Little Wanganui Surf Break

Lat Long: 41.39° S 172.06° E

Little Wanganui Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 am 16 Oct 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Little Wanganui sea temperature is
16.3°C
3.1° 

Little Wanganui surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Little Wanganui surf forecast from 15 Oct 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 16 Oct, 7AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 14s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 16 Oct, 10AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 13s period, W swell with 2,133 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 16 Oct, 7AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 14s period with W swell.

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 (Oct 16) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.4m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Little Wanganui in the next 16 days are 2.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Oct 16) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Oct 17) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Fri 16th Oct)8ft (2.4m) 14s
Best Surf 7AM (Fri 16th Oct)8ft (2.4m) 14s
Most Powerful10AM (Fri 16th Oct)8ft (2.5m) 13s

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


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri afternoon, min 6°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon morning, min 8°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
16
Saturday
17
Sunday
18
Monday
19
Tuesday
20
Wednesday
21
Thursday
22
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
3
2
1
2
2
0
2
1
0
3
3
2
3
2
0
3
1
1
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.5
W
13
1.9
WSW
13
1
WSW
12
1.2
WSW
12
1.1
WSW
12
1.1
WSW
12
0.9
WSW
12
0.9
WSW
12
0.5
WSW
17
0.9
WSW
15
1.1
WSW
15
1.1
WSW
13
1.4
WSW
13
1.1
WSW
12
1.5
WSW
12
1.4
WSW
16
1.3
WSW
16
1.1
WSW
14
0.9
WSW
13
1.6
WSW
13
1.4
WSW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2133
1211
308
411
343
317
196
193
157
408
485
408
679
350
633
871
754
507
307
825
539
Wind (km/h)
10
S
20
S
10
ESE
5
W
10
WSW
5
E
5
WSW
10
WSW
5
SE
10
SW
15
SW
5
SE
5
WNW
10
WSW
5
SSW
10
SW
15
WSW
5
SE
5
WSW
15
WSW
5
E
Wind State
cross
cross
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
off
glassy
on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
High Tide
2:35PM2.60m
2:58AM2.46m
3:24PM2.44m
3:52AM2.31m
4:24PM2.32m
5:00AM2.21m
5:36PM2.27m
6:16AM2.21m
6:47PM2.33m
7:23AM2.31m
7:46PM2.46m
8:16AM2.47m
8:34PM2.64m
Low Tide
8:28AM0.66m
8:54PM0.75m
9:14AM0.83m
9:45PM0.90m
10:09AM0.96m
10:48PM1.00m
11:16AM1.03m
11:59PM1.00m
12:27PM1.00m
1:06AM0.90m
1:29PM0.89m
2:01AM0.74m
2:21PM0.72m
2:48AM0.54m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:41
—
—
6:41
—
—
6:39
—
—
6:37
—
—
6:35
—
—
6:35
—
—
6:33
—
—
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
—
7:52
—
—
7:53
—
—
7:54
—
—
7:55
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—
7:57
—
—
7:58
—
—
8:00
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 mm
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Temp °C
14
15
8
12
12
8
13
14
9
15
15
10
14
14
12
15
15
11
16
16
12
Feels °C
8
9
5
8
8
6
11
12
8
11
12
9
13
13
12
12
12
10
14
14
12
  • 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 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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