Surf Forecasts:
Cobden Breakwater surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 19 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 16s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 15s period, W swell with 10,804 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 16s 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 Sunday (Jul 19) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 16s 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 5.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 7s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Sat 25th Jul) | 16ft (5.0m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cobden Breakwater over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, surfers, let's get into it. Cobden Breakwater is the only game in town for this stretch, and it's a breakwater setup that's fairly consistent, exposed to the west-southwest, and rarely sees crowds. The optimum swell direction is from the west-southwest, so when that lines up with clean winds, we're in business.
We kick off today, Sunday the 19th of July, with a solid pulse. The morning session is looking excellent for experienced surfers: a 6.2ft west swell rolling in at a very long 16 seconds, combined energy of 1766 – that's moderate-strong, and the wind is a light cross-off from the east at 3 mph. The water's around average for this time of year, but no complaints. The afternoon glass off with a 3.9ft west-southwest swell and 15-second period is still very good, just a bit smaller. That's the standout for the first week.
Monday the 20th holds clean surf with 4.6ft west-southwest swell in the morning, dropping to 4.3ft in the afternoon. Winds stay light, so it's a good run. Tuesday the 21st drops further to 3.3ft and 3.0ft, glassy conditions – fun for a small board, but nothing to write home about. Wednesday the 22nd has a short-period 3.9ft west swell in the morning (7 seconds) – weak energy at 201 – but the afternoon glass-off with a 3.6ft west swell at 10 seconds is better. Thursday the 23rd morning brings a clean 4.3ft west swell at 13 seconds with offshore winds from the east-northeast at 6 mph – very good stuff. But the afternoon turns marginal with onshore cross-off winds and light rain. Then Friday the 24th and Saturday the 25th get ugly – strong onshore winds, huge swell (14.8ft to 16.4ft), and poor conditions. Sunday the 26th remains messy with 9.8ft and 8.2ft west swell and cross‑onshore winds – only for the keen or the kites.
Now, after that rough patch, things turn around. Monday the 27th of July is a beauty: morning clean 5.2ft west swell at 12 seconds, light cross-off, and the afternoon goes dead flat calm with 4.3ft west swell and glassy conditions – very good. Tuesday the 28th is clean but smaller. Then Wednesday the 29th is another standout, but this is more than a week out, so keep an eye on it. The morning and afternoon both show a 9.8ft north-west swell at 10 seconds, with offshore winds from the east-northeast, energy around 2300. That's excellent for experienced surfers – big, clean, and fairly consistent. The 10-second period means it's a bit more of a wind swell, but with offshore winds, it'll hold up well at
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 13°C on Sun afternoon, min 9°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 40mm), heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 12°C on Wed afternoon, min 8°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed afternoon, fresh winds from the SW by Fri afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 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 16 | W 16 | WSW 15 | W 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | W 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | W 7 | W 10 | WSW 13 | W 13 | W 13 | NW 7 | W 9 | WSW 13 | W 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1940 | 1766 | 648 | 1048 | 754 | 627 | 507 | 334 | 248 | 142 | 159 | 220 | 700 | 591 | 402 | 524 | 641 | 405 | 1290 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-off | glassy | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | on | on | on |
High Tide | 1:58AM3.31m | 2:24PM3.11m | 2:46AM3.13m | 3:10PM2.95m | 3:36AM2.95m | 4:01PM2.81m | 4:32AM2.80m | 4:57PM2.70m | 5:33AM2.71m | 6:01PM2.66m | 6:36AM2.69m | 7:06PM2.69m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:15AM0.75m | 8:31PM0.88m | 9:02AM0.94m | 9:20PM1.06m | 9:50AM1.12m | 10:13PM1.23m | 10:43AM1.29m | 11:14PM1.37m | 11:43AM1.41m | 00:20AM1.44m | 12:49PM1.46m | 1:25AM1.45m | |||||||
 |  |  |  | | | |  | | | | | | |  |  |  | | | |
 | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:56 | — | — | 7:56 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — |
mm | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 28 | 5 | 1 | 6 |
Temp °C | 12 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 |
Feels °C | 11 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 16 | W 16 | W 10 | W 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | W 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | W 7 | W 10 | WSW 13 | W 13 | W 13 | W 13 | W 9 | W 8 | W 12 |
| kJ | 1940 | 1766 | 307 | 1048 | 754 | 627 | 507 | 334 | 248 | 142 | 159 | 220 | 700 | 591 | 402 | 158 | 641 | 341 | 1290 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 11 | WSW 15 | NNW 11 | N 11 | N 6 | NNW 11 | NNW 11 | NNW 10 | W 4 | WSW 15 | WSW 13 | N 8 | N 10 | N 7 | — | N 7 | WSW 13 | W 17 |
| kJ | — | 2 | 648 | 24 | 85 | 18 | 38 | 37 | 35 | 5 | 42 | 133 | 5 | 2 | 1 | — | 79 | 405 | 217 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NNW 12 | — | — | N 11 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | N 4 | NNW 10 | N 10 | N 9 | — | — | N 10 | — | WSW 12 | N 7 | — |
| kJ | — | — | 13 | — | — | 61 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 19 | 7 | 6 | — | — | 2 | — | 202 | 33 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 8 | NNW 4 | NW 7 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 7 | 524 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 122 | 210 | 136 | 180 | 85 |
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.
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