Little Wanganui Surf Break

Lat Long: 41.39° S 172.06° E

Little Wanganui Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 12 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Little Wanganui sea temperature is
13.7°C
1.0° 

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 12 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, WSW swell with cross-onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 12 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, WSW swell with 6,912 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period with WSW 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 Saturday (Sep 12) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 16s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-onshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Little Wanganui in the next 16 days are 3.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 12) at 3PM. 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+) 3PM (Sat 12th Sep)11ft (3.5m) 16s
Best Surf 3PM (Sat 12th Sep)11ft (3.5m) 16s
Most Powerful 3PM (Sat 12th Sep)11ft (3.5m) 16s

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


Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Mon morning, min 7°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 27mm), heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue morning, min 5°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
!
!
!
5
1
5
3
2
4
3
2
1
2
2
4
3
1
4
4
4
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
4
WSW
16
3.5
WSW
16
3.5
WSW
16
3
WSW
17
2.1
WSW
16
2.5
WSW
16
2.4
WSW
15
2.1
WSW
15
1.8
WSW
14
1.5
WSW
14
1.3
WSW
14
1.1
WSW
13
1.1
W
10
1.7
W
12
1.7
WSW
15
2.2
WSW
14
2.5
WSW
14
1.8
WSW
16
1.9
WSW
16
2.5
WSW
15
2.4
WSW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
7188
6912
5808
5209
2160
3258
2618
1822
1340
899
624
451
226
814
1207
1705
2233
1793
1799
3371
2593
Wind (km/h)
15
SW
15
SW
15
SW
10
S
15
WSW
5
SW
5
SSW
15
SW
5
SE
0
SE
10
WSW
5
SW
5
NNE
10
N
10
NNE
10
SSW
20
SW
10
ESE
5
NE
10
NW
5
SE
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
10:58AM3.19m
11:14PM3.28m
11:35AM3.16m
11:52PM3.20m
12:12PM3.08m
00:29AM3.05m
12:49PM2.95m
1:06AM2.87m
1:26PM2.77m
1:46AM2.66m
2:08PM2.59m
2:30AM2.46m
2:57PM2.40m
Low Tide
5:05PM0.00m
5:28AM-0.03m
5:44PM0.06m
6:05AM0.07m
6:22PM0.18m
6:43AM0.23m
7:01PM0.35m
7:20AM0.43m
7:41PM0.55m
8:01AM0.64m
8:25PM0.75m
8:47AM0.84m
9:18PM0.94m
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
heavy rain
mod rain
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:39
6:37
6:35
6:33
6:31
6:30
6:28
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:16
6:17
6:19
6:20
6:21
6:22
6:22
 mm
1
1
20
7
Temp °C
10
10
10
12
12
11
13
12
10
14
13
11
13
13
11
9
10
7
12
12
7
Feels °C
7
6
6
10
9
10
10
9
9
12
11
10
11
11
9
7
5
4
8
9
5
  • 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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