Kairaki Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 43.39° S 172.71° E

Kairaki Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 18 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Kairaki Beach sea temperature is
11.7°C
2.1° 

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 17 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 20 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 15s period, SSE swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 20 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 14s period, S swell with 394 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 19 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 12s period with E 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 Saturday (Sep 19) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 16s. 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 Kairaki Beach in the next 16 days are 1.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 20) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 19) at 6PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Sat 19th Sep)1.5ft (0.5m) 12s
Best Surf 9PM (Sun 20th Sep)3ft (0.9m) 15s
Most Powerful 3PM (Sun 20th Sep)3.5ft (1.0m) 14s

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


Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat morning, min 5°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat morning, fresh winds from the SSW by Sun morning).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Tue morning. Very mild (max 12°C on Mon afternoon, min 5°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon afternoon, fresh winds from the SSW by Wed morning).

Friday
18
Saturday
19
Sunday
20
Monday
21
Tuesday
22
Wednesday
23
Thursday
24
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
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)
0.5
E
13
0.5
ESE
12
0.5
E
13
0.4
ESE
12
0.4
ESE
11
0.3
ESE
11
0.3
ESE
11
1
S
14
0.7
SE
15
0.4
SE
8
0.4
SE
8
0.3
SE
8
0.6
SE
6
0.5
SE
6
0.1
S
19
0.6
S
16
0.2
E
11
0.5
SE
8
0.4
SE
7
0.4
SE
7
0.2
E
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
84
82
84
47
42
25
24
394
236
25
18
9
26
18
7
193
9
29
19
18
17
Wind (km/h)
10
NE
5
SE
15
NE
5
NNW
35
NW
25
WNW
30
SW
35
SSW
5
WNW
10
NNE
10
E
20
NW
5
S
5
WSW
20
SW
25
WSW
25
SSW
20
W
15
WSW
20
SSW
5
W
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
on
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
High Tide
10:09AM1.77m
10:33PM1.65m
11:02AM1.74m
11:25PM1.63m
11:53AM1.74m
00:15AM1.63m
12:41PM1.75m
1:01AM1.64m
1:25PM1.76m
1:44AM1.66m
2:07PM1.79m
2:25AM1.69m
2:48PM1.82m
Low Tide
4:21PM0.45m
4:37AM0.44m
5:11PM0.48m
5:25AM0.46m
5:59PM0.49m
6:11AM0.45m
6:45PM0.47m
6:57AM0.43m
7:29PM0.44m
7:41AM0.39m
8:12PM0.40m
8:25AM0.35m
8:55PM0.35m
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
clear
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:26
6:24
6:22
6:20
6:18
6:16
6:15
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:20
6:22
6:22
6:23
6:24
6:25
6:27
 mm
3
2
5
2
2
2
1
Temp °C
10
12
9
16
16
13
11
11
8
11
12
10
7
6
5
7
7
6
10
11
9
Feels °C
7
9
6
11
9
8
2
3
4
8
9
7
5
3
1
-1
0
1
4
5
6
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
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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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