Little Wanganui Surf Break

Lat Long: 41.39° S 172.06° E

Little Wanganui Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 25 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Little Wanganui sea temperature is
13.2° C
0.2° 

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 25 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 26 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 15s period, W swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 26 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 15s period, W swell with 5,372 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 26 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 15s 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 Sunday (Jul 26) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 15s period. 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 15s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 26) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 2s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 01) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Sun 26th Jul)11ft (3.5m) 15s
Best Surf12AM (Sun 26th Jul)11ft (3.5m) 15s
Most Powerful12AM (Sun 26th Jul)11ft (3.5m) 15s

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


Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 11°C on Tue morning, min 5°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 51mm), heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 13°C on Thu afternoon, min 8°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Sat
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Friday
31
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
!
4
3
4
3
2
3
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
2
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)
5
W
15
3.5
W
15
2.5
W
14
2.1
W
14
1.9
W
13
1.8
W
12
1.7
W
12
1.4
W
11
1.2
W
11
1.1
W
11
1.1
W
11
1.1
W
10
1.5
WSW
14
1.6
W
13
1.5
W
13
1.3
W
13
1.8
NW
8
3.5
NW
10
2.5
NNW
10
1.6
W
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
9734
5372
2522
1759
1237
946
805
502
338
286
275
255
815
902
794
582
437
2340
1229
905
Wind (km/h)
20
SW
5
E
5
ESE
5
WSW
5
ESE
5
SE
5
WSW
5
ESE
5
ESE
5
WNW
5
ESE
5
E
0
WNW
5
E
5
ENE
15
N
10
NE
15
NNE
10
E
5
ESE
Wind State
cross-on
glassy
off
cross-on
off
cross-off
on
off
cross-off
glassy
off
off
glassy
glassy
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
High Tide
7:40PM2.41m
8:06AM2.42m
8:33PM2.51m
8:55AM2.53m
9:18PM2.64m
9:38AM2.64m
9:59PM2.77m
10:18AM2.75m
10:36PM2.88m
10:55AM2.83m
11:12PM2.96m
11:31AM2.88m
11:47PM3.01m
Low Tide
1:53AM0.88m
2:17PM0.81m
2:45AM0.77m
3:05PM0.70m
3:30AM0.64m
3:47PM0.57m
4:11AM0.51m
4:26PM0.45m
4:49AM0.40m
5:02PM0.36m
5:25AM0.31m
5:38PM0.30m
light rain
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
heavy rain
heavy rain
rain showers
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:46
7:45
7:43
7:43
7:41
7:41
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:29
5:30
5:30
5:31
5:32
5:34
5:35
 mm
2
1
1
1
20
29
5
6
Temp °C
8
7
9
10
6
10
10
6
11
11
8
12
12
11
11
13
11
12
13
11
Feels °C
3
5
7
7
3
7
7
3
9
9
5
11
11
10
9
10
8
9
12
10
  • 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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