Little Wanganui Surf Break

Lat Long: 41.39° S 172.06° E

Little Wanganui Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 09 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Little Wanganui sea temperature is
13.0° C
0.3° 

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 9 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 15 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 18s period, WSW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 18s period, W swell with 5,685 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 10 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 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 Monday (Aug 10) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 1.5m and 7s. 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 3.0m 18s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) 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+) 6AM (Mon 10th Aug)3.5ft (1.1m) 16s
Best Surf 6PM (Sat 15th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 18s
Most Powerful 3PM (Sat 15th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 18s

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


Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Sun night. Very mild (max 13°C on Tue morning, min 8°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Wed night. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri morning, min 11°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
10
Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
4
2
3
3
3
3
2
3
3
4
4
3
3
2
4
5
5
5
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
WSW
16
1.2
WSW
15
1.2
WSW
14
1.1
WSW
14
0.6
W
20
0.7
W
19
0.9
WSW
18
0.6
WSW
16
1.5
NNW
8
1.4
NW
10
1.7
WNW
10
1
WSW
17
1
WSW
16
0.9
WSW
15
1
WSW
15
1.6
W
18
2.5
W
18
3
W
18
3
WSW
17
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
427
675
631
471
303
358
510
201
253
433
559
632
540
376
462
1628
4684
5685
4234
Wind (km/h)
10
WSW
5
SSW
10
SW
5
E
10
ESE
5
WNW
5
E
10
ESE
10
ESE
10
ENE
5
ESE
5
E
10
ESE
5
ESE
5
SW
10
ESE
5
SE
10
SW
5
SSE
Wind State
on
glassy
cross-on
glassy
off
glassy
off
off
off
off
off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
7:57AM2.76m
8:27PM2.90m
8:58AM2.92m
9:23PM3.10m
9:51AM3.07m
10:12PM3.26m
10:38AM3.17m
10:58PM3.35m
11:23AM3.20m
11:42PM3.35m
12:05PM3.17m
00:23AM3.27m
Low Tide
1:38AM0.51m
2:09PM0.45m
2:42AM0.32m
3:07PM0.27m
3:38AM0.13m
3:58PM0.11m
4:27AM-0.02m
4:46PM0.00m
5:13AM-0.09m
5:30PM-0.03m
5:57AM-0.08m
6:13PM0.01m
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
heavy rain
light rain
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:28
7:28
7:26
7:24
7:24
7:22
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:45
5:45
5:46
5:47
5:49
5:50
 mm
11
1
2
11
3
1
Temp °C
11
12
12
10
13
12
10
12
12
12
14
14
12
16
16
13
15
14
12
Feels °C
8
10
10
9
11
10
8
10
10
11
13
14
11
15
15
12
13
12
11
  • 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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