New Brighton Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 43.47° S 172.72° E

New Brighton Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 05 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's New Brighton Beach sea temperature is
9.8° C
0.6° 

New Brighton Beach surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


New Brighton Beach surf forecast from 5 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 6 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 14s period, ESE swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 12 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, ENE swell with 898 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 6 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 15s period with SE 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 Thursday (Aug 06) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 15s is also forecast. 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 2.5m 8s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 6s period and expected on Monday (Aug 10) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Thu 6th Aug)1.5ft (0.5m) 15s
Best Surf12PM (Thu 6th Aug)2ft (0.6m) 14s
Most Powerful 9PM (Wed 12th Aug)8ft (2.5m) 8s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for New Brighton Beach over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

G’day, it’s Rusty here. Let’s cut to the chase: the next couple of weeks at New Brighton Beach are looking pretty flat-out average. There’s nothing that’s going to have you jumping out of bed. The swell is small, the wind is all over the place, and we’ll be picking our moments. The water temp is about normal for this time of year, so nothing weird there.

We start on Thursday, August 6th. There’s a clean 2ft south-east swell with a 15-second period on the morning, and a light offshore wind. It’s surfable, but the energy is weak (248). If you’re just learning, this is your wave. The afternoon bumps up to 2ft, but the wind swings onshore and it gets messy.

Friday, August 7th is worse. Small 1ft ESE swell and a cross-on breeze in the morning. The afternoon glass-off brings a clean 1ft ESE swell with a 12-second period, but the energy is nearly nothing (79).

Saturday, August 8th, is a complete washout. Tiny 1ft swell and cross-onshore wind. Energy is basically zero (35). Leave the board at home.

Sunday, August 9th sees a bump to 3ft from the ENE, but the period drops to a junky 8 seconds. The morning is chopped by cross-onshore wind, the afternoon cleans up a little with a cross-offshore breeze, but it’s still ordinary.

Monday, August 10th, is flat out. We’re talking 1ft with a long 14-second period in the afternoon, but no power. Don’t bother.

The second week drags. Tuesday, August 11th has a glassy 1ft SE swell in the morning, but it’s weak (67). Afternoon goes onshore and it’s done.

Wednesday, August 12th, things pick up, but not in a good way. Swell jumps to 4-5ft from the ENE, but with a 7-8 second period. It’s lumpy, onshore, and the energy (239) is moderate but unsurfable. This looks more like a kite-surfing day.

Thursday, August 13th keeps the same swell, but the wind is messy. Afternoon cleans up a bit with a cross-offshore breeze, but it’s still only 3ft and short period.

Friday, August 14th is one of the better calls. Clean 2ft E swell in the morning with a light offshore wind. It’s small, but clean. Afternoon is smaller at 2ft, but still clean. Energy is weak, but it’s a fun little beginner wave.

Saturday, August 15th, is a blank. Morning is glassy but flat. Afternoon has a 1ft SE swell with a 19-second period, but with onshore wind, it falls apart.

There’s a big gap from Saturday afternoon to Monday morning, August 17th. Sunday is a write-off with tiny waves and rain. But Monday, August 17th, is your standout. We’ve got 3ft of E swell with a 7-second period, but the wind is solidly offshore from the west-southwest all day. Energy is moderate (148-173). It’s going to be clean, punchy, and the offshore wind will hold the faces up. This is the best of the bunch.

Tuesday, August 18th gets blown out. Swell is 3-3ft, but the wind is pumping at 31 mph from the southwest. It’s a cross-offshore gale, making a mess of things. Again, this is kite-surfing territory.

After that, it settles. Wednesday, August 19th through Friday, August 21st, we’ve got clean 2-4ft E swells with offshore or glassy winds. Energy is weak to moderate (107-154). It’s not big, but it’s the most consistent and cleanest stretch. Friday the 21st has a 4ft ENE swell with a short 6-second period, but clean cross-offshore wind.

So, in short: don’t get too excited. Monday, August 17th is your pick for some real push. The late week from the 19th onwards is the most reliable for small clean waves. Everything else is just filling time.

Rusty out.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Sat afternoon, min 4°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun afternoon, min 7°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
6
Friday
7
Saturday
8
Sunday
9
Monday
10
Tuesday
11
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
SE
10
0.5
SE
15
0.7
SE
13
0.7
SE
11
0.4
ESE
13
0.4
ESE
12
0.4
ESE
11
0.4
SE
10
0.3
SE
10
0.3
SE
10
0.8
ENE
8
0.8
ENE
7
0.4
ENE
6
0.3
SE
9
0.2
ESE
14
0.3
ESE
12
0.4
SE
11
0.3
ESE
11
1
ENE
5
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
122
106
167
121
57
61
49
27
15
15
76
59
13
13
18
29
32
23
46
Wind (km/h)
10
WSW
5
WSW
10
ENE
10
NE
10
NE
5
E
5
WSW
5
ENE
15
E
15
E
20
N
15
W
5
WSW
15
WSW
20
SW
10
WSW
5
NE
20
ENE
25
NE
Wind State
off
off
on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
off
glassy
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
glassy
on
on
High Tide
9:44PM1.75m
10:17AM1.80m
10:40PM1.76m
11:16AM1.86m
11:39PM1.79m
12:16PM1.94m
00:39AM1.84m
1:15PM2.02m
1:38AM1.90m
2:12PM2.10m
2:34AM1.96m
3:08PM2.16m
Low Tide
4:08AM0.29m
4:37PM0.33m
5:00AM0.26m
5:34PM0.31m
5:55AM0.22m
6:32PM0.27m
6:52AM0.16m
7:30PM0.21m
7:49AM0.09m
8:28PM0.15m
8:47AM0.03m
9:25PM0.10m
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:35
7:35
7:33
7:31
7:31
7:30
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:32
5:35
5:36
5:37
5:37
5:38
 mm
Temp °C
6
5
6
6
6
8
8
8
9
10
13
15
10
10
10
8
8
9
9
Feels °C
2
3
2
2
4
5
5
6
5
6
9
11
8
5
5
5
4
4
4
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  • 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 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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