and the wind goes glassy in the afternoon. It’ll be small but clean and fun, with moderate energy (637). Saturday the 11th is another contestant for the best of the week: 4ft WSW swell with a 16-second period and glassy conditions in the afternoon (calm wind, 0 mph), energy around 768. That’s a beautiful small-wave session for intermediates – just keep an eye on the tides.
After the big stuff mid-week, the surf winds down into smaller, clean conditions from Monday the 21st onward. Mornings offer 3ft to 3ft WSW swell with long 15-second periods, light offshore winds, and glassy afternoons. Not big, but super clean and playful for a log or a mid-length. Crowds are rare here, so you’ll have plenty of room.
Water temp is around 57°F, which is about average for the time of year – nothing crazy, just standard winter chill, so suit up.
The only real standout to put in the diary is Thursday the 16th. That’s the one for the crew who want size, power, and perfection. For smaller, cleaner fun, lock in Saturday the 11th afternoon.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 11°C on Wed afternoon, min 2°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 32mm), heaviest during Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 11°C on Sun afternoon, min 6°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wed 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 11 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 18 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | NNW 7 | NNW 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | W 12 | W 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
525 | 1641 | 1106 | 874 | 521 | 793 | 628 | 456 | 797 | 768 | 758 | 566 | 462 | 280 | 258 | 1120 | 577 | 359 | 540 | 1435 | 5081 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | on |
High Tide | 4:35PM2.81m | 5:03AM2.88m | 5:39PM2.81m | 6:09AM2.91m | 6:47PM2.87m | 7:17AM2.98m | 7:53PM2.99m | 8:22AM3.10m | 8:55PM3.16m | 9:25AM3.23m | 9:53PM3.33m | 10:23AM3.35m | 10:46PM3.47m | 11:16AM3.43m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:48PM1.10m | 11:22AM1.03m | 11:53PM1.09m | 12:27PM1.03m | 1:01AM1.02m | 1:35PM0.97m | 2:08AM0.90m | 2:41PM0.88m | 3:10AM0.75m | 3:41PM0.76m | 4:07AM0.60m | 4:35PM0.64m | 5:00AM0.50m | ||||||||
— | — | 8:03 | — | — | 8:03 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 | |
5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | 5:21 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 6 | 1 | 22 | 2 | — | 1 | 11 | 1 |
Temp °C | 11 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 4 | 7 | 10 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
Feels °C | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | -2 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 9 | 3 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 11 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | NNW 7 | W 14 | NNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | W 12 | W 16 |
525 | 1641 | 1106 | 874 | 521 | 793 | 628 | 456 | 797 | 768 | 758 | 566 | 462 | 280 | 258 | 101 | 389 | 359 | 540 | 1435 | 5081 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 18 | W 16 | WSW 21 | WSW 19 | WSW 18 | — | W 22 | WSW 19 | — | — | — | — | — | N 12 | WSW 14 | — | WNW 10 | N 8 | W 14 | W 16 | N 7 |
174 | 135 | 147 | 387 | 516 | — | 9 | 125 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 156 | — | 577 | 127 | 383 | 651 | 25 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 22 | W 12 | N 7 | — | — |
1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 104 | 51 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 3 | — | SE 2 | SE 3 | ESE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 4 | N 5 | — | NNW 8 | — | — | — | N 7 | — |
3 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 36 | — | 1120 | — | — | — | 34 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 48 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 86 | 0 | 210 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 48 |
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.











