Surf Forecasts:
Kahutara surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 31 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 12s period, SSW swell with 5,324 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 26 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 15s 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 Wednesday (Aug 26) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 13s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 4s is also forecast. 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 4.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 31) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 7s period and expected on Friday (Aug 28) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Wed 26th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Mon 31st Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Mon 31st Aug) | 15ft (4.5m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kahutara over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Kahutara.
This is a classic point and reef set-up that’s fairly consistent and picks up a south swell. The water’s sitting at about 50°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
We’re starting off with a small swell. Wednesday the 26th has a clean 3 ft south groundswell with a very long 15-second period and a light cross-off breeze. It’s small, but clean. The combined energy is weak (354). Friday the 28th is similar, with clean but tiny waves.
Then we get a bit of a bump on Saturday the 29th, with a 3 ft south swell, 11-second period, and offshore west winds. It’ll be clean and rideable, but still small with moderate energy (209).
The real standout is Monday the 31st. After a messy, windy morning with a lumpy 7 ft swell, the afternoon turns it on. A clean 5 ft south swell (1026 energy) with a 14-second period, and offshore west-northwest winds. That’s the pick of the first week and will be worth the wait for anyone who can handle a solid wave.
But if you really want to get excited, the big dog is on Tuesday the 1st of September. That morning Kahutara is looking at an exceptional 13 ft south groundswell with a 14-second period. The energy reading is massive at 6930, and the wind is glassy – dead calm. This is strictly for experienced surfers only. That size and power at a reef and point break will be a sight to behold, but it’s way too big for anyone but the pros.
After that, the swell drops right back. Wednesday the 2nd has a clean 5 ft swell, but it quickly fades into the 1 ft to 3 ft range for the rest of the second week. The winds stay light and often offshore or glassy, so you’ll have clean conditions, but the energy is weak. There’s a brief pulse on Tuesday the 8th of September with a 5 ft south swell (997 energy) and glassy conditions in the morning, which is a nice little revival for the second week, but nothing compares to that 13 ft day.
For the standout day, it’s no contest. Tuesday morning, the 1st of September, at Kahutara. 13 ft south groundswell, 14-second period, and glassy conditions. Just remember, this is an expert-only wave on that day.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Wed night. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed afternoon, min 8°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun morning, min 7°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat afternoon, strong winds from the WNW by Sun afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 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) | S 15 | S 15 | S 17 | S 16 | S 15 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 14 | S 10 | S 13 | S 12 | S 10 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 215 | 291 | 659 | 1106 | 869 | 551 | 278 | 169 | 119 | 149 | 135 | 71 | 27 | 150 | 1631 | 2323 | 980 | 3071 | 2128 | 1472 | 1039 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | glassy | cross | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:17PM1.87m | 3:36AM1.79m | 3:59PM1.88m | 4:18AM1.81m | 4:40PM1.91m | 5:00AM1.83m | 5:20PM1.93m | 5:45AM1.86m | 6:03PM1.94m | 6:32AM1.89m | 6:50PM1.94m | 7:21AM1.92m | 7:42PM1.93m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:30PM0.63m | 9:46AM0.57m | 10:14PM0.58m | 10:31AM0.53m | 10:58PM0.53m | 11:13AM0.49m | 11:41PM0.50m | 11:55AM0.46m | 00:24AM0.48m | 12:39PM0.46m | 1:08AM0.48m | 1:26PM0.48m | 1:55AM0.49m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — |
 | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — |
mm | — | — | 9 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 18 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 |
Feels °C | 14 | 15 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 12 | 9 | 4 | 7 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | S 15 | S 7 | S 16 | S 15 | ENE 6 | S 12 | NE 7 | ENE 8 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 14 | S 16 | S 13 | S 12 | — | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 |
| kJ | 215 | 291 | 196 | 1106 | 869 | 140 | 278 | 139 | 82 | 149 | 135 | 71 | 27 | 150 | 329 | 2323 | 980 | — | 2128 | 1472 | 1039 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 14 | ESE 13 | S 17 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | S 13 | SE 16 | S 12 | S 11 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | SE 12 | S 9 | — | SE 11 | NNE 4 | — | — | — | S 16 |
| kJ | 38 | 17 | 659 | 16 | 13 | 551 | 10 | 169 | 119 | 24 | 23 | 15 | 22 | 14 | — | 5 | 7 | — | — | — | 412 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 14 | E 11 | SE 13 | — | — | ESE 12 | — | ENE 8 | SSE 14 | SSE 14 | SE 13 | SE 12 | S 17 | SE 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 5 |
| kJ | 37 | 9 | 26 | — | — | 13 | — | 19 | 63 | 62 | 27 | 23 | 23 | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 3 | NE 4 | S 7 | E 6 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NE 7 | — | NW 3 | — | — | W 2 | — | W 4 | S 10 | — | WSW 3 | S 10 | — | ENE 3 | — |
| kJ | 2 | 4 | 289 | 49 | 98 | 305 | 276 | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | 18 | 1631 | — | 2 | 3071 | — | 5 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 19 | 163 | 121 | 0 | 97 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 81 | 106 | 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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