Kairaki Beach surfForecast / Canterbury / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 pm Monday 18 May 2026 NZST
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
12.9° C
(Which is 1.7°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 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (May 25) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 13s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 18s is also forecast. Another secondary swell of 0.9m and 6s 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 16 days are 1.0m 18s and forecast to arrive on Monday (May 25) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Thursday (May 21) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Mon 25th May)3ft (0.9m) 17s
Best Surf 3AM (Mon 25th May)3ft (0.9m) 17s
Most Powerful12AM (Mon 25th May)3.5ft (1.0m) 18s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu morning, min 8°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 10°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Mon
18
Tuesday
19
Wednesday
20
Thursday
21
Friday
22
Saturday
23
Sunday
24
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
ENE
10
0.2
E
9
0.5
NE
4
0.2
E
11
0.2
E
10
0.4
ENE
5
0.2
E
9
0.2
ENE
5
0.9
N
4
0.1
E
12
0.2
ENE
5
0.1
E
12
0.2
ENE
6
0.2
S
14
0.1
S
12
0.9
S
6
0.2
SSE
16
0.4
SE
17
0.9
ENE
14
1
S
18
0.8
ENE
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
38
7
7
9
8
10
7
2
23
3
3
3
4
14
3
52
24
77
362
607
222
Wind (km/h)
20
ENE
5
NNE
5
WNW
10
E
0
NW
5
WNW
10
E
20
NNW
25
NNW
20
NNW
10
WSW
5
NE
10
E
10
W
5
NE
15
E
15
ESE
15
E
20
ENE
5
NNE
5
WNW
on
cross-on
glassy
on
glassy
glassy
on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-on
on
off
cross-on
on
on
on
on
cross
cross-off
High Tide
5:51PM2.22m
6:16AM2.03m
6:49PM2.23m
7:15AM2.02m
7:48PM2.21m
8:15AM1.99m
8:49PM2.16m
9:17AM1.95m
9:49PM2.09m
10:19AM1.92m
10:48PM2.03m
11:19AM1.88m
11:45PM1.96m
Low Tide
00:16AM0.05m
12:34PM-0.02m
1:15AM0.04m
1:34PM-0.01m
2:14AM0.05m
2:33PM0.01m
3:12AM0.07m
3:31PM0.06m
4:09AM0.10m
4:29PM0.11m
5:05AM0.13m
5:26PM0.18m
5:59AM0.17m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:39
7:39
7:41
7:41
7:43
7:43
7:45
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:12
5:10
5:09
5:08
5:07
5:07
5:07
5:06
Temp °C
9
9
9
10
9
11
11
15
17
19
15
13
15
15
13
14
12
11
11
11
13
5
6
7
7
8
7
7
9
12
14
12
11
14
13
10
10
10
8
7
8
11
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
SE
10
0.2
E
9
0.3
ENE
4
0.3
ENE
4
0.3
ENE
4
0.4
ENE
5
0.4
NE
5
0.3
NE
8
0.1
E
9
0.1
NE
8
0.2
ENE
5
0.2
ENE
5
0.2
ENE
6
0.2
ENE
3
0.2
ENE
5
0.3
SE
5
0.3
SE
3
0.4
SE
17
0.3
SSE
18
0.4
SSE
18
0.8
ENE
13
Energy kJ
4
7
3
3
4
10
7
9
1
2
3
3
4
1
3
4
2
77
61
123
222
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
ENE
10
0.1
SE
9
0.2
E
9
0.2
E
11
0.2
E
10
0.2
E
10
0.2
E
9
0.2
ENE
5
0.1
E
13
0.1
E
6
0.2
N
3
0.1
S
10
0.1
S
10
0.1
NE
6
0.1
NE
7
0.2
ENE
5
0.2
SSE
16
0.2
ENE
15
0.9
ENE
14
1.2
ENE
13
0.7
ENE
6
Energy kJ
32
3
6
9
8
7
7
2
3
1
1
2
2
2
2
3
24
21
362
506
29
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
E
14
0.1
S
16
0.1
E
12
0.1
SE
8
0.1
SE
10
0.1
E
15
0.1
E
14
0.1
E
10
0.1
E
10
0.1
E
12
0.1
E
9
0.1
E
12
0.2
S
14
0.1
S
12
0.1
NE
7
0.2
ENE
12
0.2
ENE
11
0.1
E
12
1
S
18
0.3
SSE
14
Energy kJ
4
5
3
3
4
4
4
2
2
3
2
3
14
3
2
14
12
3
607
37
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
ENE
10
0.5
NE
3
0.5
NE
4
0.4
NE
4
0.5
NNW
3
0.9
N
4
0.7
N
4
0.9
S
6
0.6
ENE
15
1.2
NE
6
Energy kJ
38
6
7
4
5
23
13
52
167
99
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
2
4
3
2
Distance (km)
52
49
43
54
49
136
54
56
50
56
163
163
52
12
39
32
47
47
52
12
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Canterbury
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
4
4
4
4
4
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
1
3
4
4
4
4
3
5
4
7
5
5
5
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
4
4
4
4
4
5
5
5
5
4
4
5
5
5
5
7
5
5
5
4
  • 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 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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