Surf Forecasts:
Cobden Breakwater surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 15s period, W swell with onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 15s period, W swell with 13,287 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 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 Saturday (Aug 22) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m 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 5.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 16ft (5.0m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 18ft (5.5m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cobden Breakwater over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's break down what Cobden Breakwater has on the table for the next couple of weeks.
Water temp is sitting right around 55°, which is pretty average for the season, nothing weird.
We've got a slow start, but Friday the 21st afternoon kicks things off. Glassy conditions with a light west wind at 3 mph, and a clean 3-foot swell from the WSW with a 14-second period. That's a nice long-period groundswell, giving the waves some shape, but the energy is light (336). Small but clean.
Saturday the 22nd morning is rideable with a 3-foot west swell and a cross-offshore breeze from the NNE at 9 mph. Not great, not terrible. The afternoon turns messy with the wind picking up to 16 mph from the NNW and the swell hitting 5 feet. Poor conditions.
Sunday the 23rd is a total loss. Gale-force west wind at 31 mph and a massive 20-foot swell. The energy is huge (7817), but it's blown right out.
Monday the 24th morning is glassy again with a light wind and a solid 13-foot west swell with a 14-second period. Combined energy is strong (6184). The call says it might be too big for the break. For experts only. Afternoon goes onshore and messy.
Tuesday and Wednesday are mostly chopped out with onshore winds. Swell is still running 6-7 feet, but not worth the effort.
Here's your standout: Friday the 28th afternoon. Glassy again with a light WSW wind, and the swell drops to a manageable 6 feet with an 8-second period. The energy is moderate (606), and it's flagged as very good conditions.
Saturday the 29th morning is the other winner. Offshore wind from the ENE at just 3 mph, with a 10-foot NW swell and a 9-second period. Good energy (1709) and clean. The note says excellent for experienced surfers. That's as good as it gets.
After that, it gets lumpy again. By Monday the 31st, we've got another big 13-foot west swell with long 16-second periods, but onshore wind at 12 mph. Too big and messy. Into September, the wind stays strong and the swell stays up, mostly cross-onshore and lumpy. The 5th of September morning has an 12-foot swell with a light ESE wind, but again, it's likely too big for this spot.
Best bets: the glassy Friday the 28th and the clean Saturday the 29th. Everything else is either too big or blown out.
Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 53mm), heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 13°C on Sat afternoon, min 9°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri night, strong winds from the W by Sun morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 40mm), heaviest during Tue night. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed morning, min 11°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | ||||||||||||||
PM | 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 14 | WSW 14 | W 11 | W 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 11 | W 12 | W 15 | W 14 | W 14 | W 15 | W 14 | W 9 | W 14 | W 14 | W 13 | W 13 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 336 | 210 | 242 | 514 | 1480 | 7817 | 10053 | 13287 | 6184 | 4494 | 2825 | 2923 | 1307 | 2270 | 1837 | 1401 | 771 | 227 | 273 | 319 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:12PM2.55m | 5:55AM2.55m | 6:28PM2.55m | 7:04AM2.59m | 7:37PM2.64m | 8:04AM2.69m | 8:33PM2.78m | 8:55AM2.83m | 9:17PM2.94m | 9:38AM2.97m | 9:55PM3.09m | 10:15AM3.09m | 10:29PM3.22m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:36PM1.46m | 12:08PM1.50m | 00:50AM1.47m | 1:23PM1.46m | 1:55AM1.39m | 2:23PM1.34m | 2:47AM1.26m | 3:10PM1.19m | 3:29AM1.11m | 3:49PM1.04m | 4:06AM0.95m | 4:24PM0.89m | ||||||||
 |  | |  |  |  | |  | |  |  | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — |
 | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — |
mm | — | — | — | 7 | 31 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 36 |
Temp °C | 11 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 |
Feels °C | 9 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 7 | -2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | W 11 | W 10 | WSW 16 | — | — | — | W 14 | W 14 | W 15 | — | W 14 | W 14 | W 14 | W 13 | W 13 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 |
| kJ | 336 | 210 | 242 | 514 | 87 | — | — | — | 6184 | 4494 | 2825 | — | 388 | 2270 | 1837 | 1401 | 771 | 227 | 273 | 319 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 20 | W 13 | WSW 13 | W 19 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 16 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | W 14 |
| kJ | — | 8 | 89 | 59 | 66 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 46 | 215 | 162 | 153 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 20 | WSW 19 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 16 | W 16 | WSW 12 |
| kJ | — | — | 30 | 71 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 131 | 181 | 111 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | N 3 | NNW 4 | WNW 9 | WNW 11 | W 12 | W 15 | — | — | — | W 14 | W 9 | — | — | — | NE 3 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 5 | 39 | 1480 | 7817 | 10053 | 13287 | — | — | — | 2923 | 1307 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 86 | 169 | 190 | 207 | 570 | 153 | 0 | 153 | 85 | 190 | 190 | 156 | 122 | 156 | 156 | 153 | 153 | 153 |
Best forecast wave conditions in West Coast South Island | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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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