Surf Forecasts:
New Brighton Beach surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 14s period, ESE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 6s period, ENE swell with 120 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 9PM (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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.3m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 14s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 7s 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 1.3m 6s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 17s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 1ft (0.3m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 1ft (0.3m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for New Brighton Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk about what's on the table for the next couple of weeks.
We're looking at a pretty bleak stretch, to be honest. The surf is going to be a real struggle for most of the forecast period. The main issue is just a lack of any decent swell, with the wind rarely lining up to make the most of the tiny scraps we get. There are a few sessions where you might get a wave, but it's going to be a grind.
The very first sniff of anything comes on Monday the 24th in the morning. New Brighton Beach is looking at tiny waves, around 1ft. The swell is coming from the SSE, but it's that long-period groundswell, pushing 14 seconds. That's good for shape, but it's a beach break, so that long period might make it break a bit too straight. The wind is glassy, which is a massive positive, but the combined energy is a weak 56. The water temp is about average for this time of year at 50°. It's barely surfable. The afternoon is even worse, dropping to 0.7ft.
We jump ahead to Thursday the 27th. The morning is glassy again with a 1ft SSE swell, but the energy has picked up a little to 102. It's still pretty ordinary. The afternoon is the best of a bad bunch this week. The wind goes light offshore from the west, and we see the combined energy jump to 163. That's still moderate, but it's the best on offer. The swell is 1ft from the SSE with a very long 17-second period. This is a groundswell, so it'll have some push, but it'll be a close-out at the beach. It's still only a 1 out of 10. Friday the 28th repeats the same pattern: glassy morning, light offshore in the afternoon, but the swell and energy drop back off.
The rest of the run is a total write-off. After the 28th, we go into a long gap of several days with nothing worth paddling for. The wind is all over the shop, mainly cross or cross-off, and the swell is either tiny or from the wrong direction. There's a lot of strong wind, but the waves are too small and poor quality for that to even be interesting for kiting.
The best option, if you're desperate, is the afternoon of Thursday the 27th. It's not a standout by any stretch, but with a light offshore wind and a 1ft SSE groundswell, it's the cleanest and most energetic we're going to see. Don't expect much.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat afternoon, min 5°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (near gales from the NW on Sun morning, calm by Mon morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed afternoon, min 9°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 12 | NE 5 | SSE 11 | N 4 | NNE 5 | NE 9 | NE 10 | E 14 | SSE 14 | E 14 | NNE 4 | N 4 | E 14 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | SSE 17 | SSE 17 | SE 17 | SSE 17 | SSE 12 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 15 | 13 | 11 | 18 | 78 | 79 | 23 | 15 | 36 | 17 | 19 | 27 | 15 | 57 | 24 | 57 | 57 | 77 | 116 | 60 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | glassy | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross | off | glassy | off | glassy |
High Tide | 00:01AM1.66m | 12:31PM1.76m | 00:50AM1.65m | 1:18PM1.77m | 1:36AM1.66m | 2:03PM1.79m | 2:20AM1.68m | 2:45PM1.82m | 3:01AM1.70m | 3:26PM1.84m | 3:42AM1.72m | 4:06PM1.86m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 9:02AM0.35m | 9:34PM0.38m | 9:45AM0.31m | 10:17PM0.34m | |||||||
 |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | |  |  |  | | |
 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — |
 | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
Temp °C | 9 | 9 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 8 | 7 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 18 | 15 | 9 | 9 | 11 |
Feels °C | 5 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 11 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 12 | NE 5 | NE 5 | SSE 10 | E 14 | NE 9 | N 5 | SSE 12 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 10 | NE 5 | NNE 4 | NNW 3 | SSE 16 | SSE 17 | SSE 17 | SE 17 | SSE 17 | ENE 6 |
| kJ | 15 | 13 | 3 | 10 | 15 | 79 | 7 | 14 | 36 | 17 | 10 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 24 | 57 | 57 | 77 | 116 | 39 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | E 15 | SE 10 | E 14 | NE 10 | NNW 4 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 | E 13 | NE 4 | E 13 | S 17 | SSE 12 |
| kJ | 3 | 12 | 11 | 5 | 4 | 14 | 23 | 1 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 2 | 3 | 800 | 60 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | S 19 | SE 9 | E 14 | E 14 | NE 8 | E 7 | S 16 | SE 9 | S 17 | NE 4 | E 11 | SE 11 | E 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | SE 16 |
| kJ | 5 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 15 | 15 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 16 | 14 | 11 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 3 | — | N 3 | N 4 | NNE 5 | NW 4 | WNW 4 | W 2 | NNW 3 | NNW 3 | NNE 4 | N 4 | NW 4 | SSE 17 | — | NE 3 | NE 4 | NE 3 | ENE 5 | — |
| kJ | 7 | — | 5 | 18 | 78 | 16 | 19 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 19 | 27 | 12 | 57 | — | 2 | 3 | 6 | 33 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 43 | 20 | 43 | 55 | 43 | 248 | 544 | 20 | 0 | 20 | 40 | 43 | 124 | 0 | 20 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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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