Cobden Breakwater Surf Break

Lat Long: 42.44° S 171.20° E

Cobden Breakwater Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 22 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cobden Breakwater sea temperature is
12.5° C
0.1° 

Cobden Breakwater surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Cobden Breakwater surf forecast from 22 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 14s period, W swell with onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 14s period, W swell with 7,654 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 23 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 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 Thursday (Jul 23) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 13s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Cobden Breakwater in the next 16 days are 4.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Thu 23rd Jul)4.5ft (1.4m) 13s
Best Surf 9AM (Sat 25th Jul)13ft (4.0m) 14s
Most Powerful12PM (Sat 25th Jul)15ft (4.5m) 14s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cobden Breakwater over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here, let’s look at what’s on the table for Cobden Breakwater over the next couple of weeks.

The opening act is a bit of a slow burner. We’ve got some clean, long-period groundswell rolling in on Thursday the 23rd of July morning, with waves about 5 feet from the west at 13 seconds and a light cross-offshore breeze. The water temp is about average for this time of year. Wave energy is moderate (683). It’s a solid, clean start for an intermediate surfer, but the real standout window is coming up.

The big show is Saturday the 25th of July. Swell pumps up to a massive 13 feet from the west with a long 14-15 second period. The combined energy is cranking (6876 to 6361). Now, this is a breakwater setup, and that kind of size is going to be a real handful. The wind is onshore, but the forecast says wind and tide are favorable for the break. Honestly, this is expert territory only—if you’re not dialed in, give it a wide berth. It’s the biggest swell of the stretch, but it’s raw and powerful.

After that, Sunday the 26th and Monday the 27th settle back to a much more manageable 6 to 7 feet west swell (energy around 1581-1623). Sunday afternoon goes glassy with a westerly swell at 13 seconds and a light SSE breeze. That’s the pick of the first week for an experienced surfer looking for clean, lined-up walls. Crowds are rare here, so you might have it quiet.

The following week has a bit of a mixed bag. Tuesday the 28th offers clean 5-foot waves with glassy conditions in the afternoon. Energy is lower (334), but if you want an easy, fun session, that’s your call. Friday the 31st of July morning looks a little lumpy with a 7-foot west swell and a 12 mph cross-offshore wind, but the afternoon cleans up nicely with 6 feet and light winds.

August 2nd Sunday morning has a long-period 3-foot west swell at 18 seconds with clean conditions—energy is moderate (927). Good for a small-wave cruiser. The standout morning in the second week is Tuesday August 4th: 6 feet west-southwest swell at 14 seconds with light east-southeast winds, then the afternoon goes completely glassy with 5 feet. That’s a pure, clean paddle-out.

The very end of the run gets blown out. August 7th Friday morning has 6 feet of onshore slop with a fresh breeze. That’s a no-go.

Best on offer: Saturday the 25th for sheer size and power, but experts only. For the best all-around clean session with quality waves, point your board at Sunday the 26th of July afternoon or Tuesday August 4th afternoon—both glassy, nice west-southwest swell, and light crowds.

- Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 54mm), heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 12°C on Thu morning, min 8°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 10°C on Sun afternoon, min 4°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
1
1
3
0
4
!
!
5
4
4
4
4
2
2
2
2
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.4
WSW
13
1.4
W
13
1.4
W
13
2.2
NW
7
1.7
NNW
8
1.3
WSW
12
2
W
16
4
W
14
4
W
15
3
W
14
2
W
14
2
W
13
2.2
W
13
1.9
W
12
1.6
W
12
1.3
W
11
1.4
W
9
1.4
W
9
1.3
W
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
700
683
643
424
334
511
2002
6876
6361
3232
1581
1412
1607
1019
699
408
306
334
367
Wind (km/h)
5
ENE
5
NE
15
NNW
25
N
10
N
25
WSW
5
NE
10
SW
15
WSW
5
ESE
15
ESE
5
SSE
10
E
10
ESE
10
WSW
10
E
5
E
5
E
5
E
Wind State
off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
on
glassy
on
on
glassy
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
on
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
off
High Tide
5:33AM2.71m
6:01PM2.66m
6:36AM2.69m
7:06PM2.69m
7:37AM2.74m
8:07PM2.77m
8:32AM2.83m
8:58PM2.89m
9:20AM2.94m
9:42PM3.01m
10:02AM3.04m
10:21PM3.12m
Low Tide
11:14PM1.37m
11:43AM1.41m
00:20AM1.44m
12:49PM1.46m
1:25AM1.45m
1:53PM1.45m
2:22AM1.40m
2:49PM1.37m
3:11AM1.31m
3:35PM1.26m
3:53AM1.21m
4:15PM1.15m
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
heavy rain
light rain
heavy rain
mod rain
light rain
light rain
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:54
7:54
7:52
7:52
7:50
7:50
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:28
5:29
5:30
5:30
5:31
5:32
 mm
2
3
22
3
11
9
2
2
Temp °C
10
12
12
12
12
9
9
9
9
8
8
10
6
9
9
6
8
9
9
Feels °C
8
10
9
8
8
4
7
6
6
6
4
7
3
6
6
3
5
7
6
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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