
Surf Forecasts:
Cobden Breakwater surf forecast from 7 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 8 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 13s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 14 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 12s period, WNW swell with 2,641 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 7 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 13s 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 Tuesday (Jul 07) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 13s 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 3.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 14) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 7s period and expected on Monday (Jul 13) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Tue 7th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Wed 8th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Tue 14th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cobden Breakwater over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Alright, Rusty here again, breakin’ it down in feet and miles.
We got a stretch of surf ahead at Cobden Breakwater, but it’s a slow starter. First solid call isn’t until Thursday, July 9th – Tuesday and Wednesday are pretty flat or messy, so don’t rush out. Water temp is about 57°, right where it should be for this time of year.
The real standout is Thursday morning, July 9th. Cobden Breakwater will have a clean 6ft swell out of the WSW, with a 14-second period – that’s proper groundswell, and the combined energy is 1291 (strong enough to get your attention). Winds are light cross-off from the ESE, so the waves will be clean. This is for experienced surfers; beginners should sit this one out.
Through Friday the 10th and the weekend, the swell drops to around 4ft to 4ft, but that 16-second period keeps things lined up. Winds stay light and offshore, so the conditions will be sweet. Crowds are rare, so you’ll have plenty of space.
Now, the second week brings some real heavy water. By Wednesday, July 15th, the swell hits 13ft from the west with a crazy 6188 energy reading. The morning goes glassy, but that’s way too big for most – expert only. Thursday the 16th afternoon is still a solid 10ft with offshore wind, again just for the brave.
The best day of the whole run might be Monday, July 20th – a clean 6ft west swell with a 16-second period, offshore breeze, and energy around 1248 to 1496. That’s quality, consistent, and perfect for intermediates and above.
So, Thursday the 9th morning and Monday the 20th are your golden windows. Everything else is filler.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Wed morning, min 2°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 11°C on Sun afternoon, min 3°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | |||||||||||||||
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 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 18 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | W 15 | WSW 14 | NNW 7 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
752 | 425 | 249 | 210 | 460 | 1408 | 1143 | 874 | 521 | 758 | 628 | 376 | 686 | 768 | 758 | 566 | 441 | 280 | 200 | 897 | 587 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:38PM2.85m | 4:01AM2.91m | 4:35PM2.81m | 5:03AM2.88m | 5:39PM2.81m | 6:09AM2.91m | 6:47PM2.87m | 7:17AM2.98m | 7:53PM2.99m | 8:22AM3.10m | 8:55PM3.16m | 9:25AM3.23m | 9:53PM3.33m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:28AM0.99m | 9:49PM1.07m | 10:21AM1.01m | 10:48PM1.10m | 11:22AM1.03m | 11:53PM1.09m | 12:27PM1.03m | 1:01AM1.02m | 1:35PM0.97m | 2:08AM0.90m | 2:41PM0.88m | 3:10AM0.75m | 3:41PM0.76m | ||||||||
8:03 | — | — | 8:03 | — | — | 8:03 | — | — | 8:03 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | |
— | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 8 | 8 |
Temp °C | 10 | 11 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 4 | 8 | 10 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 |
Feels °C | 6 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 5 | -2 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | W 15 | NNW 5 | NNW 7 | W 14 | NNW 8 |
752 | 425 | 249 | 210 | 460 | 1408 | 1143 | 874 | 521 | 758 | 628 | 376 | 686 | 768 | 758 | 566 | 441 | 49 | 200 | 100 | 587 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 8 | NNE 9 | NNE 8 | WSW 19 | WSW 18 | WSW 16 | WSW 21 | WSW 19 | WSW 18 | — | — | WSW 19 | — | W 20 | — | — | — | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | — | W 13 |
14 | 16 | 12 | 72 | 174 | 89 | 148 | 387 | 516 | — | — | 125 | — | 70 | — | — | — | 280 | 158 | — | 119 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 21 | NNE 7 | N 7 | W 23 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 12 | N 11 | — | W 10 |
— | — | 9 | 5 | 1 | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | — | 74 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 4 | S 3 | — | — | ESE 2 | — | — | — | ESE 3 | SE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 8 | — |
11 | 6 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 897 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 85 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 48 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 210 | 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.










