Dinner Plates surf break

Dinner Plates surfForecast / Catlins / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 am Saturday 18 Apr 2026 NZST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Dinner Plates surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Dinner Plates sea temperature is
14.7° C
(Which is 3.3°C warmer than normal for this time of year)

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Dinner Plates this week:

The surf forecast for Dinner Plates over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Apr 18) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 18s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Dinner Plates in the next 16 days are 3.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Apr 20) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Saturday (Apr 18) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Sat 18th Apr)3ft (0.9m) 14s
Best Surf 3AM (Fri 24th Apr)7.5ft (2.3m) 11s
Most Powerful 3AM (Mon 20th Apr)10ft (3.0m) 9s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Dinner Plates over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Sat morning, min 8°C on Mon morning). Winds increasing (calm on Sat night, fresh winds from the SE by Sun night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Tue afternoon, min 7°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSE on Wed afternoon, light winds from the E by Thu night).

Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
3
1
3
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
4
2
4
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.1
SW
0.9
SW
0.8
SSW
1.1
SW
0.8
SW
2.5
S
2.5
SSE
1.7
SE
1.5
S
1.9
ESE
1.9
ESE
1.9
E
1.6
E
1.9
S
3
SSE
2.4
SSE
2.2
SSE
1.5
ESE
2.3
SE
1.8
ESE
1.6
ESE
Period(s) (?)14141614141088889910799910111111
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)459336326528285115885032627340850664147238711819637845021223785628
Wind
(km/h)
15
WNW
20
W
0
NNE
15
SSE
10
SSE
30
SE
25
ESE
25
ESE
30
ESE
30
ESE
30
ESE
25
SE
25
SSE
35
SSE
25
SE
25
ESE
20
ESE
15
E
15
ENE
15
ESE
15
ENE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
crossglasscross-
on
oncross-
on
cross-
on
crosscrosscrosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
crosscrosscross-
off
crosscross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
2:42PM
2.40
3:05AM
2.30
3:33PM
2.40
3:56AM
2.27
4:27PM
2.36
4:50AM
2.21
5:25PM
2.28
5:49AM
2.13
6:29PM
2.19
6:54AM
2.06
7:36PM
2.11
8:03AM
2.02
8:46PM
2.07
Low Tide
/ height (m)
8:55PM
0.07
9:15AM
0.05
9:47PM
0.13
10:09AM
0.09
10:44PM
0.22
11:07AM
0.16
11:45PM
0.31
12:11PM
0.24
12:51AM
0.39
1:19PM
0.29
1:59AM
0.42
2:27PM
0.31
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Sunrise7:24--7:24--7:26--7:28--7:28--7:31--7:31--
Sunset-6:00--5:59--5:57--5:55--5:53--5:52--5:51-
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
rain showers
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
Rain (mm)
-3---2------11-------
Temp. °C13111011111099889999899710108
Feels °C (?)1179884221122201232654
  • 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 Dinner Plates Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Dinner Plates provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Dinner Plates can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Dinner Plates 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 (Dinner Plates) 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 Dinner Plates 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.

Ding Dangs is 2 km (1 miles) from the city of Mossel Bay. If you plan a holiday in Garden Route, look for hotels and other accommodation in Mossel Bay. Mossel Bay has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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