Surf Forecasts:
Banks Peninsula - Magnet Bay surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 15s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 13s period, S swell with 1,632 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 12s period with S swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Banks Peninsula - Magnet Bay this week:
The surf forecast for Banks Peninsula - Magnet Bay over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 16s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Banks Peninsula - Magnet Bay in the next 16 days are 2.2m 13s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Banks Peninsula - Magnet Bay over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Wed morning. Very mild (max 10°C on Wed afternoon, min 7°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 9°C on Sat morning). Mainly strong winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | S 14 | S 12 | S 11 | S 12 | S 15 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 11 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
4200 | 2089 | 900 | 683 | 710 | 1065 | 505 | 358 | 264 | 164 | 92 | 41 | 34 | 35 | 811 | 756 | 280 | 850 | 721 | 597 | 271 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | on | cross-on | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross |
High Tide | 9:06PM1.63m | 9:41AM1.66m | 10:05PM1.58m | 10:40AM1.65m | 11:02PM1.57m | 11:34AM1.66m | 11:54PM1.58m | 12:23PM1.69m | 00:40AM1.61m | 1:06PM1.73m | 1:22AM1.64m | 1:47PM1.77m | 2:01AM1.68m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:57PM0.42m | 3:19AM0.40m | 3:52PM0.48m | 4:12AM0.45m | 4:46PM0.51m | 5:03AM0.47m | 5:37PM0.52m | 5:51AM0.46m | 6:24PM0.50m | 6:36AM0.42m | 7:08PM0.46m | 7:19AM0.37m | 7:50PM0.41m | ||||||||
7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | |
— | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 9 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 15 | 16 | 12 | 16 | 17 | 13 |
Feels °C | 6 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 4 | 9 | 10 | 5 | 11 | 13 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | S 14 | S 12 | S 11 | S 12 | S 15 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | SSW 8 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 11 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 12 |
3419 | 2089 | 900 | 683 | 710 | 1065 | 505 | 358 | 264 | 164 | 92 | 41 | 25 | 24 | 811 | 756 | 260 | 850 | 721 | 597 | 271 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SE 13 | E 9 | S 16 | S 16 | ESE 8 | E 9 | ESE 10 | ENE 4 | ENE 5 | S 13 | NE 6 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 14 | ESE 13 | SSW 14 | ESE 14 | SE 14 | SE 14 | ESE 14 |
— | 42 | 15 | 84 | 190 | 14 | 13 | 19 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 34 | 35 | 38 | 34 | 280 | 39 | 51 | 51 | 20 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SE 12 | SE 12 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | SE 11 | ESE 10 | E 9 | SE 14 | ESE 14 | WNW 3 | S 17 | ESE 14 | N 5 | ESE 13 | — | — | — | — |
— | 40 | 23 | 26 | 24 | 14 | 14 | 5 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 19 | 2 | 23 | 38 | 5 | 34 | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | NE 3 | NW 2 | NNW 3 | N 4 | NNW 4 | — | — | NW 4 | NW 3 | — | NW 3 | NW 2 | NNW 3 | NNW 4 |
4200 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | 1 | 8 | 33 | 11 | — | — | 13 | 3 | — | 2 | 1 | 3 | 27 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 30 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 26 | 28 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 26 | 4 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Canterbury | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Banks Peninsula - Magnet Bay Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Banks Peninsula - Magnet Bay provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Banks Peninsula - Magnet Bay can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Banks Peninsula - Magnet Bay 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 (Banks Peninsula - Magnet Bay) 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 Banks Peninsula - Magnet Bay 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 Canterbury? If you are looking for accommodation near Banks Peninsula - Magnet Bay, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Canterbury, consider staying in Christchurch which is 37 km (23 miles) away.











