Little Wanganui surf break

Little Wanganui surfForecast / West Coast South Island / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 am Wednesday 06 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
16.1° 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 Wednesday (May 06) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Little Wanganui in the next 16 days are 3.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (May 10) at 9PM. 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 (Wed 6th May)1.5ft (0.5m) 15s
Best Surf 3PM (Fri 8th May)13ft (4.0m) 10s
Most Powerful 9PM (Sun 10th May)11ft (3.5m) 13s

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 141mm), heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed morning, min 12°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed afternoon, fresh winds from the N by Fri night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat morning, min 9°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
6
Thursday
7
Friday
8
Saturday
9
Sunday
10
Monday
11
Tuesday
12
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
1
2
1
1
2
2
!
0
!
2
3
!
!
!
!
!
4
4
2
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)
0.4
WSW
13
0.5
WSW
15
0.6
WSW
16
1.4
NNW
7
2.2
NNW
8
2.5
NW
9
3
NNW
9
4
NNW
10
4.5
NW
11
4
WNW
11
2.5
W
12
1.3
WSW
15
3.5
W
14
3.5
W
14
3.5
W
13
3.5
WSW
12
3.5
WSW
13
2.5
WSW
14
1.3
WSW
14
1.2
WSW
14
1.5
WSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
66
135
188
165
666
949
1426
2837
4615
3616
1959
754
4163
4225
4584
3874
3774
2650
633
497
758
Wind (km/h)
5
E
5
NNW
10
E
15
NNE
25
N
20
N
25
N
35
NNE
35
NW
15
WNW
20
WSW
5
S
5
SE
5
SSW
20
SW
10
SW
5
NNW
5
E
5
ESE
5
WSW
10
ESE
off
glassy
off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
glassy
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
glassy
off
cross-on
off
High Tide
1:07PM2.61m
1:28AM2.62m
1:50PM2.49m
2:15AM2.51m
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
Low Tide
7:19PM0.66m
7:45AM0.72m
8:04PM0.77m
8:34AM0.82m
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
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
light rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:22
7:24
7:24
7:26
7:26
7:28
7:28
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:31
5:30
5:30
5:29
5:27
5:25
5:24
1
5
28
56
16
21
14
3
11
1
1
Temp °C
18
18
16
17
17
17
17
17
15
14
11
10
11
13
13
12
12
11
13
14
10
17
18
14
15
14
15
14
12
8
11
7
8
10
10
10
10
10
10
11
12
8
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
WSW
13
0.6
NNW
6
0.6
WSW
16
0.6
WSW
14
0.6
WSW
14
0.6
WSW
14
0.6
WSW
14
0.5
WSW
14
0.7
WSW
13
4
WNW
11
2.5
W
12
1.9
WSW
10
3.5
W
14
3.5
WSW
12
3.5
WSW
13
2.5
WSW
14
1.6
W
10
1.3
WSW
9
1.5
WSW
14
Energy kJ
66
26
188
165
163
158
158
108
173
3616
1959
720
4163
3874
3774
2650
499
308
758
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
WSW
16
0.5
WSW
15
0.6
N
6
0.3
WNW
10
0.3
W
10
0.3
WSW
18
0.4
WSW
19
0.9
WSW
16
1.9
NW
11
1.7
NW
10
1.3
WSW
14
1.2
WSW
14
0.1
N
11
Energy kJ
51
135
23
18
17
64
124
448
762
592
633
497
2
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
N
6
0.1
N
10
0.3
W
10
0.5
W
13
1.1
WSW
15
1.3
WSW
15
0.1
N
12
0.1
N
12
Energy kJ
7
2
16
87
605
754
3
3
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.4
NNW
7
2.2
NNW
8
2.5
NW
9
3
NNW
9
4
NNW
10
4.5
NW
11
3.5
W
14
3.5
W
13
Energy kJ
158
666
949
1426
2837
4615
4225
4584
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
2
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
5
4
5
4
2
5
5
4
4
4
3
Distance (km)
0
0
0
172
173
173
174
290
173
88
54
54
61
91
336
124
124
0
0
54
0
Best forecast wave conditions in West Coast South Island
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
2
4
3
5
4
5
5
5
5
5
4
4
3
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
4
2
2
2
3
3
3
2
4
4
5
4
5
5
2
5
5
5
7
9
5
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
4
5
6
5
5
7
6
5
6
6
5
5
5
4
5
5
5
6
8
9
5
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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