Surf Forecasts:
Kahutara surf forecast from 1 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 8 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 11s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 8 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 11s period, S swell with 3,862 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 1 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 13s period with S swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Kahutara this week:
The surf forecast for Kahutara over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 13s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Kahutara in the next 16 days are 4.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 08) 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 1.5m 7s period and expected on Friday (Sep 04) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kahutara over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s heading our way at Kahutara. We’ve got a solid run of surf, but it’s not for everyone.
The week kicks off with a bang. Tuesday morning, September 1, we’re looking at a serious 13ft SSW swell with a 12-second period. The water’s sitting at 52°, which is about average for this time of year. With a light cross-off SW breeze at 6 mph, it’s clean, but make no mistake—this is for experts only. The energy is pumping hard (7209), and the sets will be meaty. This is the standout of the whole forecast. After that, Tuesday afternoon drops to a messy 10ft with a cross-on breeze, so morning is definitely the call.
Wednesday September 2 keeps the quality high. A 8ft S swell rolls in at 15 seconds—proper groundswell energy (3055). Glassy offshore WNW wind at 3 mph means absolutely clean conditions. This is excellent for experienced surfers, and the point setup at Kahutara will love that long period. Thursday morning, September 3, is smaller at 3ft but still clean with a NW offshore. After that, we hit a dry patch. From Thursday afternoon through Sunday September 6, the swell drops right off—1ft to 2ft, weak energy, and a lot of onshore cross-chop. There’s about three days of frustratingly small, ordinary waves.
Monday September 7 sees a spike back to 8ft, but the period is a short 6 seconds, and a fresh cross-off wind makes it look more like wind-swell slop. Not the one. Tuesday September 8 is where we get another highlight: an 8ft S groundswell at 11 seconds, glassy conditions in the afternoon with clean faces. The energy is solid (3442). Wednesday September 9 is glassy again in the morning with 10ft SSE swell at 12 seconds—another expert-only session, but pristine. Through the rest of the second week, the swell tapers off gradually. 4ft to 6ft, mostly cross-on winds, but Thursday September 10 still has some clean early morning options at 6ft.
The final standout? Wednesday morning September 16. Glassy conditions, 6ft S swell at 14 seconds, and very good energy (1367). It won’t be huge, but it’ll be clean and well-shaped for experienced surfers. The crowds at Kahutara can show up sometimes, so get in early.
So overall: Tuesday September 1 morning and Tuesday September 8 afternoon are your best shots for proper, powerful, clean waves. A few days of flatness in between, but the quality is there if you time it right.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 8°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun afternoon, min 7°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat morning, strong winds from the SW by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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) | SSW 12 | S 13 | S 13 | S 15 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 16 | S 15 | S 8 | S 9 | S 16 | S 17 | S 17 | ENE 7 | SSW 6 | S 11 | S 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 4880 | 2940 | 1968 | 2272 | 1559 | 712 | 264 | 185 | 96 | 42 | 44 | 17 | 66 | 57 | 47 | 93 | 91 | 48 | 501 | 3844 | 3862 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross | off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | glassy |
High Tide | 7:42PM1.93m | 8:12AM1.96m | 8:38PM1.92m | 9:04AM1.99m | 9:35PM1.91m | 9:58AM2.01m | 10:31PM1.91m | 10:54AM2.02m | 11:26PM1.92m | 11:52AM2.03m | 00:21AM1.93m | 12:48PM2.04m | 1:16AM1.95m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:26PM0.48m | 1:55AM0.49m | 2:18PM0.51m | 2:46AM0.50m | 3:16PM0.54m | 3:43AM0.50m | 4:16PM0.54m | 4:41AM0.49m | 5:18PM0.52m | 5:38AM0.45m | 6:16PM0.47m | 6:32AM0.41m | 7:10PM0.41m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | | | | |  |  | | | | | | |  |  | | |  | |
 | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — |
 | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 9 | 10 | 9 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 18 | 19 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 17 | 18 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 7 |
Feels °C | 6 | 6 | 5 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 15 | 16 | 12 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 16 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 13 | S 13 | S 15 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | NE 6 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 9 | SSW 8 | NE 8 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 10 | S 11 |
| kJ | 2329 | 2940 | 1968 | 2272 | 1559 | 712 | 264 | 185 | 96 | 25 | 26 | 14 | 66 | 57 | 24 | 45 | 134 | 48 | 27 | 18 | 2476 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 18 | S 17 | NE 10 | SE 12 | NNE 5 | NE 5 | NE 6 | S 9 | NE 6 | S 15 | S 15 | S 14 | S 16 | S 17 | S 17 | S 16 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 229 | 783 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 42 | 6 | 17 | 17 | 37 | 47 | 93 | 91 | 46 | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NE 11 | NE 11 | — | NE 10 | SE 11 | SE 11 | S 15 | NE 8 | S 16 | S 6 | NE 7 | SE 9 | — | SSW 8 | S 8 | S 9 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 5 | 4 | — | 4 | 5 | 5 | 18 | 10 | 44 | 3 | 2 | 3 | — | 14 | 5 | 6 | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | — | — | — | — | N 3 | WNW 3 | — | — | — | W 4 | WNW 3 | — | — | — | NNE 7 | — | WSW 3 | SSW 6 | S 11 | S 11 |
| kJ | 4880 | — | — | — | — | 8 | 1 | — | — | — | 38 | 3 | — | — | — | 249 | — | 1 | 501 | 3844 | 3862 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 80 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 0 | 23 | 0 | 172 | 0 | 134 | 133 | 383 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Kaikoura and Marlborough | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Kahutara Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Kahutara provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Kahutara can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Kahutara 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 (Kahutara) 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 Kahutara 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.
Kahutara is 106 km (66 miles) from the city of Blenheim. If you plan a holiday in Kaikoura and Marlborough, look for hotels and other accommodation in Blenheim. Blenheim has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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