
Surf Forecasts:
Cobden Breakwater surf forecast from 26 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 31 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 14s period, W swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 31 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 14s period, W swell with 11,299 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 27 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 12s period with W 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 Monday (Jul 27) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 12s 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 14s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 31) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 30) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Mon 27th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Fri 31st Jul) | 18ft (5.5m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Fri 31st Jul) | 18ft (5.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cobden Breakwater over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk Cobden Breakwater in feet and degrees.
We’re starting Monday the 27th of July with some proper, clean surf. The swell is running about 5.9ft out of the west, with a strong 12-second period, and the combined energy is humming at 900 (moderate). Light cross-offshore winds from the ESE are keeping the surface clean. This is a good, solid session for intermediate surfers – not too big, but plenty of power. The water temp is about average for the season.
Monday afternoon turns glassy – zero wind, swell drops to 5.2ft, still west swell, energy at 687. The surface will be like a mirror. If you can get out, it’s a treat.
Tuesday the 28th is still very good: clean morning, 4.3ft west swell, 11-second period, light cross-off winds. Energy backs off to 384 but still fun. Afternoon goes glassy again with 3.9ft waves.
Wednesday the 29th is a standout. Morning has a 3.0ft west-southwest swell with a very long 14-second period, light offshore winds from the east, and energy at 526. That long period groundswell will wrap in cleanly. Afternoon gets even better: 4.6ft, same long period, light offshore wind, energy 715. This is the best session of the first week – clean, glassy edges, and not too big.
Thursday the 30th morning is still clean with offshore winds, 3.9ft west swell, 13-second period, energy 657. Then Thursday afternoon, the swell jumps to 9.8ft out of the northwest, but the period drops to 8 seconds, and the wind swings to a strong cross-off from the north at 25 km/h. That’s a lot of water, but short period, so it’ll be lumpy. Energy is 1264 (strong). Over 8ft, so expert only.
Friday the 31st of July is a mess. 9.8ft to 14.8ft west swell, but onshore winds howling at 35-40 km/h. Energy goes crazy (1729 to 6922), but the surface will be blown out. Kite surfers might have a field day, but for paddle surfing? No thanks.
Saturday the 1st of August still has size – 8.2ft west swell, 12-second period – but cross to cross-onshore winds make it choppy. Energy is high (1772), but quality is marginal.
Sunday the 2nd of August brings a reset. Morning: 5.2ft west swell, 10-second period, light cross-off winds, clean, energy 554. Afternoon: 5.9ft, also clean. A solid, fun day.
Monday the 3rd of August is interesting. Morning has a small 2.6ft west-southwest swell, but with a very long 19-second period, offshore winds, and energy at 624. That’s a proper groundswell – sleepy between sets, but the waves that come will be smooth and powerful. Afternoon goes onshore, so morning is the window.
Tuesday the 4th of August is a beauty. Morning: 3.6ft west-southwest swell, 16-second period, light cross-off winds, clean, energy 628. Afternoon: glassy, 3.6ft, 15-second period, energy 558. Clean, glassy, long period groundswell – another standout.
Wednesday the 5th of August keeps it rolling: clean 4.3ft west swell, 13-second period, light cross-off winds, energy 564. Afternoon glassy with 3.6ft.
Thursday the 6th of August: clean morning, 3.3ft west swell, 12-second period, energy 462. Afternoon goes glassy with 4.9ft west swell, 10-second period, energy 574. That afternoon glass-off is a real treat.
From Friday the 7th of August through Saturday the 8th, the swell drops to 1.3ft, weak energy (77-142), clean wind but no push. A gap of a few days with no real recommendation.
Sunday the 9th of August brings a small pulse: 2.6ft west-southwest swell, 16-second period, light offshore winds, energy 333. Clean but small. This continues into Monday the 10th and Tuesday the 11th, with 1.3ft to 2.3ft swells, long period but very weak. The waves will be well-shaped, but you’ll be waiting.
Overall, the best of the whole 16-day window is Wednesday the 29th of July and Tuesday the 4th of August. Clean conditions, long period groundswell, manageable sizes. The first week has plenty of fun surf, but the second week fades into tiny, weak waves. Still, with those long periods, it could surprise you
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 11°C on Tue afternoon, min 5°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 42mm), heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 12°C on Thu night, min 2°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WNW on Fri morning, light winds from the SE by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | W 12 | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | WSW 14 | W 14 | WSW 13 | W 13 | W 14 | NW 10 | NW 9 | W 10 | W 14 | W 12 | W 10 | W 9 | W 10 | W 9 | W 21 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
900 | 687 | 394 | 323 | 319 | 296 | 336 | 715 | 627 | 513 | 377 | 1657 | 734 | 1730 | 7798 | 1631 | 824 | 450 | 550 | 459 | 240 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:20AM2.94m | 9:42PM3.01m | 10:02AM3.04m | 10:21PM3.12m | 10:41AM3.13m | 10:56PM3.21m | 11:16AM3.19m | 11:30PM3.27m | 11:50AM3.21m | 00:03AM3.30m | 12:24PM3.21m | 00:37AM3.29m | 12:59PM3.18m | 1:12AM3.25m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:35PM1.26m | 3:53AM1.21m | 4:15PM1.15m | 4:31AM1.10m | 4:51PM1.04m | 5:06AM0.99m | 5:24PM0.94m | 5:41AM0.90m | 5:57PM0.87m | 6:15AM0.83m | 6:30PM0.83m | 6:50AM0.79m | 7:05PM0.82m | ||||||||
7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | |
— | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | 20 | 9 | 4 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 7 | 9 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 4 | 8 | 9 | 4 |
Feels °C | 4 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 10 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 4 | -1 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 12 | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 14 | WSW 13 | W 13 | WNW 9 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NNW 9 | W 14 | W 12 | W 10 | W 9 | W 10 | W 9 | WSW 8 |
900 | 687 | 394 | 323 | 319 | 296 | 190 | 715 | 627 | 513 | 270 | 1657 | 734 | 237 | 7798 | 1631 | 824 | 450 | 550 | 459 | 240 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | W 16 | W 9 | — | WSW 14 | — | WSW 18 | W 17 | W 14 | WSW 14 | W 11 | WNW 17 | — | — | W 22 | W 21 | WSW 19 | WSW 18 | W 21 |
— | — | — | 5 | 6 | — | 336 | — | 31 | 140 | 377 | 261 | 396 | 493 | — | — | 9 | 8 | 35 | 33 | 229 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 24 | W 21 | W 18 | W 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 24 | WSW 16 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | 35 | 230 | 257 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | 53 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 4 | N 4 | N 5 | — | — | W 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 15 | 36 | — | — | 1730 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 156 | 190 | 190 | 190 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 122 | 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.










