Leithfield Beach surfForecast / Canterbury / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 am Wednesday 20 May 2026 NZST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Leithfield Beach surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Leithfield Beach sea temperature is
12.7° C
(Which is 1.5°C warmer than normal for this time of year)

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Leithfield Beach this week:

The surf forecast for Leithfield Beach over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (May 21) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 5s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 5s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Leithfield Beach in the next 16 days are 0.9m 19s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (May 24) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (May 27) at 6PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Thu 21st May)3.5ft (1.0m) 5s
Best Surf 3AM (Mon 25th May)2.5ft (0.7m) 19s
Most Powerful 9PM (Sun 24th May)3ft (0.9m) 19s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 7°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat afternoon, min 9°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
20
Thursday
21
Friday
22
Saturday
23
Sunday
24
Monday
25
Tuesday
26
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
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
2
1
1
1
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)
0.2
E
10
0.4
ENE
5
0.3
ENE
8
0.7
NNE
3
0.2
ENE
8
0.9
S
5
0.2
ENE
6
0.5
ENE
3
0.5
ENE
5
0.2
SSE
12
0.2
SSE
12
0.4
SSE
16
0.4
SSE
17
0.6
SSE
17
0.7
SE
19
0.6
SE
14
0.6
SE
13
0.6
SE
12
0.7
ENE
9
0.5
E
10
0.3
SE
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
7
9
13
9
6
43
4
6
15
14
15
97
111
186
368
164
142
124
78
49
24
Wind (km/h)
5
NNW
10
ENE
25
NNW
20
N
30
NW
5
NNE
10
NE
15
ENE
10
WSW
5
WNW
10
ENE
5
S
10
ENE
15
ENE
5
N
5
NNW
5
SE
5
NNW
5
NNE
15
ENE
15
NNE
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross
High Tide
7:49PM2.19m
8:16AM1.98m
8:49PM2.15m
9:17AM1.94m
9:49PM2.08m
10:18AM1.91m
10:48PM2.02m
11:18AM1.87m
11:45PM1.95m
12:15PM1.84m
00:38AM1.88m
1:09PM1.83m
1:29AM1.82m
Low Tide
1:34PM-0.01m
2:15AM0.05m
2:33PM0.02m
3:13AM0.07m
3:32PM0.06m
4:10AM0.10m
4:30PM0.11m
5:06AM0.13m
5:27PM0.18m
6:00AM0.17m
6:22PM0.24m
6:52AM0.21m
7:15PM0.29m
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
light rain
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
<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>
5:09
5:08
5:08
5:07
5:07
5:06
5:06
2
Temp °C
11
14
13
18
19
10
10
12
11
13
15
12
11
12
10
12
14
12
13
15
15
8
11
8
12
13
7
6
8
10
11
12
11
9
8
8
11
12
10
10
12
12
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
ENE
5
0.2
E
9
0.3
ENE
8
0.1
E
13
0.5
NE
4
0.4
SSE
5
0.3
SE
4
0.1
S
13
0.5
ENE
5
0.3
ENE
5
0.3
ENE
5
0.4
SSE
16
0.4
SSE
17
0.6
SSE
17
0.7
SE
19
0.6
SE
14
0.6
ENE
6
0.7
ENE
7
0.5
ENE
10
0.5
E
10
0.4
ENE
8
Energy kJ
4
7
13
3
9
9
2
3
13
5
5
97
111
186
368
164
31
52
52
49
24
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
E
10
0.1
E
14
0.2
E
5
0.1
E
8
0.2
ENE
8
0.4
NE
7
0.2
ENE
6
0.1
SE
9
0.2
SSE
12
0.2
SSE
12
0.2
SSE
12
0.2
ENE
12
0.2
ENE
10
0.4
NE
10
0.3
ENE
11
0.6
ENE
5
0.6
SE
13
0.6
SE
12
0.5
SE
12
0.4
SE
11
0.4
NE
4
Energy kJ
7
4
2
1
6
14
3
3
15
14
15
13
10
24
25
23
142
124
71
33
4
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
E
15
0.1
E
13
0.1
S
10
0.1
E
12
0.1
SE
11
0.1
SE
10
0.1
E
11
0.2
ENE
12
0.1
E
14
0.2
ENE
13
0.3
ENE
10
0.3
ENE
10
0.7
ENE
9
0.4
ENE
10
0.3
SE
11
Energy kJ
4
3
2
3
5
4
2
13
4
16
20
20
78
38
18
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
ENE
5
0.6
NNW
3
0.7
NNE
3
0.4
NW
3
0.9
S
5
0.5
ENE
3
0.3
E
2
0.9
NE
5
0.2
NNE
2
Energy kJ
9
7
9
2
43
6
1
35
1
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
3
3
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
4
2
2
1
1
2
1
1
Distance (km)
71
71
153
204
115
0
71
71
30
30
56
10
10
74
0
0
0
0
10
10
76
Best forecast wave conditions in Canterbury
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
2
1
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
1
3
3
4
4
4
4
5
6
9
6
5
4
4
4
3
3
3
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
4
4
4
5
4
5
7
7
5
6
9
6
5
5
5
5
4
4
4
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 Leithfield Beach Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Leithfield Beach provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Leithfield Beach can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Leithfield 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 (Leithfield 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 Leithfield 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 Leithfield Beach, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Canterbury, consider staying in Christchurch which is 41 km (25 miles) away.

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