Surf Forecasts:
Cobden Breakwater surf forecast from 11 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 11s period, W swell with onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 12 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, W swell with 6,704 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 11s 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 12) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 4.0m and 11s 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 3.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 12) 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 1.1m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Sat 12th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Sat 12th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cobden Breakwater over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey, Rusty here. Let's look at what Cobden Breakwater has in store for us.
The first couple of days are a real mess. Saturday the 12th is pumping a massive 13ft W swell with a ton of energy (3912) and a strong 12 mph onshore wind. That's not for paddle surfing; you'd want a kite for that, or just stay dry. Sunday the 13th is still huge for experts at 5ft, but the wind eases up a bit in the morning.
The real gem is going to be Tuesday the 15th. The swell drops to a clean 4ft from the WSW, and the wind goes dead glassy. The water temp is about what you'd expect for this time of year. With a long 14-second period, it'll wrap around the breakwater nicely. Energy is moderate (514), but with perfect wind, it'll be a fantastic, clean session for intermediate surfers.
The rest of the week is a mixed bag with onshore winds and rain on mostly 5ft to 7ft swells. The afternoon of Saturday the 19th is worth a look with a clean 6ft WSW swell and a light cross-off breeze, good for experienced surfers.
Into the second week, Wednesday the 23rd of September is the big one to watch, though it's a long way out. The forecast is for a powerful 8ft W swell with an extra-long 17-second period and glassy conditions. That's serious energy (3875) and strictly for experts—if it comes together, it could be a proper standout day. The 24th also looks good with clean-offshore winds and a 7ft swell.
So, forget this weekend. Your best bet for a clean, all-round good time is Tuesday the 15th. Keep an eye on that final week of September for some bigger, more powerful stuff.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Fri night. Very mild (max 12°C on Sun morning, min 9°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Fri night, calm by Sat night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 40mm), heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 13°C on Wed morning, min 9°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | W 11 | W 16 | WSW 16 | W 16 | W 10 | WSW 15 | W 15 | WSW 14 | W 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | W 9 | W 9 | W 11 | WNW 10 | WSW 14 | W 14 | W 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 6667 | 3912 | 6603 | 1940 | 1347 | 1145 | 953 | 1739 | 1382 | 951 | 514 | 395 | 153 | 325 | 1011 | 799 | 1491 | 2038 | 1161 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | on | on |
High Tide | 10:56PM3.42m | 11:18AM3.31m | 11:35PM3.38m | 11:55AM3.27m | 00:12AM3.28m | 12:30PM3.18m | 00:49AM3.14m | 1:06PM3.06m | 1:27AM2.98m | 1:42PM2.91m | 2:08AM2.81m | 2:24PM2.76m | 2:58AM2.65m | ||||||
Low Tide | 5:08AM0.43m | 5:25PM0.47m | 5:47AM0.47m | 6:03PM0.53m | 6:24AM0.57m | 6:39PM0.64m | 7:00AM0.71m | 7:16PM0.80m | 7:37AM0.89m | 7:55PM0.97m | 8:18AM1.07m | 8:40PM1.16m | |||||||
 |  | |  |  | | |  |  |  | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — |
 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:21 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:25 | — |
mm | 2 | — | — | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 5 | 30 | 1 | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 |
Feels °C | 7 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 6 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 11 | W 16 | WSW 16 | W 9 | W 10 | W 9 | W 15 | WSW 14 | W 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | W 9 | W 11 | WNW 10 | WSW 14 | W 14 | W 10 |
| kJ | — | 3912 | 6603 | 1940 | 1087 | 1070 | 715 | 1739 | 1382 | 951 | 514 | 395 | 98 | 325 | 1011 | 799 | 1491 | 2038 | 1161 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | W 16 | W 16 | WSW 15 | — | — | — | — | N 12 | — | W 18 | — | WSW 14 | NW 8 | NNW 8 | W 16 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 1347 | 1145 | 953 | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | 6 | — | 674 | 256 | 89 | 1093 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 9 | N 7 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 20 | 27 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 16 | — | — | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 9 | — | NNW 5 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 6667 | — | — | 1251 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 153 | — | 69 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 156 | 122 | 168 | 122 | 0 | 48 | 122 | 48 | 168 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 122 | 212 | 122 | 48 | 190 | 128 |
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.
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