
Surf Forecasts:
New Brighton Beach surf forecast from 14 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 18 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 14s period, ESE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 21 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 19s period, SSE swell with 122 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 18 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 14s 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 Friday (Sep 18) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.3m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 9s. 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 0.4m 19s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 21) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 20) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 1ft (0.3m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 1ft (0.3m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Mon 21st Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for New Brighton Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, let’s have a look at what’s on offer for New Brighton Beach over the next couple of weeks. I’ll be straight with you: the first week and a half is pretty quiet. We’ve got a long stretch from Tuesday the 15th of September right through to the afternoon of Wednesday the 23rd where conditions are labelled poor, with swell heights hanging around the 0.3 ft to 2 ft mark. There’s a bit of energy moving through, but it’s not lining up for us at all. The combined wave energy is weak, rarely cracking triple digits, and the wave comments say it all: “poor surf conditions.” Not much to get excited about.
Now, the first sign of a pulse finally shows on Wednesday afternoon the 23rd, and it’s a bit of a mixed bag. Swell pushes up to 4 ft from the SSE, with a period of 13 seconds – that’s a proper groundswell period. The combined energy jumps to 376 (moderate wave energy), but the swell direction is coming from the SSE and our optimum is ENE, so it’s not hitting the bank right. Winds are cross-offshore from the SSW at 16 mph, which will keep it clean, but the wave rating is still poor. One to watch, but not a standout.
The real window of opportunity opens on the afternoon of Wednesday the 24th of September. We get 3 ft of swell out of the SE, with a 13-second period, and the combined energy reads 252 (moderate wave energy). Winds go glassy from the south at 3 mph, making it as clean as a whistle. The score finally tips into “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions.” For New Brighton, a beginner-friendly beach, this is the closest we get to a highlight. Swell size is small, so it’s safe for learning, but don’t expect barrels. Crowds are listed as “sometimes,” so there could be a few out, but with conditions like this, it won’t be packed.
Heading into the final days of September, there’s a handful of mornings and afternoons from the 25th to the 30th that offer “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions.” Swell is small – around 1 ft to 1 ft – but we see some very long-period energy showing up on the 29th and 30th with periods up to 17 and 18 seconds from the SSE. That kind of period suggests better shaped waves but tends to straighten out at a beach break like this. Winds are light and often offshore or glassy, so it’ll look clean. The best of these final days is Tuesday afternoon the 29th: glassy conditions, 1 ft from the SSE, 18-second period with combined energy of 73 (weak). It’s small, but if you want a longboard or a foiler, that’s your call. Overall, pick your window carefully.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed morning, min 5°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 12°C on Sat afternoon, min 4°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SE 9 | SE 9 | ENE 13 | NE 6 | N 4 | N 3 | E 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 14 | E 13 | E 12 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SE 8 | SSE 19 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
23 | 12 | 17 | 19 | 13 | 4 | 12 | 24 | 20 | 40 | 85 | 73 | 92 | 47 | 41 | 24 | 24 | 35 | 122 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-on | on | off | on | cross-on | off | glassy | cross | cross-on |
High Tide | 7:29AM1.90m | 7:52PM1.82m | 8:21AM1.85m | 8:45PM1.75m | 9:15AM1.80m | 9:39PM1.69m | 10:09AM1.77m | 10:33PM1.65m | 11:03AM1.74m | 11:26PM1.63m | 11:54AM1.74m | 00:15AM1.63m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:20AM0.20m | 1:49PM0.27m | 2:10AM0.27m | 2:40PM0.34m | 2:59AM0.34m | 3:31PM0.40m | 3:48AM0.40m | 4:21PM0.45m | 4:37AM0.44m | 5:10PM0.48m | 5:25AM0.46m | 5:58PM0.49m | |||||||
— | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | |
— | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:17 | — | — | 6:19 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:21 | — | — | 6:22 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 16 | 15 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 9 |
Feels °C | 9 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SE 9 | SSE 8 | NE 6 | SE 10 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 14 | E 13 | E 12 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | NE 4 | ESE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 19 |
23 | 12 | 7 | 19 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 24 | 20 | 40 | 85 | 73 | 92 | 47 | 41 | 7 | 24 | 25 | 122 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | E 11 | SE 8 | E 13 | SE 10 | NE 8 | SSE 6 | SSE 3 | ESE 9 | SSE 6 | SE 5 | NE 4 | SE 5 | SE 5 | ESE 11 | ENE 10 | ESE 11 | SE 5 |
— | — | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 17 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 24 | 9 | 23 | 7 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 11 | E 11 | S 14 | SE 10 | SE 7 | SE 7 | E 12 | ENE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | NE 5 | S 16 | ENE 8 | S 15 | SSE 14 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | ENE 9 | ESE 11 |
3 | 2 | 16 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 18 | 19 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 12 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 3 | NNE 3 | ENE 13 | NW 3 | N 4 | N 3 | SSW 4 | — | — | — | — | NE 3 | — | — | NE 3 | — | S 8 | SE 8 | NE 3 |
1 | 2 | 17 | 3 | 13 | 3 | 4 | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | 4 | — | 464 | 35 | 5 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 20 | 43 | 43 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 36 | 33 | 0 | 40 | 40 | 0 | 40 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 20 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Canterbury | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.










