Kairaki Beach surfForecast / Canterbury / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Monday 19 Jan 2026 NZDT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Kairaki Beach surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Kairaki Beach sea temperature is
17.5° C
(Which is 2.7°C warmer than normal for this time of year)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Kairaki Beach this week:

The surf forecast for Kairaki Beach over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jan 20) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 7s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Kairaki Beach in the next 12 days are 2.3m 11s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jan 25) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 4s period and expected on Friday (Jan 23) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Tue 20th Jan)1.5ft (0.4m) 8s
Best Surf10PM (Sun 25th Jan)7.5ft (2.3m) 11s
Most Powerful10PM (Sun 25th Jan)7.5ft (2.3m) 11s

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

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 42mm), heaviest during Thu morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed morning, min 11°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ENE on Wed afternoon, calm by Thu morning).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 34mm), heaviest during Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 8°C on Fri night). Mainly strong winds.

Mon
19
Tuesday
20
Wednesday
21
Thursday
22
Friday
23
Saturday
24
Sunday
25
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
3
2
2
1
1
2
1
0
0
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.8
ESE
0.4
SSW
0.4
ENE
0.6
ENE
0.8
ENE
1.2
ENE
1.3
ENE
1.5
ENE
1.6
ENE
1.8
ENE
1.6
ENE
1.7
E
1.6
E
1.3
E
1
E
1.5
E
0.8
E
0.7
E
0.7
E
0.8
E
0.6
E
Period(s) (?)7968856789101212111010109101112
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)622514537580131249330525566913734418216458122878714495
Wind
(km/h)
20
E
10
NNE
10
ENE
20
E
20
NE
30
ENE
35
ENE
25
ENE
15
NE
10
W
20
WSW
20
SW
20
SSW
30
WSW
25
WSW
25
SW
5
WNW
35
WSW
40
SSW
15
W
5
W
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
oncross-
on
ononcross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
offoffcross-
off
cross-
off
offcross-
off
cross-
off
offoffcross-
off
offoff
High Tide
/ height (m)
6:12PM
1.73
6:37AM
1.89
6:53PM
1.73
7:18AM
1.89
7:35PM
1.73
8:00AM
1.88
8:19PM
1.73
8:43AM
1.86
9:05PM
1.74
9:29AM
1.83
9:56PM
1.76
10:20AM
1.82
10:50PM
1.79
11:15AM
1.81
Low Tide
/ height (m)
12:21AM
0.30
12:55PM
0.34
1:05AM
0.28
1:39PM
0.32
1:50AM
0.27
2:23PM
0.30
2:36AM
0.27
3:08PM
0.29
3:24AM
0.28
3:55PM
0.27
4:16AM
0.29
4:45PM
0.26
5:10AM
0.29
Mon
19
Tuesday
20
Wednesday
21
Thursday
22
Friday
23
Saturday
24
Sunday
25
Sunrise--6:11--6:13--6:15--6:16--6:16--6:18--6:20
Sunset9:07--9:06--9:05--9:05--9:04--9:02--9:01--
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
mod rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
rain showers
cloud
light rain
mod rain
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
Rain (mm)
-------735141-48--521--
Temp. °C13131414141616161617161613913141012141216
Feels °C (?)81010910101012151715139368736914
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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 12 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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