Little Wanganui Surf Break

Lat Long: 41.39° S 172.06° E

Little Wanganui Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 09 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 8 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 11 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 19s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 11 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 19s period, WSW swell with 8,262 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 9 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 11s 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 Wednesday (Sep 09) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 19s. 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 19s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 11) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Wed 9th Sep)4.5ft (1.4m) 11s
Best Surf 3AM (Fri 11th Sep)11ft (3.5m) 19s
Most Powerful 6AM (Fri 11th Sep)11ft (3.5m) 19s

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


Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Thu morning. Very mild (max 11°C on Wed morning, min 5°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Mon afternoon, min 8°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
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
0
0
6
!
!
!
!
0
4
4
2
4
4
2
4
3
2
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.4
WSW
11
1.5
WSW
11
0.8
WSW
18
1.4
WSW
16
1.5
WSW
16
2.4
WSW
19
3.5
WSW
18
3.5
WSW
18
3.5
WSW
16
4
WSW
16
3.5
WSW
16
2.5
W
16
3
WSW
16
2
WSW
16
2.4
WSW
16
2.1
WSW
15
2
WSW
15
1.7
WSW
15
1.4
WSW
14
1.2
WSW
14
1.8
W
7
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
452
494
418
940
1055
4042
7655
6443
6278
7370
6740
3880
4523
1913
2696
1976
1703
1174
763
605
340
Wind (km/h)
5
SE
5
WSW
0
SSW
20
SW
20
SW
10
ESE
5
SW
0
SW
15
SSW
15
SSW
20
SW
5
SSW
5
SSW
15
WSW
5
ESE
0
SE
15
WSW
5
SE
5
ENE
5
NNW
25
NNW
Wind State
glassy
on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
off
glassy
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
off
glassy
cross-on
glassy
glassy
cross
cross
High Tide
9:09PM3.09m
9:35AM3.05m
9:54PM3.23m
10:18AM3.15m
10:35PM3.30m
10:58AM3.19m
11:14PM3.28m
11:35AM3.16m
11:52PM3.20m
12:12PM3.08m
00:29AM3.05m
12:49PM2.95m
1:06AM2.87m
Low Tide
2:53PM0.28m
3:23AM0.12m
3:41PM0.12m
4:08AM-0.01m
4:24PM0.03m
4:49AM-0.06m
5:05PM0.00m
5:28AM-0.03m
5:44PM0.06m
6:05AM0.07m
6:22PM0.18m
6:43AM0.23m
7:01PM0.35m
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
mod rain
rain showers
clear
light rain
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
heavy rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:43
6:41
6:39
6:39
6:37
6:35
6:33
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:14
6:15
6:15
6:16
6:17
6:19
6:20
 mm
1
8
2
1
2
1
16
Temp °C
11
11
10
10
10
7
8
10
10
11
11
10
12
12
9
12
13
10
12
13
12
Feels °C
9
9
9
5
5
4
6
9
7
6
6
7
8
8
7
10
10
8
11
12
9
  • 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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