
Surf Forecasts:
Cobden Breakwater surf forecast from 11 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 15 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, WNW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 15 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, WNW swell with 6,124 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 12 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 16s 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 Sunday (Jul 12) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 16s 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 3.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 6s period and expected on Monday (Jul 13) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Sun 12th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 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.
Alright, mates, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s coming for Cobden Breakwater over these next sixteen days.
The surf kicks off proper on Saturday, July 11th. Water temp is 56°F, pretty average for the season.
The real standout is Saturday the 11th and Sunday the 12th. Saturday afternoon is dead flat calm, glassy, with a clean 4ft WSW swell at a very long 16 seconds. The wave energy’s moderate. Sunday morning holds 4ft with a light offshore east wind, still at 15 seconds. This is prime, clean, lined-up surf.
Monday the 13th is smaller – 2ft in the morning – with a cross-off breeze. Afternoon picks up to 4ft but with a short 7-second period and stronger wind, so it’s a bit messy.
Tuesday the 14th swings to a WNW swell. Morning is 5ft clean; afternoon builds to 6ft but with a moderate onshore wind. Strong energy but choppy.
Wednesday the 15th is for experts only: morning hits 12ft at 15 seconds with cross wind and massive 5515 energy – too big for most. Afternoon still 10ft and onshore.
Thursday the 16th is a gem for skilled surfers: 8ft in the morning with light cross-off wind, clean. Afternoon goes glassy at 7ft.
Friday the 17th stays solid at 6ft in the morning, glassy, then 5ft in the afternoon, also glassy. Great shape.
Saturday the 18th is another cracker: 8ft WSW in the morning with a gentle cross-off, then 7ft in the afternoon glassy. Crowds could be around.
Sunday the 19th offers 5ft in the morning, glassy, then 5ft dropping in the afternoon. Clean all day.
Monday the 20th through Wednesday the 22nd hold at 4-4ft with offshore or glassy winds. Fun, smaller waves.
Thursday the 23rd and Friday the 24th drop to 3-3ft. Still rideable. Saturday the 25th has a long-period spike at 3-4ft with a 17-19 second swell, glassy in the afternoon – a potential sleeper.
Sunday the 26th is back to 3ft in clean conditions.
The best windows are the early weekend (11-12) for pure quality, then Thursday the 16th through Sunday the 19th for consistent, well-shaped surf. For the big stuff, Wednesday the 15th is only for the brave.
Rusty signing off.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 27mm), heaviest during Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Tue morning, min 6°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat afternoon, fresh winds from the NNE by Mon afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 28mm), heaviest during Tue night. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue afternoon, min 8°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sat 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | W 14 | WSW 14 | NW 7 | NW 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 12 | W 15 | W 15 | W 14 | W 15 | W 15 | W 14 | W 13 | W 13 | W 13 | WSW 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
768 | 758 | 666 | 551 | 423 | 204 | 189 | 1024 | 334 | 663 | 1842 | 5515 | 4033 | 2927 | 2424 | 2040 | 1315 | 1001 | 875 | 941 | 1478 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-off | off | glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | on | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:53PM2.99m | 8:22AM3.10m | 8:55PM3.16m | 9:25AM3.23m | 9:53PM3.33m | 10:23AM3.35m | 10:46PM3.47m | 11:16AM3.43m | 11:37PM3.54m | 12:06PM3.44m | 00:25AM3.54m | 12:53PM3.38m | 1:12AM3.45m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:08AM0.90m | 2:41PM0.88m | 3:10AM0.75m | 3:41PM0.76m | 4:07AM0.60m | 4:35PM0.64m | 5:00AM0.50m | 5:26PM0.57m | 5:51AM0.46m | 6:14PM0.56m | 6:40AM0.50m | 7:00PM0.61m | 7:28AM0.60m | ||||||||
— | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:58 | |
5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | 5:23 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 7 | 15 | 4 | 5 | 14 | 7 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — |
Temp °C | 10 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 |
Feels °C | 8 | 4 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | W 14 | WSW 14 | NW 7 | NW 9 | NNW 8 | WNW 10 | W 17 | W 15 | W 15 | W 14 | W 15 | W 15 | W 14 | W 13 | W 13 | W 13 | WSW 11 |
768 | 758 | 666 | 551 | 423 | 204 | 189 | 1024 | 299 | 663 | 1439 | 5515 | 4033 | 2927 | 2424 | 2040 | 1315 | 1001 | 875 | 941 | 1478 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | N 12 | N 11 | W 14 | WSW 13 | WNW 10 | W 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 6 | — | — | WSW 18 |
— | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | 100 | 57 | 334 | 272 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 522 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 22 | W 13 | W 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 115 | 162 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | N 5 | NNE 6 | — | — | NNW 8 | WNW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 3 |
— | — | — | — | — | 51 | 160 | — | — | 223 | 1842 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 202 | 85 | 0 | 214 | 169 | 156 | 48 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 153 | 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.











