Surf Forecasts:
New Brighton Beach surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 9s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 14s period, SE swell with 89 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 9s period with ESE 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 20) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at New Brighton Beach in the next 16 days are 0.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Wed 26th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for New Brighton Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ve gotta be straight with you – the next couple of weeks at New Brighton Beach are looking pretty grim for a proper surf. We’ve got a long, quiet patch ahead with only a couple of moments that might get you out of the water, but nothing to write home about.
The water’s sitting at 50° right now, which is about 1° warmer than average for this time of year, so it’s just a touch on the mild side, nothing extreme.
The whole forecast is a slow burn. From Wednesday, August 19th, we start with a tiny 2ft swell from the east, period at 10 seconds, and a light cross-off breeze. The combined energy is moderate (132), but the waves are so small it’s barely worth a paddle. It’s clean, but ordinary.
Then we hit a real dry spell. From Thursday, August 20th, right through to Sunday, August 30th, it’s pretty much a write-off. Swell heights barely nudge over 2ft, most days are under 1ft, and the wind is all over the place – onshore, cross-off, or gusty. There’s a bit of a glass-off on Thursday morning, August 20th, with 1ft from the ESE and a 9-second period, but it’s so weak it’s almost flat. The combined energy that day is a measly 45. You’d be chasing shadows.
The only real standout in this whole 16-day window comes on Monday, August 31st. The morning brings a pulse of 4ft swell from the ENE, 8-second period, and it’s glassy – clean as a whistle. The combined energy jumps to 234 (moderate), and for a beach break, that’s about as good as it’s going to get. The wind is offshore from the WSW, so it’ll be lined up nicely. It’s still a bit short-period, so it’ll be a bit crumbly, but for a paddle out, this is the pick. The afternoon turns onshore though, so get in early.
After that, there’s another little highlight on Wednesday, September 2nd. The morning shows 4ft from the SSE, 8-second period, glassy again, with combined energy at 269 (moderate). That’s a solid little window, but it’s a long way off and the forecast might change. Still, if you’re keen, that’s your second-best chance.
Other than that, it’s mostly small, weak, and messy. The break is inconsistent, so don’t expect much. If you’re a beginner, those 4ft days are right on the edge of being too big, but with the glassy conditions, it’s still manageable. For anyone else, it’s a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Sat morning, min 7°C on Fri morning). Winds increasing (calm on Thu morning, fresh winds from the N by Sat morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon afternoon, min 8°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun night, fresh winds from the NNW by Mon night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | ||||||||||||||
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) | E 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | SSE 14 | NE 9 | SSE 11 | NNE 4 | N 4 | ENE 5 | N 8 | E 14 | SSE 16 | ESE 13 | E 14 | ESE 14 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 56 | 52 | 26 | 29 | 26 | 18 | 23 | 12 | 13 | 24 | 19 | 82 | 14 | 25 | 33 | 16 | 40 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | glassy | glassy | on | on | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | on |
High Tide | 10:14PM1.74m | 10:46AM1.78m | 11:08PM1.69m | 11:40AM1.76m | 00:01AM1.66m | 12:31PM1.76m | 00:50AM1.65m | 1:18PM1.77m | 1:36AM1.66m | 2:03PM1.79m | 2:20AM1.68m | 2:45PM1.82m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:02PM0.36m | 4:24AM0.34m | 4:54PM0.42m | 5:13AM0.40m | 5:45PM0.47m | 6:01AM0.43m | 6:34PM0.49m | 6:48AM0.44m | 7:21PM0.48m | 7:34AM0.42m | 8:07PM0.46m | 8:18AM0.39m | 8:51PM0.43m | |||||||
 |  |  |  | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — |
 | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 11 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 12 |
Feels °C | 8 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SE 7 | SSE 16 | SSE 14 | SSE 12 | NE 4 | SSE 11 | SE 10 | ENE 5 | NNE 8 | E 14 | E 14 | E 13 | NE 4 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 | N 3 |
| kJ | 56 | 52 | 26 | 12 | 26 | 18 | 14 | 4 | 11 | 4 | 19 | 26 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 3 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 1 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | S 13 | SE 7 | E 8 | E 9 | E 10 | E 11 | SSE 11 | E 10 | E 15 | NNE 4 | E 13 | ENE 6 | SSE 16 | S 16 | E 14 | S 16 | S 16 | S 16 | E 14 |
| kJ | 35 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 12 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 14 | 3 | 25 | 5 | 16 | 5 | 20 | 20 | 16 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 14 | ESE 13 | SE 11 | SSE 17 | SE 8 | E 13 | S 16 | E 10 | E 15 | E 9 | E 14 | SE 9 | — | NE 5 | ESE 13 | S 16 | ESE 14 | — | — | S 15 |
| kJ | 41 | 16 | 5 | 29 | 10 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 15 | 3 | — | 1 | 33 | 5 | 40 | — | — | 4 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 9 | — | NNE 4 | N 4 | NW 3 | N 8 | ENE 2 | NNW 3 | N 4 | NW 3 | NNW 3 | NNW 3 | NNW 3 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | 23 | — | 13 | 24 | 5 | 82 | 2 | 6 | 14 | 1 | 9 | 4 | 7 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 40 | 31 | 43 | 20 | 43 | 43 | 49 | 0 | 43 | 4 | 9 | 43 | 49 | 43 | 49 | 45 |
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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