New Brighton Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 43.47° S 172.72° E

New Brighton Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 29 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's New Brighton Beach sea temperature is
9.5° C
0.1° 

New Brighton Beach surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


New Brighton Beach surf forecast from 29 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 2 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 13s period, SE swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 2 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 13s period, SE swell with 553 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 30 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 12s 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 Thursday (Jul 30) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 5s. Another secondary swell of 0.7m and 6s is also forecast. 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 1.3m 13s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 02) 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 3.0m 15s period and expected on Monday (Aug 03) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Thu 30th Jul)2.5ft (0.7m) 12s
Best Surf 3AM (Sun 2nd Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 13s
Most Powerful 3AM (Sun 2nd Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 13s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for New Brighton Beach over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's cookin' for New Brighton Beach.

First up, the water temp is sitting pretty much where it should be for this time of year, so no need to worry about any weird thermals messing with the vibe.

Right now, the start of the period is a bit of a write-off. We're looking at a few days of small, messy, onshore junk with a cross-chop that'll have you paddling for nothing. The energy is weak (127) and the wind is all wrong. That first Saturday morning, the 1st of August, is where it starts to flicker to life. We've got a 3 ft swell from the SSE, with a 12-second period, and the wind is offshore from the WSW. That's a clean combo, and the energy jumps to a solid 354. It's not a monster, but it's the first real chance to get a few clean ones. The break is inconsistent, so you'll be waiting between sets, but when they come, they'll be clean.

The 3rd of August Monday afternoon is a sneaky one. A 2 ft swell from the SSE, but with a 15-second period. That's proper groundswell energy, and it’s clean. The energy is 181, so it's not powerful, but that long period will give you a nice, lined-up wave. It's a good one for the longboard.

Now, the real standout. The 10th of August Monday afternoon. The swell is a beast, 12 ft from the E, with a 12-second period. The energy is a massive 4908. But, and it's a big but, that's too big for this spot. The guidance says it's predicted to be too big for this break. For the experts only, and even then, it's a dicey one. The wind is cross-off from the S, so it'll be clean, but the sheer size will be a challenge. The 11th of August brings even more size, with 12 ft and 14-second period, but the wind goes onshore and the energy hits 6414, making it a complete mess.

The best of the lot, the one I'd be looking at, is the 7th of August Friday morning. We've got a 8 ft swell from the SSE, with a 12-second period, and the energy is 1863. The wind is light and onshore, but the wave quality is there. It's a big day, but not stupid big. It's the peak of the swell before it gets too wild. If you're an experienced surfer, that's the window. The 5th of August Wednesday morning is also worth a mention for the glassy conditions, with a 3 ft SE swell and no wind. It's not big, but it'll be perfection.

For the rest of the second week, there's a few other days with 3 ft to 6 ft swell, but the wind is a mix of onshore and cross-off, and the energy is moderate. Nothing that'll get the heart racing compared to that big pulse.

So, in short: the first few days are a dud. The 1st of August is a clean start. The 5th of August is glassy. But the big one to circle is the 7th of August for the experienced crew. The 10th is just too much for this beach.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Fri night. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu morning, min 3°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed night, strong winds from the SW by Fri night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon afternoon, min 6°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
30
Friday
31
Saturday
1
Sunday
2
Monday
3
Tuesday
4
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
2
1
0
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
E
12
0.6
E
12
0.6
E
12
1
NE
8
0.4
E
12
0.4
E
12
0.3
ESE
15
0.9
SSE
12
0.9
SE
12
0.7
SE
13
0.9
SE
13
0.7
SE
12
0.6
SE
12
0.4
SE
12
0.6
SSE
15
0.8
SSE
14
0.8
SSE
13
0.7
SE
12
0.7
SE
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
190
104
101
132
43
41
44
268
224
183
241
157
89
47
172
233
222
149
130
Wind (km/h)
5
NW
25
N
25
N
30
N
30
NNW
25
W
35
SW
25
WSW
20
SW
10
W
10
WSW
10
ENE
10
W
10
W
15
WSW
15
SW
20
SW
25
SSW
15
WSW
Wind State
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
off
on
off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
High Tide
4:56AM1.72m
5:21PM1.87m
5:37AM1.72m
6:01PM1.86m
6:18AM1.71m
6:42PM1.83m
7:00AM1.71m
7:23PM1.81m
7:44AM1.71m
8:06PM1.78m
8:31AM1.72m
8:53PM1.76m
Low Tide
10:54PM0.38m
11:04AM0.31m
11:37PM0.36m
11:47AM0.30m
00:20AM0.34m
12:31PM0.30m
1:03AM0.33m
1:16PM0.31m
1:47AM0.33m
2:03PM0.33m
2:31AM0.32m
2:52PM0.34m
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
heavy rain
mod rain
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:43
7:43
7:41
7:41
7:39
7:39
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:25
5:27
5:28
5:29
5:30
5:30
 mm
12
7
1
3
Temp °C
11
14
13
13
12
12
7
4
7
7
8
8
8
10
14
8
8
8
7
Feels °C
9
8
7
6
4
6
-3
-2
3
1
6
5
7
7
10
5
1
1
2
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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