
Surf Forecasts:
New Brighton Beach surf forecast from 6 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 17s period, SSE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 13 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 17s period, SSE swell with 657 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 9 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 9s period with ENE 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 Wednesday (Sep 09) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 9s period. 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 1.1m 17s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 13) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 17s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Wed 9th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for New Brighton Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve gotta be straight with you – the next 16 days at New Brighton Beach are looking pretty grim for a proper paddle. There’s a real dry spell on the cards, so don’t be chucking your board in the car just yet.
We’re starting off Sunday the 6th of September, and it’s a bit of a bummer. The swell is tiny, coming in at 3 ft from the southeast with a short, weak period of 4 seconds, and the combined wave energy is a measly 22 – that’s barely a ripple. The water temp is sitting at 52°, which is a touch warmer than usual for this time of year, but with light rain and a cross-on wind, it’s just not worth it. The whole first week is a write-off, with wave heights never cracking 3 ft and most days offering “poor surf conditions.” By Tuesday the 8th, the swell drops to 2 ft, and Thursday the 10th morning gives us a glassy 1 ft, but it’s just too small to do anything with. There’s a real gap from the start until about the middle of the second week.
The first real hint of something surfable – and I’m using that word loosely – comes on Monday the 14th of September. It’s a groundswell from the southeast, 2 ft with a period of 12 seconds, and the combined energy climbs to 118 (moderate). The wind is light offshore from the WSW in the morning, turning glassy by the afternoon. It’s clean, but the waves are still tiny. This is a beginner-level spot, and it’s inconsistent, so you’d be scratching for a ride. The swell direction from the southeast is a bit off the optimum of ENE, which doesn’t help.
The only standout in this whole window – and I mean the only one worth a mention – is Saturday the 19th of September. It’s not a classic, but it’s the best we’ve got. The morning shows a 2 ft swell from the SSE, with a long period of 16 seconds, and the combined energy hits 163 (strong). The wind is offshore from the WSW at 12 mph, and it’s clean. That long period groundswell means the waves will have some shape and energy, but at a beach break like New Brighton, it might break a bit too straight for my liking. The swell direction is SSE, which is close to the ENE optimum, so it’s got a bit of potential. Crowds are only “sometimes” an issue, so you might have it mostly to yourself.
Look, the rest of the forecast is a bust. The 18th and 20th have some offshore wind and small swell, but the energy is weak or the wind is too strong. Over 8 ft? Forget it – we never get that high. This is a quiet run for New Brighton, and it’s pretty normal for the area to have long flat spells. If you’re desperate for a wave, the 14th and 19th are your only real shots, but don’t expect much.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Sun night. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Sun morning, min 6°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri morning, min 3°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | SE 4 | NE 8 | ESE 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | ENE 4 | E 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | NE 9 | E 7 | SSE 19 | E 9 | ENE 14 | SSE 17 | E 13 | E 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
17 | 18 | 57 | 34 | 28 | 18 | 10 | 32 | 103 | 94 | 147 | 61 | 19 | 28 | 4 | 35 | 2 | 18 | 55 | 3 | 3 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-off | on | glassy | on | on | cross-off | glassy | on | off | cross-on | cross-off | off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 12:04PM1.98m | 00:29AM1.86m | 1:03PM2.03m | 1:26AM1.90m | 1:59PM2.08m | 2:22AM1.95m | 2:52PM2.11m | 3:15AM1.99m | 3:43PM2.11m | 4:06AM2.01m | 4:33PM2.09m | 4:57AM2.01m | 5:22PM2.04m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:20PM0.23m | 6:39AM0.14m | 7:17PM0.19m | 7:36AM0.10m | 8:13PM0.14m | 8:32AM0.06m | 9:08PM0.10m | 9:27AM0.04m | 10:00PM0.08m | 10:21AM0.04m | 10:52PM0.07m | 11:14AM0.07m | 11:42PM0.09m | ||||||||
6:48 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | |
— | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:14 | — | |
mm | 2 | 4 | 8 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 5 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 9 |
Feels °C | 6 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 5 | -1 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 1 | -2 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 4 | S 17 | NE 9 | S 16 | S 12 | E 8 | E 7 | S 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | S 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | S 16 | E 7 | SSE 4 | NNE 4 | SE 4 | SSE 17 | E 13 | E 13 |
2 | 6 | 12 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 103 | 94 | 20 | 61 | 19 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 55 | 3 | 3 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | NE 8 | SSW 9 | S 15 | S 9 | S 10 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 19 | S 8 | N 3 | S 20 | SSE 6 | SSE 19 | S 18 | ENE 14 | ENE 13 | — | — |
1 | 3 | 28 | 40 | 81 | 2 | 1 | 47 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 10 | 2 | 8 | 3 | 35 | 25 | 18 | 18 | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 8 | NE 8 | S 16 | NNE 6 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 21 | S 20 | E 15 | S 18 | S 16 | NE 9 | ESE 4 | E 7 | E 9 | S 17 | NE 5 | — | — |
2 | 16 | 79 | 3 | 16 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 24 | 5 | 20 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 23 | 1 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 4 | E 4 | ESE 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | ENE 4 | E 8 | — | NNE 3 | ENE 8 | NNW 3 | — | E 7 | SW 2 | — | NW 3 | NW 2 | — | SSW 3 | S 17 |
17 | 18 | 57 | 34 | 28 | 18 | 10 | 32 | — | 3 | 147 | 5 | — | 28 | 2 | — | 2 | 1 | — | 17 | 1150 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 45 | 5 | 171 | 45 | 40 | 20 | 43 | 43 | 0 | 40 | 40 | 0 | 33 | 47 | 20 | 20 | 154 | 5 | 0 | 81 | 249 |
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.










