Surf Forecasts:
Kahutara surf forecast from 25 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 1 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 1 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, S swell with 2,068 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 26 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 15s period with ESE 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 Sunday (Jul 26) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Kahutara in the next 16 days are 3.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 01) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.1m 7s period and expected on Friday (Jul 31) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Sun 26th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Sat 1st Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Sat 1st Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kahutara over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let's talk Kahutara. This is a reef and point setup, and it's got a few moments of real magic in the 16-day window, but it ain't a constant performer. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing weird there.
The real standout is Tuesday the 28th of July. That morning, we’re looking at clean, glassy conditions with an offshore breeze. The swell is a solid 5.9ft from the ESE with a period of 13 seconds, so there's plenty of energy in the water (combined energy of 1057). This is proper groundswell, and at a reef and point, it's gonna line up nicely. That's a session for experienced surfers, as the size is a bit much for the groms, but the quality is top-tier.
The next best window is the 29th of July. That Wednesday morning, the swell holds at 4.9ft from the ESE, still with a lovely offshore wind and clean conditions. The energy is still strong (815). By the afternoon, the wind goes totally glassy, and the swell is 4.6ft. It's a beautiful, long day of clean surf.
The first week of August has some serious size, but it's a bit of a mixed bag. On the 1st of August, the swell jumps to 9.8ft, which is only for the brave and experienced. The wind is cross-off, and the period is short at 9 seconds, so it's gonna be a bit of a washing machine. The combined energy is massive (2047), but the short period and big size make it less about finesse and more about survival. The 2nd of August morning is a redemption with a 5.9ft SE swell, glassy and clean, but the period is short again at 9 seconds, so the waves might be a bit dumpy.
There are a few other days with okay surf, like the 4th of August with a clean 3.3ft from the south, but it's nothing to write home about. The 8th of August has some tiny, glassy 1.6ft waves, which is a good option for a longboard or a beginner.
The gap between the 9th and 10th of August has some size, but the wind is a mess. The 10th of August morning is promising, with a 4.3ft SE swell, glassy conditions, and a solid energy (1074), but it's a long way out, so treat it as a promising maybe.
So, to sum it up: the absolute best on offer is the morning of Tuesday the 28th of July. Get there early. The 29th of July is a close second, and a brilliant day for a long session. The 2nd of August morning is also worth a look if you want something a bit smaller but still clean.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 11°C on Tue morning, min 5°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Fri night. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu morning, min 5°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | ESE 13 | E 12 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | E 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | E 11 | E 12 | SSW 7 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 339 | 352 | 225 | 377 | 581 | 828 | 917 | 1025 | 946 | 692 | 537 | 439 | 347 | 228 | 133 | 116 | 98 | 594 | 1594 | 2068 | 1621 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | off | off | glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | off | glassy | off | off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 2:23PM1.90m | 2:44AM1.79m | 3:08PM1.89m | 3:28AM1.79m | 3:52PM1.89m | 4:10AM1.78m | 4:34PM1.88m | 4:51AM1.78m | 5:14PM1.88m | 5:34AM1.78m | 5:54PM1.89m | 6:18AM1.77m | 6:34PM1.89m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:43PM0.72m | 8:45AM0.69m | 9:25PM0.71m | 9:33AM0.65m | 10:07PM0.68m | 10:19AM0.61m | 10:50PM0.63m | 11:03AM0.56m | 11:34PM0.59m | 11:44AM0.52m | 00:16AM0.54m | 12:24PM0.50m | 00:57AM0.52m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | |  | |  |  |  | | | |
 | 7:41 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — |
 | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | 4 | — | — |
Temp °C | 7 | 8 | 5 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 6 | 6 | 5 |
Feels °C | 4 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | ESE 14 | ESE 13 | E 12 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | E 12 | ESE 12 | NE 7 | E 11 | E 12 | E 11 | SE 15 | S 10 | SSE 9 |
| kJ | 94 | 352 | 225 | 377 | 581 | 828 | 917 | 1025 | 946 | 692 | 537 | 439 | 347 | 228 | 102 | 116 | 98 | 61 | 215 | 1448 | 1234 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 15 | SSE 7 | E 13 | SSE 6 | SE 6 | SSW 10 | SSW 8 | SSW 7 | SSW 10 | NE 5 | NE 6 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | NE 7 | ESE 11 | ENE 6 | ENE 8 | SE 14 | E 11 | SE 15 | SE 13 |
| kJ | 339 | 82 | 219 | 27 | 19 | 33 | 14 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 9 | 83 | 74 | 25 | 133 | 23 | 32 | 100 | 36 | 284 | 299 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 11 | E 11 | SSE 7 | SE 13 | S 13 | — | S 12 | — | — | S 15 | SSW 15 | NNE 6 | NE 7 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | NNE 7 | SE 15 | NE 9 | NE 10 | E 10 | E 10 |
| kJ | 88 | 83 | 45 | 85 | 89 | — | 11 | — | — | 17 | 42 | 3 | 2 | 48 | 44 | 18 | 83 | 20 | 25 | 19 | 18 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 7 | — | — | SSW 7 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | 449 | — | — | 594 | 1594 | 2068 | 1621 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 9 | 135 | 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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