Surf Forecasts:
New Brighton Beach surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 13 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s period, ENE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 8s period, ENE swell with 464 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s 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 Thursday (Aug 13) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 13s. 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 2.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 16s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for New Brighton Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, mate, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for New Brighton Beach.
Honestly, we’re in for a pretty flat and quiet run over the next week and a half. The swell is tiny and the energy is mostly weak, so don’t expect much to get excited about. There’s a real gap of quiet days in the middle, but toward the end of the window, we might finally see a pulse of something rideable.
The best of the bunch looks like Thursday the 27th of August, with a bit of a late kick. The morning is still pretty ordinary, but by Thursday afternoon, we’ve got a 4ft ENE swell, period just under 9 seconds, and the wind is offshore from the WSW at 15 mph. That’s clean and punchy enough to make it worth a paddle. The combined swell energy climbs to 300 (moderate), so there’s a bit of push behind it. That’s the standout window for the whole 16 days.
Before that, it’s slim pickings. The first real mention of anything surfable is Friday the 14th, with a tiny 2ft E swell. The wind is offshore on Friday morning and glassy on Friday afternoon, so the waves are clean, but they’re small and ordinary. Saturday the 15th is similar – 2ft E swell, offshore in the morning, clean but weak. The combined energy is barely over 50 (weak). Then we hit a long stretch of nothing much from Sunday the 16th right through to Tuesday the 25th. There are a few moments with a bit of energy, like Wednesday the 19th morning when a 2ft SE swell rolls in with a 15-second period – that’s a long-period groundswell but it’s still tiny, and the energy is 254 (moderate). It’s clean but not worth rushing out for.
The water temperature is about average for this time of year, nothing unusual. New Brighton Beach is a fairly exposed beach break, so it can pick up a bit of swell, but it’s inconsistent and can be a bit of a dice roll.
Overall, if you’re keen, keep your eyes on Thursday the 27th of August afternoon for the best chance of a decent session. The rest of the 16 days is mostly flat or very ordinary.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu morning, min 5°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Very mild (max 10°C on Mon afternoon, min 4°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 7 | E 7 | ENE 9 | E 9 | SSE 8 | SE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | SSE 16 | SE 9 | SSE 14 | SE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
464 | 142 | 71 | 58 | 55 | 41 | 39 | 37 | 84 | 42 | 72 | 79 | 137 | 240 | 116 | 146 | 58 | 146 | 44 | 38 | 22 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | off | off | glassy | glassy | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 4:55PM2.19m | 5:17AM2.05m | 5:47PM2.16m | 6:11AM2.02m | 6:39PM2.09m | 7:05AM1.98m | 7:31PM2.00m | 8:00AM1.93m | 8:24PM1.90m | 8:55AM1.87m | 9:18PM1.81m | 9:51AM1.81m | 10:14PM1.74m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:40AM-0.04m | 11:15PM0.03m | 11:35AM-0.02m | 00:08AM0.03m | 12:29PM0.02m | 1:01AM0.06m | 1:23PM0.09m | 1:52AM0.12m | 2:17PM0.18m | 2:43AM0.19m | 3:10PM0.27m | 3:34AM0.27m | 4:02PM0.36m | ||||||||
7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | |
— | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:47 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 11 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 10 |
Feels °C | 12 | 12 | 7 | 10 | 13 | 8 | 6 | 6 | -2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 7 | E 7 | ENE 9 | SE 6 | ENE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | SSE 16 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 |
181 | 142 | 71 | 58 | 55 | 41 | 39 | 37 | 84 | 33 | 28 | 79 | 137 | 240 | 116 | 146 | 58 | 146 | 36 | 21 | 22 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | E 13 | E 13 | E 14 | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | E 9 | E 12 | ENE 10 | E 16 | S 14 | E 12 | SSE 10 | E 11 | E 10 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | SSE 12 |
19 | 18 | 14 | 3 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 4 | 42 | 3 | 32 | 19 | 4 | 103 | 19 | 37 | 30 | 44 | 38 | 15 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 9 | — | SE 10 | E 16 | ESE 14 | E 9 | S 17 | S 17 | — | S 19 | ESE 12 | SSE 17 | S 15 | — | SSE 8 | S 16 | SSE 10 | SE 8 | E 12 | E 11 | E 11 |
7 | — | 4 | 5 | 40 | 2 | 6 | 6 | — | 7 | 15 | 29 | 17 | — | 7 | 21 | 20 | 16 | 11 | 9 | 9 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | — | — | SW 3 | SSW 3 | — | — | S 3 | SSE 6 | SW 3 | SSE 8 | — | WSW 2 | SSW 3 | SW 3 | SW 3 | — | — | SW 2 | — | — |
464 | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | 3 | 53 | 2 | 72 | — | 1 | 3 | 2 | 3 | — | — | 1 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 40 | 43 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
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.











