Kahutara surf break

Kahutara surfForecast / Kaikoura and Marlborough / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Monday 26 Jan 2026 NZDT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Kahutara surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Kahutara sea temperature is
16.9° C
(Which is 1.1°C warmer than normal for this time of year)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Kahutara this week:

The surf forecast for Kahutara over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jan 27) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Kahutara in the next 12 days are 2.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jan 27) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Monday (Feb 02) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10AM (Tue 27th Jan)6ft (1.8m) 10s
Best Surf10AM (Tue 27th Jan)6ft (1.8m) 10s
Most Powerful 7AM (Tue 27th Jan)6.5ft (2.0m) 10s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kahutara over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Moderate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Mon night. Warm (max 23°C on Thu morning, min 13°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 22°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Mon
26
Tuesday
27
Wednesday
28
Thursday
29
Friday
30
Saturday
31
Sunday
01
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
3
2
2
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
3
1
1
1
2
0
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
2
S
1.8
S
1.8
S
1.7
S
1.5
S
1.2
S
1
S
0.8
S
0.6
S
0.4
ENE
1.4
S
1.2
S
1.2
S
1.1
S
0.8
S
0.9
S
0.8
S
0.5
S
0.7
S
1.8
NE
0.7
ENE
Period(s) (?)101010101099881057141411109151466
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)83462362355540723015086423211313056143614615610610918020633
Wind
(km/h)
10
E
10
SSE
10
SW
10
SSW
5
NW
15
NE
15
ENE
5
W
0
S
10
ENE
15
S
5
ENE
20
ENE
5
WSW
15
SSW
10
SE
0
NNE
5
ESE
15
ENE
10
NNE
10
NNE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
oncross-
on
cross-
off
crossglasscross-
on
cross-
on
offglasscross-
on
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
crossonglassglasscross-
on
crosscross
High Tide
/ height (m)
11:46PM
1.96
12:16PM
1.92
12:42AM
2.00
1:11PM
1.93
1:40AM
2.05
2:09PM
1.95
2:37AM
2.09
3:07PM
1.98
3:32AM
2.13
4:02PM
2.01
4:26AM
2.14
4:55PM
2.03
5:20AM
2.14
Low Tide
/ height (m)
5:34PM
0.48
6:00AM
0.54
6:31PM
0.47
7:03AM
0.53
7:26PM
0.44
8:03AM
0.49
8:19PM
0.41
9:00AM
0.43
9:14PM
0.37
9:54AM
0.38
10:11PM
0.33
10:46AM
0.34
11:08PM
0.29
11:40AM
0.33
Mon
26
Tuesday
27
Wednesday
28
Thursday
29
Friday
30
Saturday
31
Sunday
01
Sunrise--6:20--6:22--6:22--6:24--6:26--6:26--6:28
Sunset8:54--8:53--8:52--8:52--8:51--8:50--8:49--
rain showers
heavy rain
light rain
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
Rain (mm)
2141-------2----------
Temp. °C171514151418191823221816171618181518191927
Feels °C (?)161413141416171922211513131616181617171825
  • 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 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 12 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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