Surf Forecasts:
Cobden Breakwater surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 11s period, W swell with onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 15s period, W swell with 5,337 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 16s 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 1.4m and 10s. 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 15s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cobden Breakwater over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, cobber, let’s have a look at what’s on the table for the next couple of weeks. We’ve got one spot that’s holding the whole show together: Cobden Breakwater. It’s a breakwater setup, so it likes a good swell from the west-southwest, and when it lines up, it’s a proper little gem.
The week kicks off proper on Wednesday, 19 August with a clean morning. A 4ft swell out of the west-southwest, a solid 16-second period pushing it in, and a light easterly cross-offshore breeze. That’s glassy, groomed, and full of energy—moderate energy (1020) but with that long period, it’ll be zippy and lined up. This is the standout session of the early run. The water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing to write home about, but it’s fine.
Thursday, 20 August keeps the goods rolling with a 4ft west-southwest swell in the morning, still cross-off, still clean. The afternoon goes glassy with a 3 mph WNW breeze—4ft swell, 14-second period, clean as a whistle. That’s a nice little dinnertime wave.
Friday, 21 August morning drops a notch to 3ft, but it’s glassy with a 3 mph easterly. Very clean. The afternoon gets a bit cross-on and small, so don’t expect much.
Saturday, 22 August morning has a 3ft west-southwest swell with a nor-nor-east cross-off, but it’s small and the moderate breeze is pushing it. The afternoon turns ugly with rain showers and a 8ft short-period junk heap—6 seconds—that’s a mess. Avoid.
Sunday, 23 August and Monday, 24 August see the swell pump up hard. By Monday morning, we’re looking at 12ft of west swell at 15 seconds—that’s massive energy (4568). The wind is onshore, but even so, that’s only for experts. This break is a breakwater, and 12ft is a beast. If you’re not solid, don’t even think about it. The Monday afternoon holds 10ft, still big, but with a lighter cross-on breeze.
Tuesday, 25 August drops to 7ft in the morning, but the wind is cross-on and choppy. Not great.
Wednesday, 26 August morning is a real beauty: 7ft west-southwest swell, 13-second period, and a light offshore east-nor-east breeze. Clean, powerful, and a excellent wave for experienced surfers. That’s a standout morning. The afternoon is still clean but smaller at 6ft.
Thursday, 27 August morning is 4ft, clean with a moderate offshore. Worth a paddle if you’re desperate, but it’s not the standout.
Friday, 28 August morning has a 7ft north-northwest swell with a short 9-second period, onshore wind—it’s messy. The afternoon is just as rough.
Saturday, 29 August is a write-off: tiny 2ft swell with onshore wind. Not worth looking at.
Sunday, 30 August morning jumps back to life: 7ft west swell, 15-second period, and a light offshore. That’s a proper groundswell, clean and powerful. Excellent for experienced surfers. This is the second standout of the run.
Monday, 31 August morning delivers 5ft west-southwest swell, 14 seconds, and a light offshore. Clean and fun. Good for a solid intermediate.
Tuesday, 1 September morning has a 6ft west swell, but it’s a short 7-second period—that’s a bit of a bouncy, weak wave even though it’s clean. The afternoon has a 3ft west-southwest swell with a very long 16-second period, but it’s cross-on. Tricky.
Wednesday, 2 September morning is a gem: 4ft west-southwest swell, 15-second period, light offshore. Clean, excellent for experienced surfers. That’s a nice little session.
Thursday, 3 September morning rounds out the run with 4ft, 14-second period, glassy conditions. Very clean.
So, for the whole outlook, the absolute best windows are Wednesday, 19 August morning, Wednesday, 26 August morning, and Sunday, 30 August morning. The energy is moderate to strong, the winds are offshore or glassy, and the swell direction is bang on for the break. Crowds are listed as rare here, so you’ll likely have it to yourself or close to it. If you’re surfing the 7ft+ days, that’s for experienced surfers only—beginners, stay out. The smaller days around 3ft to 4ft are fine for intermediates.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Wed afternoon, min 8°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 35mm), heaviest during Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Sat afternoon, min 9°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri night, strong winds from the WNW by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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) | WSW 10 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 11 | WNW 6 | WNW 9 | W 10 | W 10 | W 12 | W 15 | W 14 | W 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
610 | 620 | 666 | 862 | 605 | 471 | 384 | 443 | 336 | 269 | 213 | 421 | 2160 | 2555 | 1985 | 3429 | 4568 | 3423 | 2107 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 2:49AM2.87m | 3:08PM2.77m | 3:41AM2.70m | 4:03PM2.63m | 4:45AM2.59m | 5:12PM2.55m | 5:55AM2.55m | 6:28PM2.55m | 7:04AM2.59m | 7:37PM2.64m | 8:04AM2.69m | 8:33PM2.78m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:01AM1.09m | 9:24PM1.20m | 9:50AM1.28m | 10:23PM1.36m | 10:53AM1.43m | 11:36PM1.46m | 12:08PM1.50m | 00:50AM1.47m | 1:23PM1.46m | 1:55AM1.39m | 2:23PM1.34m | 2:47AM1.26m | |||||||
— | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 7 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 4 |
Temp °C | 9 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 |
Feels °C | 5 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 11 | WSW 13 | — | W 18 | W 17 | — | W 15 | W 14 | W 14 |
610 | 400 | 666 | 862 | 605 | 471 | 384 | 443 | 336 | 269 | 213 | 59 | — | 232 | 270 | — | 4568 | 3423 | 2107 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 10 | — | NNE 4 | N 4 | — | — | — | W 20 | W 13 | WSW 19 | — | WSW 15 | N 8 | — | — | — | — |
212 | 620 | 240 | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | 8 | 92 | 71 | — | 71 | 28 | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 20 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 30 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 2 | — | — | — | — | — | NE 4 | — | — | — | N 3 | WNW 6 | WNW 9 | W 10 | W 10 | W 12 | — | — | — |
2 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 7 | 421 | 2160 | 2555 | 1985 | 3429 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 7 | 0 | 38 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 85 | 0 | 86 | 190 | 207 | 201 | 190 | 153 | 163 | 156 | 77 |
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.











