Surf Forecasts:
New Brighton Beach surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 14s period, SSE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 8s period, NE swell with 256 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 14s 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 (Aug 24) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.3m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 14s. 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 1.4m 8s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 1ft (0.3m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 1ft (0.3m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for New Brighton Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s talk about what’s coming up at New Brighton Beach.
Alright, fair warning: we’re looking at a long stretch of pretty ordinary surf here. The whole 16-day window is a tough one. There’s no proper swell to get excited about, and most days are a write-off.
Let’s start from the beginning. Friday the 21st of August through to Friday the 4th of September is basically one big gap of no good waves. You’ll see tiny dribbles of swell, mostly around 0.7ft to 1ft from the SSE or E, but with poor conditions and flat energy levels (between 16 and 68). The wind is onshore or cross-shore most of that time, so it’s messy. A couple of mornings – like Monday the 24th and Wednesday the 26th – go glassy with the odd 1ft bump, but it’s just too small to paddle for. Even the 3ft on Saturday the 29th had a short 5-second period and only weak energy (70), so nothing really happens.
There is one little stand out, though it’s not much. On Monday the 31st of August the morning shows 2ft of swell from the SE with a very long 17-second period. The combined energy hits 300 (moderate), which is the biggest pulse of the period. The wind is glassy with a light onshore breeze, so the surface will be clean. This is a beginner break and inconsistent at the best of times, and 2ft is small but might just produce a few rideable ones for those who are keen. The swell direction is from the SE – the guidance says optimum is ENE, so it’s not ideal, but with that period you might get a little shape. The water temp is about average for this time of year.
The first few days of September are similar: tiny swell, mostly around 1ft from the SE or NE, with glassy mornings on Tuesday the 1st and Thursday the 3rd that look clean but the energy is weak (128 and 57). Honestly, if you’re desperate, those glassy windows give you the best chance at a knee-high wave.
Overall, this is a lean run. When a place like New Brighton is this inconsistent, a blank stretch like this is pretty normal. Keep an eye on the forecast – it won’t stay flat forever.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat morning, min 6°C on Fri morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the S on Fri night, near gales from the NW by Sat night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue morning, min 6°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon night, strong winds from the NW by Tue night). | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | SSE 14 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | N 4 | NNE 5 | NE 9 | E 14 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 | SSE 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 26 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 23 | 52 | 38 | 15 | 39 | 35 | 33 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 24 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | glassy | glassy | glassy | off | cross-off | cross | glassy | on | on |
High Tide | 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 | 3:01AM1.70m | 3:26PM1.84m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 9:02AM0.35m | 9:34PM0.38m | |||||||
 |  | | |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | |  | |  | |
 | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Temp °C | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 12 | 10 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 9 | 8 | 8 |
Feels °C | 5 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 7 | 12 | 9 | 3 | 8 | 5 | 4 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 6 | SSE 14 | SSE 12 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | SSE 10 | E 14 | NE 9 | NE 7 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | SSE 9 | NNE 3 | E 14 | NNE 4 | E 14 | E 14 | SSE 16 |
| kJ | 6 | 18 | 15 | 10 | 3 | 10 | 15 | 38 | 7 | 39 | 35 | 33 | 8 | 1 | 15 | 1 | 16 | 15 | 24 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 16 | E 10 | E 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | E 15 | SE 10 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 | ENE 5 | S 17 | S 18 | S 16 | S 14 | E 13 |
| kJ | 26 | 7 | 3 | 12 | 11 | 5 | 4 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 2 | 6 | 25 | 21 | 4 | 13 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 13 | S 15 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | S 19 | SE 9 | NE 9 | NE 7 | — | E 8 | S 16 | E 14 | SE 9 | E 14 | E 11 | S 17 | E 6 |
| kJ | 6 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 2 | — | 1 | 5 | 15 | 3 | 16 | 2 | 6 | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NE 3 | — | N 3 | N 4 | NNE 5 | NNW 4 | WNW 4 | SW 3 | — | — | N 3 | NW 3 | NNW 4 | NW 3 | N 3 | NE 2 | NE 3 |
| kJ | — | — | 5 | — | 7 | 23 | 52 | 16 | 24 | 5 | — | — | 8 | 3 | 14 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 20 | 31 | 43 | 20 | 43 | 43 | 124 | 248 | 544 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 20 | 20 | 49 | 124 | 5 | 45 | 43 |
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.
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