Surf Forecasts:
New Brighton Beach surf forecast from 5 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period, SSE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 13 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period, SSE swell with 273 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 8 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 8s 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 Tuesday (Sep 08) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 8s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at New Brighton Beach in the next 16 days are 0.8m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 13) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 17s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 12) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for New Brighton Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s in store for New Brighton Beach over the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, the first week and a half is a flat spell. The swell is small, the wind is mostly onshore or messy, and there’s just nothing to get excited about. The water temp is about 52°F, which is a touch warmer than usual for this time of year, but that’s about the only good news early on.
The first real chance to surf comes on the morning of Tuesday, September 8th. The swell is only 2ft from the east, with a period around 8 seconds – not much power. But the wind goes glassy, which is a huge plus. It’s surfable, but nothing special. The combined energy is weak (87). Not a standout, but it’s something.
The rest of that week and into the next is mostly small and choppy. There’s a clean little window on the morning of Saturday, September 12th with a 2ft SSE swell (17-second period, 186 energy), but it’s tiny. A long-period groundswell like that can sometimes surprise you, but it’s a small one.
The real standout, and the only one you should circle, is the morning of Sunday, September 20th. This is the one. We’ve got a 5ft SSE swell with a very long period of 18 seconds, and the combined energy is a solid 1285 – that’s strong. The wind is light and offshore, swinging cross-off, and the conditions are clean. This is a proper groundswell. At that size, it’s still manageable for a range of surfers, but over 5ft it starts to get a bit much for beginners. The long period means better shaped waves, more energy, and longer waits between sets. At a beach break like New Brighton, that long period can make it break a bit straight, but with clean conditions, it should still offer some fun ones. The afternoon also looks good, with 3ft SSE swell, glassy conditions, and 555 energy. That’s your best window.
Crowds are noted as “sometimes” at New Brighton, so on a clean Sunday morning, expect some company. The optimum swell direction is ENE, and this swell is from the SSE, so it’s not a perfect match, but the quality of the swell and the wind makes up for it.
So, a lot of waiting, but the 20th of September morning is the clear standout. Don’t miss it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat afternoon, min 6°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri morning, min 4°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | ||||||||||||||
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) | N 4 | N 3 | SSE 18 | SE 4 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 9 | E 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | SSE 8 | SE 11 | SSE 19 | E 14 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 24 | 7 | 30 | 19 | 57 | 36 | 26 | 28 | 66 | 103 | 133 | 130 | 203 | 66 | 34 | 10 | 6 | 36 | 35 | 4 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:29PM1.81m | 12:04PM1.98m | 00:29AM1.86m | 1:03PM2.03m | 1:26AM1.90m | 1:59PM2.08m | 2:22AM1.95m | 2:52PM2.11m | 3:15AM1.99m | 3:43PM2.11m | 4:06AM2.01m | 4:33PM2.09m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:22PM0.27m | 5:42AM0.19m | 6:20PM0.23m | 6:39AM0.14m | 7:17PM0.19m | 7:36AM0.10m | 8:13PM0.14m | 8:32AM0.06m | 9:08PM0.10m | 9:27AM0.04m | 10:00PM0.08m | 10:21AM0.04m | 10:52PM0.07m | |||||||
 |  |  | |  | | | |  |  | | | | | |  |  | |  |  | |
 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — |
 | 6:06 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — |
mm | — | — | 2 | 5 | 6 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | 1 | 2 |
Temp °C | 14 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 5 | 14 | 16 | 8 |
Feels °C | 7 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 8 | 12 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | S 18 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 8 | S 16 | E 6 | S 10 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | NE 4 | SSE 8 | SE 11 | NNE 4 | SSE 5 |
| kJ | 5 | 6 | 12 | 5 | 18 | 5 | 26 | 2 | 66 | 103 | 133 | 130 | 173 | 66 | 34 | 3 | 6 | 29 | 2 | 3 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | E 10 | E 11 | SE 4 | SSW 9 | — | S 12 | S 14 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | — | E 8 | E 8 | SSE 19 | SSE 5 | S 17 |
| kJ | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 29 | — | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 33 | 32 | 21 | 1 | — | 10 | 5 | 36 | 3 | 24 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 9 | SE 9 | S 17 | S 16 | NNE 6 | S 14 | — | NE 9 | S 13 | S 21 | S 20 | S 19 | S 8 | S 16 | NE 9 | S 19 | E 8 | SSE 19 | E 14 |
| kJ | — | 2 | 3 | 6 | 79 | 3 | 16 | — | 21 | 3 | 9 | 7 | 29 | 11 | 5 | 3 | 28 | 1 | 35 | 4 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 4 | N 3 | SSE 18 | SE 4 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | — | E 6 | — | — | — | — | ENE 9 | NNW 4 | NE 5 | NW 3 | SSW 3 | — | NW 3 | WNW 2 |
| kJ | 24 | 7 | 30 | 19 | 57 | 36 | — | 28 | — | — | — | — | 203 | 13 | 14 | 2 | 9 | — | 5 | 1 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 124 | 43 | 45 | 135 | 155 | 45 | 43 | 20 | 0 | 43 | 40 | 31 | 20 | 0 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 9 | 5 | 20 |
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.
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