Little Wanganui surf break

Little Wanganui surfForecast / West Coast South Island / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 am Friday 08 May 2026 NZST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Little Wanganui surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Little Wanganui sea temperature is
16.2° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Little Wanganui this week:

The surf forecast for Little Wanganui over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (May 08) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 13s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 19s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Little Wanganui in the next 16 days are 3.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (May 10) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Fri 8th May)11ft (3.5m) 10s
Best Surf 9PM (Fri 8th May)11ft (3.5m) 10s
Most Powerful 6PM (Sun 10th May)10ft (3.0m) 14s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Little Wanganui over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 74mm), heaviest during Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri morning, min 10°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNW on Fri afternoon, calm by Sun night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed morning, min 9°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
8
Saturday
9
Sunday
10
Monday
11
Tuesday
12
Wednesday
13
Thursday
14
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
!
0
0
2
2
0
2
4
4
4
3
2
3
3
2
3
4
3
3
Swell
Height Map
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.5
NNW
8
3
NNW
9
3.5
NNW
10
3.5
NW
11
3
NW
11
2.5
WSW
10
2.5
W
9
3
W
14
2.1
W
13
3
WSW
13
2.5
W
13
2.1
WSW
13
1.7
WSW
13
1.5
WSW
13
1.4
WSW
13
1.3
WSW
14
0.7
W
21
0.9
WSW
18
1.4
WSW
16
1.3
WSW
16
1.2
WSW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
921
1432
2520
2750
1800
1275
1041
3649
1609
2717
2088
1430
917
688
653
604
436
540
1036
827
573
Wind (km/h)
25
N
30
NNE
35
N
20
W
20
WSW
15
SW
15
SW
25
SW
10
SSW
10
NE
5
NNW
5
E
5
E
5
WSW
5
E
5
ESE
10
SW
5
ESE
5
ESE
5
NW
5
ESE
cross
cross-off
cross
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
off
off
cross-on
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
off
glassy
off
High Tide
2:41PM2.39m
3:08AM2.43m
3:39PM2.32m
4:08AM2.40m
4:44PM2.32m
5:11AM2.45m
5:48PM2.41m
6:11AM2.57m
6:46PM2.55m
7:06AM2.73m
7:39PM2.74m
7:58AM2.91m
8:28PM2.93m
Low Tide
8:54PM0.86m
9:29AM0.86m
9:52PM0.90m
10:30AM0.85m
10:54PM0.87m
11:32AM0.76m
11:55PM0.78m
12:30PM0.60m
00:51AM0.64m
1:23PM0.43m
1:44AM0.46m
2:13PM0.25m
2:35AM0.28m
heavy rain
heavy rain
rain showers
heavy rain
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:24
7:26
7:26
7:28
7:28
7:30
7:31
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:30
5:29
5:27
5:25
5:24
5:23
5:22
18
22
16
13
2
1
2
Temp °C
17
17
15
13
13
13
14
13
12
12
12
10
13
13
10
14
14
10
15
14
10
14
13
10
10
9
10
10
8
9
9
11
9
12
11
8
12
12
9
13
13
8
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
WSW
14
0.5
WSW
14
0.6
WSW
12
3.5
NW
11
3
NW
11
2.5
WSW
10
1.5
W
14
2.3
WSW
9
3
WSW
13
2.5
W
13
2.1
WSW
13
1.7
WSW
13
1.5
WSW
13
1.4
WSW
13
1.3
WSW
14
1
WSW
10
1.1
WSW
13
1.4
WSW
16
1.3
WSW
16
1.2
WSW
15
Energy kJ
113
107
123
2750
1800
1275
965
865
2717
2088
1430
917
688
653
604
190
402
1036
827
573
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
WNW
10
0.3
W
9
0.4
WSW
19
0.9
WSW
11
2.4
WSW
11
1.8
NW
11
2.1
W
13
0.1
N
12
0.1
N
12
0.2
W
26
0.6
W
22
0.8
WSW
14
0.9
WSW
18
Energy kJ
33
15
120
170
1356
756
1609
3
3
52
367
207
540
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
WSW
18
0.3
WSW
18
0.8
W
16
1.4
W
15
1.1
WSW
15
0.1
N
11
0.1
N
11
0.7
W
21
Energy kJ
66
64
347
858
566
2
2
436
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.5
NNW
8
3
NNW
9
3.5
NNW
10
1.8
W
8
2.5
W
9
3
W
14
Energy kJ
921
1432
2520
454
1041
3649
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
3
1
1
2
1
1
1
2
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
3
3
Distance (km)
136
276
173
172
88
172
166
166
54
0
0
0
0
54
0
0
54
0
0
0
0
Best forecast wave conditions in West Coast South Island
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
4
3
3
4
3
3
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
5
4
4
4
8
6
9
6
4
5
5
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
7
7
5
5
4
5
4
4
4
5
5
5
5
9
6
9
8
6
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 Little Wanganui Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Little Wanganui provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Little Wanganui can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Little Wanganui 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 (Little Wanganui) 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 Little Wanganui 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 West Coast South Island? If you are looking for accommodation near Little Wanganui, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in West Coast South Island, consider staying in Nelson which is 102 km (63 miles) away.

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