
Surf Forecasts:
New Brighton Beach surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 23s period, SSE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 23s period, SSE swell with 1,532 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 15s period with E swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for New Brighton Beach this week:
The surf forecast for New Brighton Beach over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 23s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at New Brighton Beach in the next 16 days are 1.2m 23s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 23s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 23s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for New Brighton Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s headed our way.
The window kicks off with a real standout on Saturday the 18th of July, but then it gets quiet for a long stretch. The first week of the outlook has a few fun moments, but after that, we’re looking at a big gap of mostly flat or poor conditions until the very end of the month and into early August, where a few ordinary waves might show up.
Saturday 18th July is the pick of the entire forecast. New Brighton Beach is the place to be. The morning kicks off with a clean 3 ft easterly swell, period a very long 15 seconds, and the wind is a light offshore from the WSW. The combined energy is solid 869 – that’s a moderate, punchy feel. The water temp is about average for the time of year. But the real magic is the afternoon: the swell jumps to 4 ft from the SSE, the period stretches to an incredible 23 seconds, and the wind goes glassy. The energy reading hits 2279 – that’s strong, powerful stuff. This is excellent, experienced surfer territory. The waves will be clean, lined up, and have serious push. Just be aware, with a period that long, the sets will be spaced out, and it’s a beach break, so it might jack up a bit steep. For the confident surfer, this is a no-brainer.
Sunday 19th July drops off significantly. The morning has 2 ft of easterly swell, 13 seconds, with a clean offshore wind, but the energy is weak at 233. The afternoon goes glassy with the same tiny swell. Just small, ordinary waves.
Monday 20th July morning is the last halfway decent moment in the first week. A 2 ft south-southeast swell with a very long 19-second period, and completely glassy conditions. The energy is 374 – moderate. It’s surfable, but that’s about it. The afternoon turns onshore, so forget it.
From Tuesday 21st July through to Friday 31st July, it’s a grim stretch. The swell drops to tiny, often below 2 ft, and the energy readings are mostly in the double digits (22 to 83). The wind is all over the place, sometimes offshore, but the waves just aren’t there. There’s a gap of about ten days where it’s genuinely not worth paddling out. What little bump shows up is ordinary at best. The only exception is Sunday 26th July morning, which has a 2 ft ESE swell with a 14-second period and a moderate offshore wind (16 mph from the WSW), but it’s still marginal and the wind is strong enough to make it tricky.
Saturday 1st August and Sunday 2nd August finally see a small pulse of energy. The 1st has a 2 ft east-northeast swell in the morning, clean offshore wind, but the period is a short 10 seconds. The energy is only 123. It’s a consolation wave at best. The 2nd is tiny at 1 ft.
That’s the story. One standout Saturday, then a long, quiet run. The forecasts can change, but for now, mark your calendar for the 18th.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 11°C on Sat afternoon, min 8°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 11°C on Tue afternoon, min 7°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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) | E 15 | E 15 | SSE 23 | ESE 14 | E 13 | E 13 | ESE 12 | SSE 19 | SSE 19 | SSE 16 | SSE 13 | SE 12 | SSE 11 | E 11 | E 11 | SE 12 | NE 4 | ESE 12 | NE 5 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
581 | 447 | 1532 | 258 | 130 | 125 | 190 | 325 | 312 | 151 | 70 | 39 | 12 | 10 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 14 | 5 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | glassy | off | off | glassy | glassy | glassy | on | on | glassy | glassy | off | cross-off | on | on | glassy | on | cross |
High Tide | 7:31AM2.01m | 8:00PM2.09m | 8:28AM1.95m | 8:56PM2.00m | 9:27AM1.89m | 9:51PM1.90m | 10:24AM1.84m | 10:47PM1.81m | 11:21AM1.80m | 11:41PM1.74m | 12:14PM1.78m | 00:33AM1.70m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:28AM0.02m | 1:48PM0.02m | 2:22AM0.06m | 2:44PM0.10m | 3:15AM0.12m | 3:38PM0.20m | 4:07AM0.19m | 4:33PM0.29m | 4:58AM0.27m | 5:26PM0.37m | 5:48AM0.33m | 6:18PM0.43m | |||||||
— | 7:54 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 9 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 11 |
Feels °C | 6 | 6 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 4 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 15 | E 15 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | SSE 19 | SSE 19 | SSE 16 | SSE 13 | NE 5 | ENE 4 | ENE 5 | SE 10 | E 11 | ENE 4 | ESE 12 | NE 5 |
581 | 447 | 346 | 258 | 130 | 125 | 77 | 325 | 312 | 151 | 70 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 14 | 5 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 19 | SSE 23 | SSE 23 | SSE 18 | SSE 16 | SSE 19 | SSE 18 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | NE 4 | SE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | NE 4 | SE 9 | SE 12 | SSW 8 | WNW 3 |
7 | 422 | 401 | 110 | 86 | 72 | 130 | 49 | 49 | 27 | 4 | 39 | 12 | 10 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 13 | 1 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 20 | — | SSE 23 | SSE 22 | SE 21 | SE 7 | ESE 12 | — | — | — | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | SE 12 | E 12 | ESE 12 | N 4 |
31 | — | 1532 | 46 | 17 | 13 | 190 | — | — | — | 25 | 25 | 9 | 9 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 14 | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SSW 5 | — | — | — | — | NNE 2 | NNE 4 | — | — | — | — | NE 2 | NE 4 | NE 4 | — |
— | — | — | — | 42 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 16 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 10 | 10 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 31 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 20 | 43 | 43 | 43 | 43 | 43 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Canterbury | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the New Brighton Beach Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for New Brighton Beach provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at New Brighton Beach can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our New Brighton Beach 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 (New Brighton Beach) 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 New Brighton Beach 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 New Brighton Beach, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Canterbury, consider staying in Christchurch which is 10 km (6 miles) away.










