Cobden Breakwater Surf Break

Lat Long: 42.44° S 171.20° E

Cobden Breakwater Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 04 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cobden Breakwater sea temperature is
12.5°C
0.3° 

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 3 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 5 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 14s period, W swell with onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 11 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 20s period, W swell with 17,222 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 5 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 14s 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 Saturday (Sep 05) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 4.0m and 14s period. The wind is predicted to be onshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Cobden Breakwater in the next 16 days are 4.5m 20s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 11) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Sat 5th Sep)13ft (4.0m) 14s
Best Surf 6AM (Sat 5th Sep)13ft (4.0m) 14s
Most Powerful12AM (Fri 11th Sep)15ft (4.5m) 20s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's get into it.

We've got a long window ahead, and the first half of it is a bit of a wild one. The main and really the only spot on the radar is Cobden Breakwater. It's a breakwater setup, so it handles swell a bit differently. The ocean temperature is running about average for this time of year, so nothing wild there.

The pattern starts off pretty grim. Friday the 4th is a total write-off with a strong cross-onshore wind and a big, messy 13ft to 15ft wind swell. The wave energy is through the roof (2956-3618), but it's just poor surf conditions. Saturday the 5th is no better, with a massive 13ft swell and a 14-second period, but the wind is still cross-on. The energy is huge (6343), but it's just too big and choppy for this spot.

Sunday the 6th is a little better but still marginal. The swell drops to 10ft, but the wind is cross-shore, and we're looking at a 16-second period. That's a very long period groundswell, which can be tricky at a breakwater, making it a bit too straight and tricky. The energy is still very strong (4990).

Now, we start to see a real window opening up. Monday the 7th is your first real pick of the period. The swell drops to a much more manageable 4ft to 5ft from the WSW, and the wind goes light and cross-off. The wave energy is moderate (925-1364), and the description says "clean." That's a good sign. The 14-second period will give it some nice push.

Then Tuesday the 8th morning is a standout for the glassy conditions. The wind is dead calm, totally glassy. The swell is only 3ft, and the energy is low (409), but it'll be clean. However, the afternoon turns into a poor onshore wind and a short, weak period of 7 seconds.

Wednesday the 9th morning is another glassy session with a 5ft swell from the west at 9 seconds. It's a bit short period, but with the glassy conditions, it'll be fun. The energy is moderate (580).

Thursday the 10th morning is the first real highlight. We've got a 8ft swell from the west, a 12-second period, and a clean cross-off wind. The energy is strong (1963), and the forecast says "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers." It's a bit sizey, so not for the beginners. This is a strong candidate for the best on offer.

After that, things get properly big. Friday the 11th through Saturday the 12th sees a massive 13ft to 15ft West swell with a 17-19 second period. The energy is astronomical (9483-14462). The wind is light, but the swell is just too big for this break. This is strictly for experts, and even then, it's a monster.

We get a bit of a reprieve on Sunday the 13th morning. The swell backs down to 10ft from the west, with a 13-second period and glassy conditions. The energy is still very strong (3584), but it's glassy. The forecast says "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers." This is another true standout.

Monday the 14th is a good one too. The swell drops to 6ft, with a 14-second period and a clean cross-off wind. The energy is moderate (1505). It's a solid, clean, more manageable day.

The rest of the forecast is a mixed bag. We get some glassy mornings with smaller swells, but also some big, blown-out days. The 16th of September sees a massive 16ft swell, again too big. The 17th of September morning is another glassy, experienced-surfer-only day with a 10ft, 13-second swell and strong energy (3346).

The long-range stuff into the 18th and 19th is all big and onshore or glassy but massive. It's all a bit of a gamble, but the potential is there for the experienced crew.

Bottom line: The standouts are Monday the 7th and Thursday the 10th morning for the first week, and Sunday the 13th morning for the second week. All of these offer clean conditions and a decent, rideable swell. For the rest, it's either too big, too windy, or too small. Keep an eye on the forecast, because this one is going to swing between epic and angry.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 119mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Sat night, min 9°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Fri morning, light winds from the WNW by Sat night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Mon morning. Very mild (max 12°C on Tue morning, min 6°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
!
0
!
2
0
4
2
3
3
2
1
2
3
2
2
3
0
!
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
4.5
WNW
10
4.5
W
10
4.5
W
12
4
W
14
4
W
15
3.5
W
16
2.5
W
16
2.1
W
16
2
W
15
1.5
WSW
14
1.2
WSW
14
0.8
WSW
13
1.1
WSW
12
1.1
W
12
0.9
WSW
11
1.3
W
12
1.8
W
11
1.2
W
11
2.5
W
9
3.5
W
9
4.5
W
20
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
3717
4402
6178
6099
6052
6674
3380
2265
1885
850
588
222
367
336
202
504
778
326
1003
1581
17222
Wind (km/h)
35
W
35
W
30
W
20
W
30
WNW
10
WNW
30
NW
30
NW
20
E
25
ESE
15
ESE
5
ESE
5
ESE
5
WSW
10
E
5
NE
10
NW
10
W
20
NNE
25
SW
15
ESE
Wind State
on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
glassy
on
cross-off
off
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
3:37PM2.83m
4:20AM2.79m
4:56PM2.74m
5:44AM2.74m
6:22PM2.77m
7:02AM2.80m
7:37PM2.91m
8:11AM2.94m
8:39PM3.09m
9:07AM3.09m
9:29PM3.26m
9:56AM3.21m
10:14PM3.38m
Low Tide
9:22AM1.06m
9:58PM1.12m
10:34AM1.20m
11:22PM1.18m
12:00PM1.23m
00:46AM1.10m
1:21PM1.12m
1:57AM0.94m
2:26PM0.94m
2:54AM0.74m
3:19PM0.74m
3:44AM0.57m
4:05PM0.58m
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
heavy rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
mod rain
light rain
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
light rain
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:56
6:54
6:52
6:50
6:50
6:48
6:46
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:12
6:13
6:14
6:15
6:15
6:16
6:17
 mm
4
3
4
4
3
15
16
39
31
10
2
1
5
5
Temp °C
11
10
10
12
12
13
12
13
11
8
10
9
12
12
8
12
12
10
10
9
6
Feels °C
3
2
2
7
6
8
6
8
8
2
7
7
11
10
6
10
9
8
6
3
2
  • 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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