Surf Forecasts:
Cobden Breakwater surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 26 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, WNW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, W swell with 4,356 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m 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 3.0m 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 0.7m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 12PM (Wed 26th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cobden Breakwater over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about this one in feet and miles.
So we’re looking at Cobden Breakwater. Water temp is 13°, normal for this time of year. The swell is coming from the west-southwest mostly, which is exactly what this spot wants.
First real surf is Wednesday, August 19th, in the morning. Wave height is about 4ft from the WSW, with a 16-second period—that’s long-period groundswell with plenty of push. The combined energy is 1020 (moderate). Wind is light from the east, cross-offshore, and the waves will be clean. This is an excellent session for intermediate surfers. The breakwater handles that long period well, giving you better shape and longer lulls to paddle out.
Wednesday afternoon goes downhill with a light cross-on wind.
Thursday the 20th morning still works: 4ft WSW at 14 seconds, clean with a light cross-off breeze. Combined energy 605 (moderate). Not as good as Wednesday, but worth a look. Afternoon is messy.
Friday the 21st morning is glassy—0 wind, 3ft WSW swell at 14 seconds. That’s a magical window for a smooth session. Afternoon goes onshore.
Saturday the 22nd morning is bumpy. Afternoon blows up: 10ft WNW swell with a strong cross-on wind, combined energy 1388 (moderate). Total mess. Not for surfing.
Sunday 23rd through Monday 24th is all onshore, big swell, short period. Kite-surfing weather, not a surf day.
Tuesday the 25th is marginal: 6ft at 14 seconds, cross-shore wind, combined energy 1190 (moderate). Clean enough if you’re desperate.
Thursday, August 27th morning is a standout for the experienced crew. True offshore wind from the east-northeast at 9 mph. Swell is 8ft from the northwest, 9 seconds, combined energy 1314 (moderate). Over 8ft means expert only, but it’s clean and powerful.
Saturday, August 29th morning is a nice intermediate option: 5ft W swell, light offshore breeze, combined energy 575 (moderate). Clean and fun.
Sunday, August 30th morning is the real gem. 6ft W swell at 16 seconds, light offshore wind from the east. Combined energy 2120 (strong). That’s a proper groundswell with power and clean faces. Experienced surfers will love it.
Monday, August 31st morning holds up: 6ft at 14 seconds, cross-offshore, combined energy 1342 (moderate). Clean and solid.
After that, the swell drops below 6ft through the first week of September. Not bad, just not as strong as that last week of August.
Best bets: Wednesday the 19th morning for a clean start, and Sunday the 30th morning for the biggest, cleanest groundswell. Thursday the 27th for the big-wave crew. The rest is either messy or average.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Wed morning, min 8°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 44mm), heaviest during Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Sat afternoon, min 9°C on Sat morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WNW on Sat night, calm by Mon night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | W 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | W 14 | WSW 14 | W 11 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | W 8 | WSW 8 | W 15 | W 14 | W 14 | W 14 | W 14 | W 13 | W 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 620 | 566 | 423 | 605 | 471 | 384 | 443 | 411 | 210 | 260 | 1317 | 1039 | 970 | 534 | 3988 | 3727 | 2939 | 1929 | 1190 | 1032 | 987 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | off | glassy | on | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 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 | 8:55AM2.83m | 9:17PM2.94m | ||||||||
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 | 3:10PM1.19m | ||||||||
 | |  | | |  |  | |  |  |  |  | |  | | | | | | |  | |
 | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — |
 | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 7 | 13 | — | 1 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 17 |
Temp °C | 12 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | 10 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | W 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | W 14 | WSW 14 | W 11 | WSW 19 | W 12 | W 15 | NW 9 | N 7 | W 14 | W 14 | W 14 | W 14 | W 13 | W 20 |
| kJ | 400 | 281 | 423 | 605 | 471 | 384 | 443 | 411 | 210 | 260 | 71 | 78 | 109 | 418 | 15 | 3727 | 2939 | 1929 | 1190 | 1032 | 8 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | W 4 | WSW 15 | — | WSW 16 | W 18 | WSW 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 620 | 566 | 166 | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 44 | — | 87 | 163 | 320 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 20 | WSW 13 | — | W 19 | WSW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 35 | — | 66 | 29 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 4 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | W 8 | WSW 8 | W 15 | — | — | — | — | — | W 13 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 28 | 1317 | 1039 | 970 | 534 | 3988 | — | — | — | — | — | 987 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 38 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 85 | 0 | 86 | 190 | 190 | 197 | 190 | 156 | 156 | 153 | 0 | 122 | 122 | 122 |
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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