New Brighton Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 43.47° S 172.72° E

New Brighton Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 19 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's New Brighton Beach sea temperature is
10.4° C
0.9° 

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 19 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 19s period, SSE swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 19s period, SSE swell with 322 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 19s period with SSE 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 Monday (Jul 20) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 19s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 12s. 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 0.7m 19s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 4s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 6PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Mon 20th Jul)2.5ft (0.7m) 19s
Best Surf 9AM (Mon 20th Jul)2.5ft (0.7m) 19s
Most Powerful 9AM (Mon 20th Jul)2.5ft (0.7m) 19s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, surfers, this is Rusty, and I've been staring at the charts for our local stretch. It's a bit of a slow burner this time around, but there's a light at the end of the tunnel if you're patient.

We’re looking at a pretty quiet start for New Brighton Beach. The wave energy is hanging around in the low to moderate range for the first week, with a few glimpses of something better. The first real nod of the head comes on Monday, the 20th of July. The morning is looking glassy with a clean 2 ft groundswell from the SSE. The combined energy is a solid moderate (371), and with that 19-second period, it’s a long period groundswell that’ll push through with some good shape. That’s your best bet this early on, but it’s inconsistent, so don’t expect a conveyor belt of sets.

The whole stretch from the 21st through to the 27th is pretty average. We’ve got a few mornings with light offshore winds, like the 21st and the 26th, but the swell is tiny and the energy is weak. The 24th of July is a write-off with strong cross-onshore winds. The morning of the 28th of July is where things start to look up. The swell picks up to a clean 3 ft from the ESE, with a strong 14-second period and moderate energy (395). The wind is light offshore, making for some clean conditions. That afternoon is even better, with the same 4 ft swell and a glassy calm wind, giving a combined energy of 485. It’s not huge, but it’s clean and surfable.

Now, the standout window is from the 29th of July to the 30th. The 29th is shaping up to be the pick of the bunch. We’ve got a 4 ft swell from the east, with a 13-second period, and the wind is absolutely glassy all morning and afternoon. The combined energy is strong (478). For a break that’s a bit protected, this is about as clean as it gets. It’s not a big day, but the quality is there. The 30th of July morning is still okay, but the wind shifts a little cross-off.

The 31st of July is a different story. The swell jumps to 8 ft from the ENE, but the period drops to 9 seconds. The combined energy is very strong (1686), and the wind is a moderate cross-shore. That’s a lot of messy, choppy water. This one is strictly for the experts, and even then, it’s a battle. The setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

The first week of August keeps things small but clean. The 3rd and 4th of August have a nice 3 ft to 4 ft SSE/ESE swell with gentle offshore winds, making for some clean, fun waves. The 4th of August morning has a 4 ft swell from the ESE with a 13-second period, a combined energy of 428, and light cross-off winds. It’s a solid end to the forecast.

So, to wrap it up: the best of the lot is the 29th of July. The 4 ft east swell with glassy conditions all day is a true standout. The 28th of July is a close second. Don't bother with the 31st unless you're a masochist or on a kite.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 10°C on Tue afternoon, min 7°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri afternoon, min 5°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
1
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
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
ESE
12
0.7
SSE
19
0.7
SSE
19
0.4
SSE
16
0.4
SE
14
0.3
SSE
12
0.2
SSE
11
0.2
E
11
0.1
E
11
0.1
SE
12
0.8
NE
4
0.4
ENE
5
0.9
NE
4
0.9
N
4
0.4
NE
8
0.2
ESE
13
1.1
NNE
4
1.1
NE
6
0.4
ESE
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
190
322
312
107
46
31
12
9
4
6
21
8
23
23
16
17
38
82
89
Wind (km/h)
5
WNW
5
W
10
ENE
15
NE
5
W
5
NE
10
W
5
WSW
10
ENE
15
ENE
10
NE
5
ESE
20
NNE
25
NNE
20
NW
15
WSW
0
W
20
ESE
15
WSW
Wind State
cross-off
glassy
on
on
cross-off
glassy
off
off
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
off
glassy
cross-on
off
High Tide
9:27AM1.89m
9:51PM1.90m
10:24AM1.84m
10:47PM1.81m
11:21AM1.80m
11:41PM1.74m
12:14PM1.78m
00:33AM1.70m
1:04PM1.78m
1:22AM1.68m
1:51PM1.79m
2:08AM1.68m
Low Tide
3:15AM0.12m
3:38PM0.20m
4:07AM0.19m
4:33PM0.29m
4:58AM0.27m
5:26PM0.37m
5:48AM0.33m
6:18PM0.43m
6:36AM0.38m
7:08PM0.46m
7:23AM0.41m
7:56PM0.47m
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
clear
rain showers
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:54
7:52
7:52
7:50
7:50
7:50
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:15
5:16
5:17
5:19
5:20
5:21
 mm
1
2
4
Temp °C
9
9
9
8
8
10
9
10
10
10
9
10
12
13
14
10
7
8
5
Feels °C
7
7
6
4
6
8
6
8
7
7
7
8
6
10
8
5
3
2
0
  • Map Icons:
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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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