Cobden Breakwater Surf Break

Lat Long: 42.44° S 171.20° E

Cobden Breakwater Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 27 Aug 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 27 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 10s period, NNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 14s period, W swell with 9,166 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period with NW 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 (Aug 27) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 15s. 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 5.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 31) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.3m 10s period and expected on Friday (Aug 28) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Thu 27th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 10s
Best Surf 3AM (Fri 28th Aug)15ft (4.5m) 10s
Most Powerful 3AM (Mon 31st Aug)16ft (5.0m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into what’s on the menu for our local stretch of coast, focusing on Cobden Breakwater. This is a spot that needs a bit of savvy and a decent swell direction to get it right, and over the next couple of weeks, there’s a wild ride ahead.

We kick off Thursday, August 27th, with some actual surf on offer. The morning session is looking like a good entry point, with a 6.2 ft swell out of the WNW. The wind is blowing from the east, which is offshore for this break, so it’ll be clean and lined up. The water temperature is sitting at 54.5°, which is pretty standard for this time of year – nothing unusual there. The combined energy is moderate (815), so you’ll feel the push, but it’s not a beast. That afternoon, the swell jumps to 7.5 ft, but the wind swings around to a NNE cross-off, and the period drops to 8 seconds. It’s a bit shorter period, so the waves might be a bit lumpy and less powerful, but still rideable.

Friday, August 28th, is where things get serious. The morning brings a massive 13.1 ft swell from the NNW with a period of 11 seconds. The combined energy goes ballistic (3710), and the wind is a cross-off from the north. This is a lot of power, and for a breakwater setup, this is going to be a big, washing-machine style closeout. This is strictly for the experts only; if you’re not comfortable in heavy, powerful water, stay on the beach. The afternoon sees a 9.8 ft NNW swell, but the wind turns cross-on from the WNW, making it choppy and messy.

Saturday, August 29th, is a letdown. The morning has a 5.2 ft W swell with a 9-second period, but the wind is directly onshore from the west. It’s just a messy, bumpy wall. The afternoon is even worse, with a 4.9 ft swell and more onshore wind. You’re better off doing something else.

From Sunday, August 30th, through to Tuesday, September 1st morning, we’re on a grind. The swell is consistently big – 7.2 ft to 14.8 ft – but the wind is a nightmare. Strong westerly and southwesterly winds, some gusting 22 mph, are going to turn the surface into a complete chop-fest. The combined energy through this period is huge (over 2000 and up to 8494), but it’s all windswell and junk. This is kite-surfing weather, not paddle surfing.

Then we get a proper treat. Tuesday, September 1st afternoon. The wind drops to zero, turning glassy. The swell is 9.8 ft from the west, but with a very long 14-second period from a groundswell. The combined energy is massive (3083). The conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers, and that’s exactly right. The long period and glassy conditions will make for some heavy, powerful, and clean waves at the Breakwater, but the long period can make it break a bit straight and unpredictable on a breakwater. This is the standout session of the first week.

The rest of the first week into the second week (September 2nd to 5th) is a mixed bag. The swell stays in the 6.6 ft to 8.2 ft range with long periods (14-15 seconds), but the wind is all over the shop – cross-shore, cross-onshore. It’s not clean, and the scores are low. The swell is there, but the wind is just not cooperating.

Saturday, September 6th, and Sunday, September 7th, are written off. The wind is strong again, and the swell is too big (8.2 ft to 14.8 ft) with onshore or cross-shore winds. The combined energy is massive (up to 5239), but it’s a total mess.

Now, keep an eye on Monday, September 8th. The morning sees a massive 19.7 ft swell from the west with a 16-second period. The combined energy is a staggering 19708, the biggest of the whole outlook. The wind is light from the south, but it’s cross-on. This is a monster swell that is way too big for this break. The energy is insane, but it’s a complete no-go for paddle surfing.

Finally, we have a bit of a payoff in the second week. Wednesday, September 9th morning, the wind goes offshore from the east at 9 mph, with a 9.8 ft west swell at a 16-second period. The combined energy is 4174. This is clean, powerful, and with the offshore wind, it’ll be shaping up nicely. For experienced surfers, this is a real highlight. The afternoon is decent too with a 8.2 ft swell and a cross-off wind.

Thursday, September 10th, also looks promising. Both morning and afternoon see a 11.5 ft to 13.1 ft NW swell with a

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 71mm), heaviest during Fri morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Thu afternoon, min 9°C on Thu morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNE on Thu night, light winds from the WSW by Sat morning).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Sun morning. Very mild (max 12°C on Sun morning, min 9°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Mon afternoon, calm by Tue night).

Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
3
!
1
0
2
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
!
3
4
1
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.8
WNW
9
2.4
NW
8
3
NW
10
3.5
NNW
10
3
NNW
10
2.3
W
11
1.5
WSW
9
0.6
W
20
0.8
W
18
1.5
W
14
4
W
9
5.5
WSW
12
4.5
W
14
3.5
W
14
4.5
W
10
3.5
W
13
2.5
W
14
2.3
W
14
2
W
14
1.2
WSW
14
3
W
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
528
773
1500
2785
1854
1340
352
276
399
836
2299
8136
7371
5681
3626
4072
2637
1951
1575
613
1328
Wind (km/h)
20
E
25
NNE
20
NE
20
NNW
20
WNW
20
W
5
W
15
WSW
10
SW
25
W
30
WSW
35
WSW
30
WSW
45
W
25
WSW
20
SW
5
WNW
0
NW
25
NNW
30
NNW
35
WNW
Wind State
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
on
on
on
on
on
on
on
on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
glassy
cross
cross
cross-on
High Tide
10:15AM3.09m
10:29PM3.22m
10:50AM3.20m
11:02PM3.31m
11:23AM3.26m
11:35PM3.37m
11:57AM3.29m
00:09AM3.38m
12:31PM3.27m
00:45AM3.33m
1:07PM3.21m
1:25AM3.23m
1:48PM3.10m
2:10AM3.09m
Low Tide
4:24PM0.89m
4:40AM0.81m
4:56PM0.78m
5:14AM0.69m
5:29PM0.69m
5:47AM0.62m
6:02PM0.65m
6:22AM0.61m
6:36PM0.67m
6:59AM0.65m
7:15PM0.73m
7:40AM0.75m
7:58PM0.84m
mod rain
light rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
light rain
light rain
rain showers
light rain
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
mod rain
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:09
7:07
7:05
7:05
7:03
7:01
7:00
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:04
6:05
6:06
6:07
6:07
6:08
6:09
 mm
8
3
27
23
3
3
1
1
2
2
2
3
2
2
1
4
3
8
7
Temp °C
11
13
12
13
12
11
11
11
10
12
12
10
11
11
10
10
10
11
13
13
13
Feels °C
7
8
5
7
8
7
9
7
6
7
5
2
3
2
3
5
8
9
7
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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