Surf Forecasts:
Kairaki Beach surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 14s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 17s period, SE swell with 138 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 14s 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 Monday (Aug 24) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 14s. 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 0.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Wed 26th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kairaki Beach over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat morning, min 6°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri night, strong winds from the WNW by Sun morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Wed night. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 8°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNW on Tue morning, light winds from the NNW by Tue night). | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 5 | SSE 11 | N 4 | NNE 5 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 | SSE 14 | SSE 14 | E 14 | N 4 | E 14 | S 17 | SSE 15 | SSE 16 | SE 11 | SE 16 | SSE 12 | SE 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
18 | 11 | 18 | 52 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 41 | 36 | 16 | 36 | 15 | 23 | 87 | 51 | 29 | 63 | 27 | 64 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 00:01AM1.66m | 12:30PM1.76m | 00:50AM1.65m | 1:18PM1.77m | 1:36AM1.66m | 2:02PM1.79m | 2:19AM1.68m | 2:45PM1.82m | 3:01AM1.70m | 3:26PM1.84m | 3:42AM1.72m | 4:06PM1.86m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:02AM0.43m | 6:35PM0.49m | 6:49AM0.44m | 7:22PM0.49m | 7:34AM0.43m | 8:07PM0.46m | 8:18AM0.39m | 8:51PM0.43m | 9:02AM0.35m | 9:35PM0.39m | 9:46AM0.31m | 10:17PM0.35m | |||||||
— | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 14 | 3 | — | — |
Temp °C | 9 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 11 |
Feels °C | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | SSE 10 | E 14 | NE 9 | NE 9 | SSE 13 | SSE 14 | SSE 14 | SSE 11 | E 14 | E 14 | N 4 | SSE 15 | SSE 16 | SE 11 | SE 16 | SSE 12 | ENE 5 |
18 | 2 | 10 | 15 | 39 | 14 | 16 | 41 | 36 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 1 | 87 | 51 | 29 | 63 | 27 | 19 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | E 15 | SE 10 | E 14 | NNE 5 | NNW 4 | E 14 | E 14 | ENE 5 | SE 10 | S 17 | S 17 | E 14 | E 13 | SSE 15 | E 13 | SSE 16 | SE 16 |
12 | 11 | 5 | 4 | 14 | 4 | 1 | 15 | 16 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 23 | 15 | 14 | 23 | 3 | 25 | 64 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | S 16 | SE 9 | E 14 | E 14 | NE 8 | NE 4 | E 14 | S 16 | S 9 | E 14 | N 5 | — | E 13 | ESE 13 | E 13 | E 12 |
8 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 15 | 15 | 3 | 1 | 16 | 5 | 2 | 15 | 1 | — | 3 | 16 | 3 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 3 | N 4 | NNE 5 | NW 4 | WNW 4 | WSW 2 | NNW 3 | NNW 3 | N 4 | N 4 | NNW 4 | SE 2 | — | SE 6 | NE 3 | NE 4 | NE 4 | N 6 |
— | 5 | 18 | 52 | 28 | 19 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 13 | 36 | 17 | 1 | — | 9 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 23 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 12 | 52 | 52 | 52 | 151 | 170 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 32 | 56 | 12 | 32 | 52 | 23 | 19 | 32 | 47 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Canterbury | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
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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.











