Little Wanganui Surf Break

Lat Long: 41.39° S 172.06° E

Little Wanganui Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 24 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Little Wanganui sea temperature is
13.0°C
0.1° 

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 24 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 24 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 29 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 16s period, WSW swell with 3,154 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 24 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 14s 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 Thursday (Sep 24) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 14s 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 2.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 29) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Thu 24th Sep)6.5ft (2.0m) 14s
Best Surf 9PM (Thu 24th Sep)6.5ft (2.0m) 14s
Most Powerful 4AM (Tue 29th Sep)8ft (2.5m) 16s

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


Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 27mm), heaviest during Sun morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Sat night, min 6°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

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

Thu
24
Friday
25
Saturday
26
Sunday
27
Monday
28
Tuesday
29
Wednesday
30
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
3
3
3
3
2
3
0
0
4
1
0
2
4
1
4
3
2
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.3
WSW
15
1.9
WSW
14
1.6
WSW
14
1.6
WSW
13
1.6
WSW
13
1.5
W
12
0.9
WSW
12
1.6
W
9
3
W
9
3
W
10
2.5
W
9
2.3
WSW
10
2.2
WSW
10
2.5
WSW
9
1.5
WSW
14
1.5
WSW
14
1.4
WSW
14
1.3
WSW
14
1.2
WSW
14
1.6
WSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2264
1399
926
880
888
657
254
430
1601
1744
1090
1130
935
1004
899
826
742
597
497
947
Wind (km/h)
10
WSW
5
ESE
5
ENE
5
ENE
5
ESE
5
E
5
NNE
0
N
25
SW
25
SW
5
ESE
20
SW
25
WSW
15
SSW
5
SSW
15
SW
5
ESE
0
W
10
W
5
ESE
Wind State
on
cross-off
glassy
glassy
off
glassy
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
on
off
High Tide
8:58PM2.84m
9:20AM2.85m
9:35PM3.01m
9:56AM3.00m
10:11PM3.15m
10:32AM3.11m
10:48PM3.23m
11:09AM3.17m
11:26PM3.25m
11:48AM3.17m
00:06AM3.19m
12:29PM3.10m
00:50AM3.06m
Low Tide
3:10AM0.36m
3:25PM0.34m
3:47AM0.18m
4:01PM0.19m
4:23AM0.05m
4:39PM0.09m
5:00AM-0.01m
5:17PM0.05m
5:39AM0.00m
5:58PM0.08m
6:21AM0.08m
6:42PM0.17m
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
part cloud
cloud
light rain
rain showers
heavy rain
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:16
6:15
7:13
6:11
6:09
6:07
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:29
6:30
6:31
7:32
6:34
6:35
6:36
 mm
5
3
6
13
3
1
2
1
Temp °C
10
7
11
9
9
9
12
13
12
10
8
11
11
9
12
12
10
13
13
9
Feels °C
7
5
9
8
7
7
12
10
7
4
5
5
6
5
8
8
8
11
11
7
  • 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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