Kairaki Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 43.39° S 172.71° E

Kairaki Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 18 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Kairaki Beach sea temperature is
9.9° C
0.6° 

Kairaki Beach surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Kairaki Beach surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, SSE swell with 425 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period with SSE swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Kairaki Beach this week:

The surf forecast for Kairaki Beach over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Kairaki Beach in the next 16 days are 0.9m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) 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 0.8m 4s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Wed 19th Aug)3ft (0.9m) 16s
Best Surf 3AM (Wed 19th Aug)3ft (0.9m) 16s
Most Powerful 3AM (Wed 19th Aug)3ft (0.9m) 16s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kairaki Beach over the next 16 days.


Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Wed morning. Very mild (max 10°C on Wed afternoon, min 7°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Tue afternoon, calm by Thu morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon morning, min 6°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri night, strong winds from the NW by Sat night).

Tue
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
S
11
0.9
SE
15
0.4
SSE
15
0.5
E
10
0.6
ESE
9
0.4
ESE
9
0.2
SSE
17
0.2
SSE
16
0.2
SSE
16
0.2
SSE
12
0.2
SSE
11
0.2
SSE
11
0.1
E
15
0.8
NNE
4
0.2
E
14
0.2
E
13
0.2
SSE
14
0.9
N
4
0.2
S
18
0.2
S
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
260
314
89
48
52
27
29
26
24
14
12
11
5
16
14
14
19
25
24
20
Wind (km/h)
30
SSW
20
WSW
15
WSW
10
SW
10
WSW
5
W
10
E
10
NE
5
NNE
15
E
10
WNW
15
NW
25
NNW
30
NNW
10
WNW
35
WNW
10
W
5
N
20
NW
30
NNW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
9:18PM1.82m
9:50AM1.82m
10:13PM1.74m
10:46AM1.78m
11:08PM1.69m
11:39AM1.76m
00:01AM1.66m
12:30PM1.76m
00:50AM1.65m
1:18PM1.77m
1:36AM1.66m
2:02PM1.79m
2:19AM1.68m
Low Tide
3:10PM0.28m
3:34AM0.27m
4:03PM0.36m
4:24AM0.34m
4:55PM0.43m
5:14AM0.40m
5:46PM0.47m
6:02AM0.43m
6:35PM0.49m
6:49AM0.44m
7:22PM0.49m
7:34AM0.43m
8:07PM0.46m
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:18
7:16
7:15
7:13
7:11
7:09
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:46
5:47
5:49
5:50
5:51
5:52
5:52
 mm
1
Temp °C
9
8
9
10
10
9
9
9
9
10
9
14
15
13
13
13
13
17
17
13
Feels °C
2
3
5
8
7
8
6
7
6
6
8
8
9
6
5
5
6
12
11
7
  • 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 Kairaki Beach Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Kairaki Beach provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Kairaki Beach can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Kairaki Beach 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 (Kairaki Beach) 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 Kairaki Beach 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.

Are you planning a holiday in Canterbury? If you are looking for accommodation near Kairaki Beach, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Canterbury, consider staying in Christchurch which is 18 km (11 miles) away.

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