Surf Forecasts:
Cobden Breakwater surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 10s period, NNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, W swell with 4,965 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 9s 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 Thursday (Aug 27) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 13s. 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 17s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 31) 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 2.5m 8s period and expected on Friday (Aug 28) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 15ft (4.5m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Mon 31st Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cobden Breakwater over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Alright, it’s gonna be a bit of a mixed bag over the next couple of weeks at Cobden Breakwater. There’s some solid swell on the table, but the wind and conditions are gonna chop and change. We’re starting off with a bit of a gap here – no real surf worth paddling out for until Thursday morning the 27th of August.
Okay, Thursday morning the 27th is where it starts to get a little interesting. We’ve got a 6ft swell rolling in from the WNW, and the wind is blowing offshore from the east at 12 mph. That’s going to make for some clean lines. The water temp is sitting at 55°F, which is right about average for this time of year. The combined swell energy is moderate (707), so there’s some push behind it. This morning window is the standout of the first week – it’s gonna be your best shot at a clean, fun session.
The next real highlight, and the best on offer across the whole outlook, lands on Saturday morning the 29th of August. Now this one’s a beauty. Swell drops to a manageable 5ft out of the WSW, and the wind goes totally glassy – barely a breath from the ENE at just 3 mph. You’ll be looking at clean, smooth faces with that moderate swell energy (664). This is the one to circle on the calendar. Keep in mind crowds are rare here, so you might have it to yourself.
After that, the swell picks up quick. Friday the 28th of August morning has a big 12ft NNW swell (3124 combined energy), but the wind is cross-shore from the NW at 12 mph and it’s simply too big for the break – experts only if you’re game. By Sunday the 30th, it gets messy with strong onshore winds.
Moving into the second week, there’s a promising window on Monday the 7th of September. Monday afternoon sees a 5ft W swell with a light offshore breeze from the east at 6 mph. Clean conditions and solid energy (755) – that’s a good bet for a late session.
Then Tuesday the 8th of September morning is small but clean – 3ft from the west, offshore wind from the NE, glassy conditions. Not a lot of power (299), but it’ll be a fun one if you’re on a log.
The last standout worth a mention is Wednesday morning the 9th of September. A solid 10ft WNW swell (1759 combined energy) with clean offshore wind from the ENE at 6 mph. That’s excellent for experienced surfers, but remember, when it’s over 8ft, it’s only for the crew who know what they’re doing.
So, bottom line: Thursday morning the 27th and Saturday morning the 29th are your true standouts in the first week. Second week, keep an eye on Monday afternoon the 7th and Wednesday morning the 9th, but those long-range calls are a bit more touch and go. Stay keen, Cobden.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 116mm), heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue morning, min 9°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Wed night, strong winds from the NNE by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 36mm), heaviest during Fri morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri morning, min 9°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri night, fresh winds from the WSW by Sun afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | |||||||||||||||
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 8 | W 8 | W 14 | W 14 | WNW 7 | W 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | NW 10 | NNW 10 | NW 10 | NNW 9 | WSW 9 | NNW 8 | W 18 | W 16 | W 7 | WSW 10 | WSW 16 | W 17 | W 17 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
784 | 891 | 2635 | 1894 | 557 | 846 | 464 | 422 | 1546 | 2994 | 1629 | 883 | 326 | 144 | 404 | 339 | 869 | 2620 | 1685 | 4533 | 1484 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | glassy | glassy | on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | on |
High Tide | 9:17PM2.94m | 9:38AM2.97m | 9:55PM3.09m | 10:15AM3.09m | 10:29PM3.22m | 10:50AM3.20m | 11:02PM3.31m | 11:23AM3.26m | 11:35PM3.37m | 11:57AM3.29m | 00:09AM3.38m | 12:31PM3.27m | 00:45AM3.33m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:10PM1.19m | 3:29AM1.11m | 3:49PM1.04m | 4:06AM0.95m | 4:24PM0.89m | 4:40AM0.81m | 4:56PM0.78m | 5:14AM0.69m | 5:29PM0.69m | 5:47AM0.62m | 6:02PM0.65m | 6:22AM0.61m | 6:36PM0.67m | ||||||||
7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | |
— | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | |
mm | 5 | 4 | 10 | 7 | 18 | 40 | 11 | 3 | 18 | 16 | 3 | 1 | — | — | 4 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 2 | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 11 |
Feels °C | 9 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 14 | 6 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 7 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | — | — | WSW 13 | W 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | NW 10 | NNW 10 | NW 10 | NNW 9 | WSW 9 | NNW 8 | W 18 | WSW 12 | N 7 | N 7 | WSW 16 | — | W 17 |
714 | 500 | — | — | 523 | 846 | 464 | 422 | 1546 | 2994 | 1629 | 883 | 326 | 144 | 404 | 198 | 9 | 4 | 1685 | — | 1484 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | W 16 | W 14 | W 13 | W 13 | WSW 12 | NNW 8 | WSW 8 | NNW 8 | W 16 | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 229 | 157 | 181 | 200 | 130 | 126 | 418 | 217 | 133 | 60 | 339 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | W 16 | W 17 | WSW 12 | — | — | W 23 | W 22 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WSW 13 | N 7 | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 47 | 86 | 49 | — | — | 10 | 38 | 121 | 76 | 96 | 28 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | W 8 | W 14 | W 14 | WNW 7 | — | E 4 | N 7 | N 8 | — | — | — | — | — | W 7 | W 6 | W 7 | WSW 10 | W 10 | W 17 | W 9 |
784 | 891 | 2635 | 1894 | 557 | — | 9 | 263 | 825 | — | — | — | — | — | 131 | 184 | 869 | 2620 | 1225 | 4533 | 1148 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 197 | 177 | 156 | 122 | 180 | 0 | 0 | 128 | 136 | 168 | 153 | 0 | 0 | 48 | 48 | 153 | 156 | 153 | 122 | 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.











