Surf Forecasts:
Cobden Breakwater surf forecast from 12 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 15 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, W swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 15 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, W swell with 5,316 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 13 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 7s period with NNW 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 Monday (Jul 13) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 14s. 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 3.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 6s period and expected on Monday (Jul 13) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Mon 13th Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Wed 15th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Wed 15th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cobden Breakwater over the next 16 days.
Alright, let’s break it down for Cobden Breakwater over this 16-day stretch.
We’ve got a slow start, but once the swell kicks in, there’s some real quality on the way. The standout window is from Wednesday, July 15th through Sunday, July 19th, with a long-period groundswell that’s packing serious energy. The water temp is about average for this time of year – nothing unusual.
Monday the 13th is pretty weak – a small 0.7m WSW swell with a 20 km/h cross-off wind, not worth getting wet for. That afternoon jumps to 2.0m from the NNW but with a short 7-second period and moderate breeze – a bit lumpy.
Tuesday the 14th is messy. Morning has 1.6m WNW swell, cross-off wind, light rain – just average. The afternoon turns ugly with 2.5m NW, 30 km/h cross-shore wind and lumpy chop – that’s more for kite surfers.
Wednesday the 15th is where it’s at. Morning at Cobden Breakwater serves up a solid 3.0m W swell with a 15-second period – proper groundswell. Combined energy is pumping at 4475, and with a light breeze and clean conditions, this is the best on offer across the whole run. It’s over 2.5m, so experts only. That long period will wrap in nicely at this breakwater, and the WSW optimum direction aligns perfectly. This is the standout.
Thursday the 16th keeps the quality high. Morning has 2.4m W swell (15 seconds) and glassy conditions with 5 km/h southerly wind – combined energy 2407. That afternoon is just as glassy with 2.3m W. Still expert territory but clean as a whistle.
Friday the 17th drops to 1.5m W swell in the morning, glassy, 14 seconds, combined energy 1467. Still excellent for experienced surfers. Afternoon goes onshore, so morning is the call.
Saturday the 18th sees 1.9m WSW swell with a 17-second period in the afternoon – very long period, combined energy 2111. Offshore wind and clear skies. A beauty.
Sunday the 19th is another gem. Morning has 2.0m W, 15 seconds, offshore wind, combined energy 1934. Afternoon goes glassy with 1.8m W.
From Monday the 20th through Sunday the 27th, the swell tapers. Monday the 20th still offers clean 1-1.3m WSW swell with glassy conditions – a nice option for intermediates. Tuesday through Thursday has smaller 0.9-1.5m swell, clean mornings. Friday the 24th onward gets small and ordinary. The 28th brings a 1.7m NNW pulse with moderate offshore wind but short 9-second period.
Bottom line: Wednesday the 15th to Sunday the 19th is your window. The 15th is the crown jewel: 3.0m, 15 seconds, clean, and the swell direction is spot-on. For the smaller days, morning sessions with glassy or offshore wind are your best bet.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 71mm), heaviest during Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue afternoon, min 8°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 13°C on Wed night, min 8°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sun 19 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | NNW 7 | NW 9 | WNW 10 | NW 8 | W 16 | W 15 | W 15 | W 14 | W 15 | W 14 | W 9 | W 14 | W 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | W 15 | W 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 346 | 204 | 428 | 968 | 482 | 886 | 5316 | 4475 | 3881 | 2803 | 2407 | 2185 | 866 | 874 | 861 | 704 | 1512 | 2111 | 1892 | 1934 | 1392 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | on | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | on | glassy | cross-off | off | cross | off | glassy |
High Tide | 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 | 1:39PM3.26m | 1:58AM3.31m | 2:24PM3.11m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 7:45PM0.72m | 8:15AM0.75m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  |  |  | | | | |  |  |  | | |  |  | | | | | |
 | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:58 | — |
 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 |
mm | 5 | — | 16 | 14 | 4 | 9 | 10 | 4 | 9 | 5 | — | 1 | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | 4 | — | — |
Temp °C | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 |
Feels °C | 6 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | W 14 | NW 9 | WNW 10 | W 13 | W 16 | W 15 | W 15 | W 14 | W 15 | W 14 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | WSW 14 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | W 15 | W 15 |
| kJ | 346 | 204 | 101 | 968 | 482 | 324 | 5316 | 4475 | 3881 | 2803 | 2407 | 2185 | 866 | 593 | 542 | 412 | 1512 | 2111 | 1892 | 1934 | 1392 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 12 | N 11 | — | WSW 13 | NNW 8 | W 18 | N 7 | — | — | — | — | — | W 14 | W 14 | W 14 | WSW 14 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 3 | 2 | — | 58 | 244 | 163 | 108 | — | — | — | — | — | 494 | 874 | 861 | 704 | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | W 22 | WSW 19 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 9 | 72 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 4 | N 6 | NNW 7 | — | — | NW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 2 | 116 | 428 | — | — | 886 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 128 | 0 | 0 | 128 | 214 | 0 | 0 | 153 | 190 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 153 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 122 | 0 | 0 |
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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