Surf Forecasts:
Kahutara surf forecast from 20 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 21 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 15s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 27 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 13s period, ESE swell with 1,725 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 21 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 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 Tuesday (Jul 21) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 3s 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 2.2m 13s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 27) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 7s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Tue 21st Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Tue 21st Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Mon 27th Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kahutara over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. We’ve got a 16-day window for Kahutara, a reef and point set-up exposed to the south swell. Water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing unusual.
The early part is small but clean. Tuesday the 21st kicks off with a 5-foot south swell, 14-second period, and light offshore wind. That’s proper long-period groundswell, will wrap nicely into the point with good shape and energy, combined energy of all swells here is 966 (moderate). Wednesday the 22nd drops to 3 feet, clean but small. Thursday and Friday are flat, so don’t bother.
Then we get a shake-up. Saturday the 25th afternoon sees a 7-foot short-period south-southwest swell with 15 mph cross-off wind, but it’s messy. Sunday the 26th is a bit better: 3 feet and 3 feet from the east-southeast, long-period (15 seconds), clean but the wind is a bit strong. The real standout is Monday the 27th. Morning brings 4 feet east swell, 15 seconds, offshore from the west-northwest, and combined energy is 1263 (moderate). The afternoon bumps to 6 feet east-southeast, 13 seconds, still clean. This is the best of the first week – great shape, good power, and the point will handle that long period well. Crowds are possible, so get in early.
Tuesday the 28th jumps to 7 feet east-southeast but the cross-on wind and chop spoil it. Still, for stronger surfers that’s a solid wave. Wednesday the 29th is similar, 5 feet, but the wind is off. Thursday the 30th morning looks clean again with 5 feet east-southeast, 13 seconds, and cross-off wind – good call. Friday the 31st morning is offshore clean with 4 feet, but the afternoon gets blown out. Saturday August 1st morning is glassy, 6 feet south, 9 seconds – short period but clean. Sunday August 2nd morning is glassy again, 5 feet south, 14 seconds – beautiful groundswell.
Now, the big one. Monday August 3rd morning is 18 feet south-southwest, 13 seconds, glassy, but that’s too big for this break. Combined energy is 18406 (very strong). Only for experts, and sketchy. Tuesday August 4th morning is the standout of the whole run: 15 feet south, 12 seconds, glassy, combined energy of 9230 (very strong). This is exceptional, but only for the most experienced. The point will handle it, but you need to be on your game. Wednesday August 5th drops to 12 feet south-southeast, 15 seconds, but the wind is cross-shore, so not as clean.
Overall, the best bets are Monday the 27th for the all-rounder, and Tuesday August 4th for the big-swell crew. Keep an eye on the forecast, long-range stuff is promising but can shift.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu afternoon, min 7°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri morning, min 3°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri afternoon, fresh winds from the SW by Sat morning). | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | SSW 13 | SSE 12 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 9 | ESE 12 | S 16 | S 17 | SSW 8 | SE 16 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | S 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1546 | 877 | 577 | 268 | 149 | 60 | 46 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 45 | 52 | 469 | 258 | 272 | 312 | 248 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | off | glassy | off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 9:46PM1.96m | 10:14AM1.96m | 10:39PM1.92m | 11:05AM1.94m | 11:29PM1.87m | 11:57AM1.92m | 00:18AM1.84m | 12:47PM1.92m | 1:07AM1.81m | 1:35PM1.91m | 1:56AM1.79m | 2:23PM1.90m | 2:44AM1.79m | ||||||
Low Tide | 4:00AM0.46m | 4:24PM0.57m | 4:53AM0.53m | 5:22PM0.65m | 5:44AM0.59m | 6:19PM0.70m | 6:31AM0.65m | 7:12PM0.72m | 7:15AM0.68m | 7:59PM0.73m | 7:59AM0.70m | 8:43PM0.72m | |||||||
 |  | |  | | | |  | | | | | |  | |  | |  | | |
 | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:21 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 8 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 4 |
Feels °C | 5 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 8 | -1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | -1 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | SSE 12 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | SE 18 | S 7 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | SSE 6 |
| kJ | 1546 | 877 | 577 | 268 | 149 | 47 | 46 | 5 | 8 | 6 | 36 | 90 | 26 | 21 | 150 | 146 | 272 | 312 | 147 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SE 11 | ESE 11 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 9 | ESE 12 | S 16 | SE 13 | S 16 | SE 16 | SSW 15 | E 11 | ESE 13 |
| kJ | 104 | 71 | 48 | 31 | 23 | 60 | 35 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 45 | 27 | 46 | 258 | 74 | 59 | 229 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NE 4 | ENE 4 | NE 5 | — | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | ESE 12 | SSE 9 | ESE 13 | S 17 | ENE 8 | S 16 | ENE 11 | SSW 10 | E 11 |
| kJ | — | 4 | 2 | 4 | — | 11 | 11 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 14 | 8 | 16 | 52 | 13 | 45 | 25 | 37 | 84 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 3 | NE 4 | — | — | — | — | NE 2 | — | — | — | — | NNE 8 | — | SW 5 | SSW 8 | — | SSE 6 | S 6 | S 7 |
| kJ | 7 | 18 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 327 | — | 143 | 469 | — | 117 | 126 | 248 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 19 | 70 | 133 | 19 | 9 | 0 | 191 | 121 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 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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