Surf Forecasts:
Cobden Breakwater surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 14s period, W swell with cross-onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 14s period, W swell with 6,200 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 14s 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 Thursday (Aug 20) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 14s 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 4.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cobden Breakwater over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, I'm Rusty, and I've got the scoop on the surf coming your way at Cobden Breakwater.
We're kicking off on Wednesday, 19th August with a bit of a quiet start. The swell is around 4 ft from the WSW with a very long 15 second period, bringing a moderate wave energy of 847. The water is sitting at 55°, which is about average for this time of year. The wind is light and cross-on, so the waves are a bit average for a session. Thursday morning, 20th August, looks cleaner with a 4 ft WSW swell at 14 seconds and a nice cross-off breeze, making for some fun, clean waves. That's a promising start.
The surf really picks up from Saturday, 22nd August, but it gets messy. Saturday afternoon sees a jump to 10 ft swell from the WNW, but with a short 9 second period and a fresh cross-on wind, the energy is moderate (1595) and conditions are lumpy – not great for paddling. Sunday, 23rd August, is similar with 10 ft W swell and onshore wind, pushing the energy higher (1761) but with poor conditions. Monday, 24th August, has a solid 10 ft W swell with a longer 14 second period, and the energy is very strong (3423), but the wind is cross-on and choppy – still a bit of a struggle.
Now, here's the standout. Thursday, 27th August, is where it's at. The morning offers a 7 ft NW swell with a shorter 8 second period, clean conditions with a cross-off breeze, and the energy is moderate (597). The afternoon is even better: a 10 ft NW swell, 9 second period, clean cross-off wind, and the wave energy is strong (1313). This is excellent for experienced surfers – the swell is big and clean, and the wind is off the land, making for some really good waves. It's the best the forecast has to offer, but with the size, it's not for beginners.
The following week has some more promising windows. Friday, 28th August, morning has a 12 ft NW swell, but it's flagged as too big for this break, so only for experts. The energy is strong (2089). Saturday, 29th August, drops back to a 6 ft WNW swell with a 10 second period, clean cross-off winds, and moderate energy (747) – that's a good, more manageable day. Sunday, 30th August, morning is a real treat: a 3 ft WSW swell with a very long 16 second period, clean cross-off breeze, and moderate energy (709). That's a long-period groundswell, perfect for a breakwater like this, giving you long, well-shaped waves.
The end of the period is a mixed bag. Monday, 31st August, sees a massive 13 ft to 15 ft NNW swell with very strong energy (4525 to 5357), but it's too big for the break. Tuesday, 1st September, morning is 8 ft NNW, good for experienced surfers, and Wednesday, 2nd September, morning is 7 ft NW with clean wind – both are solid options. The last mention, Thursday, 3rd September, morning, has a 3 ft NNW swell with a 9 second period and clean conditions – a nice, small clean-up day.
Overall, the standout is Thursday 27th August afternoon, with 10 ft NW swell, clean cross-off wind, and strong energy. For a cleaner, more moderate session, hit Sunday 30th August morning for the long-period groundswell. Keep an eye on the bigger days for experts only.
Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Sat afternoon, min 7°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu afternoon, fresh winds from the NNW by Sat afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 36mm), heaviest during Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Sat night, min 8°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WNW on Sat night, calm by Mon morning). | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | ||||||||||||||
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) | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | W 11 | WNW 7 | WNW 10 | W 9 | W 10 | W 14 | W 15 | W 15 | W 15 | W 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 862 | 605 | 471 | 458 | 443 | 336 | 210 | 281 | 681 | 1260 | 2756 | 2586 | 6200 | 4415 | 3294 | 2228 | 2281 | 590 | 1288 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | on | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 3:41AM2.70m | 4:03PM2.63m | 4:45AM2.59m | 5:12PM2.55m | 5:55AM2.55m | 6:28PM2.55m | 7:04AM2.59m | 7:37PM2.64m | 8:04AM2.69m | 8:33PM2.78m | 8:55AM2.83m | 9:17PM2.94m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:24PM1.20m | 9:50AM1.28m | 10:23PM1.36m | 10:53AM1.43m | 11:36PM1.46m | 12:08PM1.50m | 00:50AM1.47m | 1:23PM1.46m | 1:55AM1.39m | 2:23PM1.34m | 2:47AM1.26m | 3:10PM1.19m | |||||||
 |  | |  |  | |  |  |  |  | |  |  |  | | | | |  | |
 | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 9 | 13 | 3 | 3 | 2 | — | — | 3 | 4 | 8 | 3 |
Temp °C | 9 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 |
Feels °C | 7 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | W 11 | WSW 19 | WSW 16 | — | N 8 | W 14 | W 15 | W 15 | W 15 | — | WSW 14 | WSW 13 |
| kJ | 862 | 605 | 471 | 458 | 443 | 336 | 210 | 281 | 120 | 87 | — | 44 | 6200 | 4415 | 3294 | 2228 | — | 563 | 1288 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 20 | W 13 | W 13 | W 19 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 7 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 121 | 31 | 66 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 132 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 20 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 8 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 30 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 80 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 4 | WNW 7 | WNW 10 | W 9 | W 10 | — | — | — | — | W 14 | WNW 7 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 21 | 681 | 1260 | 2756 | 2586 | — | — | — | — | 2281 | 590 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 156 | 0 | 128 | 190 | 190 | 201 | 210 | 153 | 0 | 85 | 38 | 190 | 156 | 153 |
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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