
Surf Forecasts:
Cobden Breakwater surf forecast from 3 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 4 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 10s period, NNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 6 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, W swell with 4,213 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 4 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 12s 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 Saturday (Jul 04) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m 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 3.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 06) 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 3.5m 9s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 04) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Sat 4th Jul) | 7ft (2.1m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 12PM (Sat 4th Jul) | 13ft (4.0m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Mon 6th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cobden Breakwater over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the menu for Cobden Breakwater over the next couple of weeks.
The opening act is a bit of a slow burner, but there’s solid action building through the weekend and into the next week. The water temp is sitting at 56°F, which is just about bang on average for this time of year, so nothing out of the ordinary there.
Friday afternoon kicks things off with a clean 4ft swell from the WNW, period at 10 seconds, and a light offshore breeze from the ENE. The combined energy is a modest 314, but it’s about quality over quantity to start. Conditions are looking good.
Saturday morning is a big step up – we’re looking at a powerful 8ft WNW groundswell, period 11 seconds, ramping the energy up to a beefy 1709. The wind is a cross-off from the NNE at 16 mph, keeping things clean. This is proper grunt, but at 8ft it's pushing into big-wave territory, so this is one for the experienced crew only. By Saturday afternoon, the swell pumps up to 12ft with the same direction and period, and the energy hits a massive 2800. Wind is a strong cross-off from the NE at 22 mph. Honestly, at that size, with that much wind, this spot is gonna be a washing machine. I’d say it’s looking more interesting for a kite session than trying to paddle into that beast.
Sunday morning is a write-off with onshore wind and rain, so don’t bother. But keep an eye on Sunday afternoon – the wind drops to glassy conditions from the ESE at just 3 mph, and we've got an 8ft WNW swell rolling in. The energy is 1758. The period is 10 seconds, but the glassy surface will make it look a million bucks for the strong swimmers who can handle it.
Monday the 6th of July sees a monster, very long-period groundswell from the west at 16 seconds, with the wave height hitting 10ft and energy surging to 4213. That’s deep, powerful water moving under the surface. Wind is a moderate cross-shore, which will put some texture on it. This is heavy-duty, expert-only territory, and that long period means it'll be fat and walling up – best for a reef or point, but as a breakwater, it could get a bit tricky.
We then drop into a much cleaner, more manageable window from Tuesday afternoon the 7th, through to the end of the period. The swell backs off to a more user-friendly 5ft to 3ft range, with winds shifting light offshore or glassy, and periods staying in the 11 to 16 second range, keeping that clean, lined-up feel. The energy drops back to the hundreds, so it's far less intimidating.
The standout for me? Without a doubt, it’s Sunday afternoon, the 5th of July. That combo of an 8ft WNW swell with glassy conditions and a cross-off breeze is going to be a pure joy for anyone with the skills to paddle into it. The crowd profile says "rare," so you likely won't be fighting for waves either.
Into the second week, the 10th of July (Friday) offers a real treat – a glassy 3ft swell from the WSW, period a lovely 16 seconds, with the energy sitting at 502. Clean, long lines with nobody around. That’s the sweet spot. The 14th of July (Tuesday afternoon) also throws up a wildcard: an 8ft swell from the NNW with a short 9-second period, but glassy conditions. That’s a bit of a novelty swell, punchy but short-interval.
And finally, the 16th of July (Thursday) is another big-wave alert – a 10ft west swell, period 13 seconds, energy at 2940. Clean cross-off wind, but that is expert-only stuff.
So, get on it this weekend and next weekend, and keep your eyes peeled for those glassy windows mid-week. The cobwebs won't stand a chance.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 49mm), heaviest during Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Sat morning, min 4°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNE on Sat morning, calm by Sun afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed afternoon, min 6°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Fri 3 | Saturday 4 | Sunday 5 | Monday 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 10 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | NNW 10 | W 10 | WNW 10 | W 13 | W 16 | W 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 16 | W 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
305 | 1227 | 1672 | 2677 | 1314 | 459 | 1406 | 2611 | 4213 | 3260 | 2027 | 1111 | 754 | 276 | 210 | 173 | 427 | 1005 | 1075 | 714 | 758 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:02AM3.16m | 1:26PM3.05m | 1:40AM3.10m | 2:06PM2.98m | 2:21AM3.04m | 2:49PM2.91m | 3:08AM2.97m | 3:38PM2.85m | 4:01AM2.91m | 4:35PM2.81m | 5:03AM2.88m | 5:39PM2.81m | 6:09AM2.91m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:55PM1.00m | 7:16AM0.99m | 7:33PM1.00m | 7:57AM0.97m | 8:13PM1.01m | 8:40AM0.97m | 8:58PM1.04m | 9:28AM0.99m | 9:49PM1.07m | 10:21AM1.01m | 10:48PM1.10m | 11:22AM1.03m | 11:53PM1.09m | ||||||||
— | — | 8:04 | — | — | 8:03 | — | — | 8:03 | — | — | 8:03 | — | — | 8:03 | — | — | 8:03 | — | — | 8:03 | |
5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | 5:17 | |
mm | — | 4 | 2 | 21 | 19 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 10 | 11 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 11 | 14 | 7 | 11 | 11 | 5 | 9 |
Feels °C | 9 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 10 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | NNW 10 | N 9 | WNW 10 | W 13 | W 16 | W 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 16 | W 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 16 |
305 | 1227 | 1672 | 2677 | 1314 | 380 | 1406 | 2611 | 4213 | 3260 | 2027 | 1111 | 754 | 276 | 210 | 173 | 427 | 1005 | 1075 | 714 | 758 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 13 | W 22 | W 20 | WNW 10 | W 10 | N 9 | N 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 18 | W 17 | WSW 10 | — | WSW 19 | WSW 18 | — |
9 | 7 | 37 | 123 | 637 | 459 | 194 | 84 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 64 | 154 | 123 | — | 383 | 516 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | W 18 | NW 9 | W 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 7 | N 6 | W 24 | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | 404 | 300 | 352 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 11 | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | N 7 | N 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 3 | — | — | ESE 3 | — | — | — | ESE 3 |
— | — | 377 | 1797 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 3 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 156 | 156 | 156 | 177 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 136 | 48 | 85 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 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.











