
Surf Forecasts:
Cobden Breakwater surf forecast from 14 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 15 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, W swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 15 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, W swell with 5,331 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 15 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 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 Wednesday (Jul 15) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 16s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Cobden Breakwater in the next 16 days are 3.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 7s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Wed 15th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Wed 15th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Wed 15th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cobden Breakwater over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the pipe for the Cobden Breakwater. This is a solid little setup that’s exposed to the west-southwest, so it needs the right direction to really fire. We’ve got a 16-day window, and it’s gonna be a wild ride, with a few standout days mixed in with some big, gnarly swells.
The water is sitting at 56° which is pretty much normal for this time of year, nothing unusual there.
We kick off on Tuesday, July 14th. The morning is looking promising with a 5 ft swell from the west-northwest and a gentle cross-off breeze. There’s a decent amount of energy in the water (798) and the conditions are clean. It’s a solid start, but the afternoon turns ugly with a storm risk, a 19 mph cross wind, and a lumpy 8 ft swell. Not worth it.
Wednesday, July 15th, is a real monster. The morning brings a 12 ft swell from the west with a 15-second period, and the wind is a light cross-off. The energy is massive (4745), but let’s be real, 12 ft is too big for this spot. It’s only for experts, and even then, it’s a handful. The afternoon is still big at 10 ft but with a stronger 16 mph wind, making it messy.
Thursday, July 16th, is a write-off. Onshore winds and a dropping swell. The morning is 8 ft but with onshore wind, and the afternoon drops to 4 ft but still onshore. No good.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Friday, July 17th, is the first true standout. The morning has a 6 ft swell from the west-southwest, 15-second period, and the wind is glassy from the south-southeast. The combined energy is strong (1851). The afternoon is even better: 8 ft, same direction, glassy from the west-northwest (2309). This is excellent surf for experienced surfers, clean, and with that long period, the waves will have some real punch. The long period means it’ll be a bit walled at this break, but the quality is undeniable.
Saturday, July 18th, is another highlight. The morning is glassy, 6 ft from the west-southwest (1382), and the afternoon is 6 ft from the same direction, but with a super long 18-second period (2264). The wind is onshore in the afternoon, but the morning glass is a dream session for the experienced.
Sunday, July 19th, is still good. The morning is a clean 7 ft from the west (2062) with a cross-off breeze, and the afternoon is a smaller 4 ft but with a perfect offshore wind from the east-northeast, making for some clean, fun waves.
The following week, from Monday, July 20th, through to Thursday, July 23rd, the swell drops off. We’re looking at waves in the 2 ft to 4 ft range. The wind stays clean, with glassy and cross-off conditions, so it’s surfable, but it’s ordinary. The energy is weak (151 to 674). If you’re desperate, you can get a wave, but it’s not one to write home about.
Friday, July 24th, is similar, with small, clean waves. Saturday, July 25th, shows a slight uptick in the morning with a 3 ft swell from the west (612), but the afternoon is a 6 ft with onshore wind, so it’s messy.
Sunday, July 26th, is a second standout. The morning gives us a clean 6 ft from the west-southwest (1453) with a cross-off breeze. This is excellent for experienced surfers. The afternoon is the same size but with a light cross-onshore wind, so get it early.
Monday, July 27th, is a bit of a mixed bag. The morning is 5 ft with a clean cross-off, but the energy is moderate (965). The afternoon is a bit bigger at 6 ft but with a stronger 12 mph wind, making it bumpy.
And then the grand finale. Tuesday, July 28th, and Wednesday, July 29th, are another massive swell event. On Tuesday, we’re looking at 12 ft in the morning (2195) and 13 ft in the afternoon (3438). Wednesday is even bigger: 15 ft in the morning (6036) and 12 ft in the afternoon (3124). This is huge, very powerful stuff. The wind is light, but these waves are too big for this break. It’s strictly for experts, and even then, you’ll be pushing your limits. The long period (13 seconds) on Wednesday will make it even more powerful.
So, to wrap it up: the best on offer is Friday, July 17th, and Sunday, July 26th, for the cleanest, most powerful, and most manageable swell for experienced surfers. The mid-week monster swells are a spectacle, but not a practical session for most.
Stay safe out there.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 37mm), heaviest during Tue night. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue morning, min 9°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 13°C on Sun afternoon, min 9°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 10 | NW 8 | W 16 | W 15 | W 15 | W 14 | W 15 | W 15 | W 9 | WSW 15 | W 15 | W 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 18 | W 17 | W 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | W 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
482 | 775 | 5089 | 4745 | 3580 | 3042 | 2825 | 723 | 830 | 1310 | 2309 | 1884 | 1382 | 2264 | 2357 | 2062 | 693 | 613 | 674 | 539 | 414 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | on | on | on | cross-on | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | on | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:23AM3.35m | 10:46PM3.47m | 11:16AM3.43m | 11:37PM3.54m | 12:06PM3.44m | 00:25AM3.54m | 12:53PM3.38m | 1:12AM3.45m | 1:39PM3.26m | 1:58AM3.31m | 2:24PM3.11m | 2:46AM3.13m | 3:10PM2.95m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:35PM0.64m | 5:00AM0.50m | 5:26PM0.57m | 5:51AM0.46m | 6:14PM0.56m | 6:40AM0.50m | 7:00PM0.61m | 7:28AM0.60m | 7:45PM0.72m | 8:15AM0.75m | 8:31PM0.88m | 9:02AM0.94m | 9:20PM1.06m | ||||||||
8:00 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:56 | — | — | |
— | 5:21 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | |
mm | 4 | 4 | 12 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 2 | 2 | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 |
Feels °C | 9 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 10 | W 13 | W 16 | W 15 | W 15 | W 14 | — | W 15 | W 9 | W 9 | W 15 | W 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 18 | W 17 | W 16 | WSW 10 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | W 13 |
482 | 330 | 5089 | 4745 | 3580 | 3042 | — | 723 | 830 | 541 | 2309 | 1884 | 1382 | 2264 | 2357 | 2062 | 349 | 613 | 674 | 539 | 414 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 8 | W 18 | N 7 | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 14 | WSW 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 15 | W 10 | N 6 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 |
244 | 162 | 131 | — | — | — | — | — | 714 | 1310 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 693 | 184 | 30 | 14 | 13 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 19 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 11 | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 |
72 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 8 | 7 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NW 8 | — | — | — | — | W 15 | W 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 4 | — | — | — |
— | 775 | — | — | — | — | 2825 | 692 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 214 | 48 | 7 | 156 | 169 | 153 | 168 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 85 | 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.










