
Surf Forecasts:
New Brighton Beach surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 23s period, SSE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 23s period, SSE swell with 1,532 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 15s 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 Saturday (Jul 18) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 15s period. 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 1.2m 23s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 7s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 23s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 23s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for New Brighton Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey everyone, Rusty here with the 16-day outlook for New Brighton Beach. This break is inconsistent, and the forecast reflects that – mostly small, messy surf with a few bright spots. The standout is Saturday afternoon, July 18, so mark that one.
Friday July 17 afternoon: a 3.3ft easterly swell, 16-second period, glassy. Moderate energy (520). It’s rideable but nothing special.
Saturday July 18 morning: 3.3ft east swell, 15 seconds, with a light offshore west wind at 6 mph. Clean and fun. But the afternoon is the real deal – 3.9ft from the SSE, 23-second period – that’s a very long-period groundswell with strong energy (2279). Glassy conditions. That kind of period can make a beach break a bit straight, but with clean glass and 3.9ft, it’ll be excellent for experienced surfers. Water temp is around 50°F, pretty average for July.
Sunday July 19 morning: 2.3ft east swell, 13 seconds, light offshore SW wind at 6 mph. Clean but small. Afternoon turns onshore and poor – skip it.
Monday July 20 morning: 2.3ft from the SSE, 19 seconds, glassy. Moderate energy (374). Okay. Afternoon goes onshore and marginal.
Then a long rough patch. From Tuesday July 21 through the end of the month, it’s mostly tiny – 0.7ft to 1.6ft – with poor winds. A few glassy moments, like Tuesday July 21 morning (1.3ft SE, glassy) but weak energy (83). The only minor bump
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Sat afternoon, min 8°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 10°C on Tue afternoon, min 7°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | E 15 | E 15 | SSE 23 | ESE 14 | E 13 | E 13 | ESE 12 | SSE 19 | SSE 19 | SSE 17 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SE 14 | SE 13 | SE 12 | SSE 11 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
520 | 484 | 447 | 1532 | 258 | 176 | 125 | 190 | 325 | 305 | 168 | 44 | 41 | 27 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 26 | 22 | 11 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | off | off | glassy | off | off | on | glassy | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | off | off | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | off |
High Tide | 7:05PM2.18m | 7:31AM2.01m | 8:00PM2.09m | 8:28AM1.95m | 8:56PM2.00m | 9:27AM1.89m | 9:51PM1.90m | 10:24AM1.84m | 10:47PM1.81m | 11:21AM1.80m | 11:41PM1.74m | 12:14PM1.78m | 00:33AM1.70m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:28AM0.02m | 1:48PM0.02m | 2:22AM0.06m | 2:44PM0.10m | 3:15AM0.12m | 3:38PM0.20m | 4:07AM0.19m | 4:33PM0.29m | 4:58AM0.27m | 5:26PM0.37m | 5:48AM0.33m | 6:18PM0.43m | ||||||||
— | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | |
5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 11 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 9 |
Feels °C | 9 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 16 | E 15 | E 15 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | SSE 19 | SSE 19 | SSE 17 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SE 14 | SE 13 | SE 12 | NE 4 |
520 | 484 | 447 | 346 | 258 | 176 | 125 | 77 | 325 | 305 | 168 | 44 | 41 | 27 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 26 | 22 | 9 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | S 19 | SSE 23 | SSE 23 | SSE 18 | SSE 16 | SSE 19 | SSE 18 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | NE 4 | NE 4 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | E 11 | SE 9 | — | E 11 | SSE 11 |
5 | 7 | 422 | 401 | 110 | 86 | 72 | 130 | 49 | 49 | 27 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | — | 3 | 11 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 20 | — | SSE 23 | SSE 22 | SE 21 | — | ESE 12 | — | — | — | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | E 11 | E 11 | NE 4 | E 11 | E 12 | S 12 | E 11 |
— | 31 | — | 1532 | 46 | 17 | — | 190 | — | — | — | 25 | 12 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 14 | — | — | — | — | NNE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 2 | ENE 3 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 40 | — | — | — | — | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 31 | 0 | 4 | 20 | 20 | 45 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 33 |
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.










