Cobden Breakwater Surf Break

Lat Long: 42.44° S 171.20° E

Cobden Breakwater Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 18 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Cobden Breakwater sea temperature is
12.7° C
0.5° 

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 18 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 10s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 15s period, W swell with 8,381 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 10s 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 Tuesday (Aug 18) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 14s. 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 4.5m 15s 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 1.3m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Tue 18th Aug)5ft (1.6m) 10s
Best Surf 9PM (Tue 18th Aug)5ft (1.6m) 10s
Most Powerful12AM (Mon 24th Aug)15ft (4.5m) 15s

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


The Lowdown

G'day, Rusty here. Let's talk about what Cobden Breakwater has lined up for the next couple of weeks. The water's about 55°F, which is normal for this time of year, so no need to stress about a cold snap.

The early part of the week is where the real fun is. The standout is Tuesday morning, the 18th of August. You're looking at a clean 6ft swell from the WSW with an 11-second period, and the combined energy is solid moderate (723). The wind is a light cross-off from the ESE, so those waves are going to be well-shaped and clean. It's an intermediate wave at a fairly consistent spot, so this is your window if you're keen.

Wednesday morning, the 19th, is another gem. The swell drops a bit to 4ft, but the period jumps to a very long 16 seconds – that's proper groundswell energy. The combined energy is strong (983). It's clean with that cross-off from the East, and that long-period swell will wrap beautifully around the breakwater. A real ripper.

Thursday the 20th keeps the good run going with another clean morning, 4ft of WSW swell at 14 seconds (moderate energy of 605), and light cross-off winds. That clean morning pattern holds through Friday the 21st, with a smaller 3ft swell and glassy offshore winds for some clean, fun waves.

Then things get rowdy. From Saturday the 22nd through to about Tuesday the 26th, the swell pumps up big time – we're talking 10ft to 13ft of westerly windswell – but the wind is onshore and howling. The combined energy goes through the roof (over 3000 on Sunday morning), but it's going to be a choppy, lumpy mess. That's more of a kite-surfing scene than a paddle session.

Things clean up by Friday the 28th with a smaller, clean 3ft swell from the West, but the morning of Saturday the 29th is the one to watch. Glassy conditions, a 6ft swell from the NW, and combined energy of moderate (620). That's going to be a clean, fun session with no wind to ruin it.

Sunday the 30th morning is another cracker, with a clean 6ft from the NW (782 energy) and a light cross-off wind. The following Monday, the 31st, holds clean with a 5ft NNW swell and offshore winds.

Looking way out, Wednesday morning, the 2nd of September, is a bit of a wildcard. The swell is tiny at 2ft, but it's from the WSW with a very long 16-second period and glassy conditions. It'll be super clean and lined up, but you'll want a longboard or some patience to get any joy.

To sum it up: the absolute best is Tuesday the 18th morning. It's got the size, the right direction, and clean wind. Wednesday the 19th morning is a very close second with that epic long-period groundswell. Get out there early, because the afternoons get tricky.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 11°C on Tue afternoon, min 6°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 39mm), heaviest during Sat morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Sat afternoon, min 9°C on Fri morning). Winds increasing (calm on Fri morning, fresh winds from the WNW by Sat night).

Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
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
2
3
2
3
3
1
2
2
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.7
WSW
11
1.6
WSW
10
1.6
WSW
10
1.2
WSW
16
1.2
WSW
15
1.5
WSW
14
1.2
WSW
14
1.1
WSW
14
1
WSW
13
1
WSW
14
0.9
WSW
14
0.7
WSW
14
1.3
W
11
3
WNW
9
3
WNW
8
4
W
10
3.5
W
11
4.5
W
15
3.5
W
14
3
W
14
2.4
W
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
698
492
473
730
666
862
605
471
384
443
336
210
403
1288
1181
3232
2909
8381
5067
3388
2326
Wind (km/h)
10
ESE
5
WSW
15
ESE
15
E
10
NW
10
E
10
E
5
WNW
5
E
5
E
10
W
5
W
25
N
25
NW
40
WNW
30
W
30
WSW
25
W
25
W
20
W
20
WNW
Wind State
cross-off
on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
off
on
on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
2:24PM2.92m
2:49AM2.87m
3:08PM2.77m
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
Low Tide
8:35PM1.00m
9:01AM1.09m
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
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
mod rain
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
mod rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:24
7:22
7:20
7:18
7:18
7:16
7:13
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:53
5:54
5:55
5:57
5:58
5:59
6:00
 mm
6
7
10
5
4
7
4
4
5
Temp °C
10
11
9
11
11
9
11
11
9
11
11
10
11
13
13
11
11
12
13
13
13
Feels °C
8
8
5
8
8
7
10
9
7
10
8
8
6
9
6
4
4
7
8
9
9
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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