
Surf Forecasts:
New Brighton Beach surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 19 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 14s period, E swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 19s period, SSE swell with 325 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 14s 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 Sunday (Jul 19) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 18s. 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 0.7m 19s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 25) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for New Brighton Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright mate, let’s break down what New Brighton Beach has in store for the next couple of weeks.
The only real standout is on Saturday the 18th of July. We’ve got a solid 4ft swell coming out of the SSE with a super long period of 23 seconds – that’s proper groundswell with plenty of grunt. The combined energy is cranked right up at 2279, so there’s definitely power behind it. Glassy conditions with a light NNE breeze at just 3 mph mean the surface will be butter smooth. Water temp is 50°F, which is about what you’d expect for this time of year. This is prime for experienced surfers, but that long period can make beach breaks a bit shut-down. Crowds are a possibility, so be ready for company.
Sunday the 19th drops off to a small 2ft easterly swell with a 13-second period and a clean offshore wind from the SW at 9 mph in the morning. It’s surfable but nothing to write home about. The afternoon goes glassy but even smaller.
Monday the 20th has similar small 2ft SSE swells with a long 19-second period and moderate energy (374). Glassy offshore wind in the morning keeps it clean, but the size is lacking.
From Tuesday the 21st right through the end of July, it’s mostly tiny, weak, and disappointing. We get a few glassy mornings with waves barely reaching 1ft to 2ft, and energy readings mostly below 200. Not worth suiting up for. The 23rd has a brief 3ft NE swell, but with a pathetic 5-second period, it’ll be lumpy and weak.
The end of July and beginning of August is more of the same: tiny swells, strong onshore winds, and choppy, messy conditions. The 28th has a 4ft NE swell in the afternoon, but with a gusty onshore breeze at 9 mph and short period, it’ll be blown out and ugly.
Bottom line: Saturday the 18th of July is your only real window. After that, it’s a long, flat stretch with just a few clean but tiny mornings. For this area, that kind of dry spell isn’t unusual. Forecasts can shift, but for now, don’t expect much.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 11°C on Sat afternoon, min 7°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Fri morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu afternoon, min 8°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed morning, fresh winds from the N by Thu night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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 23 | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | ESE 12 | SSE 19 | SSE 19 | SSE 16 | SE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 11 | E 11 | E 11 | NE 3 | NE 5 | N 3 | ENE 5 | NE 8 | SE 6 | ESE 5 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
1532 | 246 | 176 | 125 | 190 | 325 | 315 | 105 | 46 | 32 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 3 | 42 | 11 | 5 | 9 | 7 | 4 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | off | off | glassy | glassy | glassy | on | on | off | glassy | glassy | off | on | on | glassy | cross | cross-on | off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 8:00PM2.09m | 8:28AM1.95m | 8:56PM2.00m | 9:27AM1.89m | 9:51PM1.90m | 10:24AM1.84m | 10:47PM1.81m | 11:21AM1.80m | 11:41PM1.74m | 12:14PM1.78m | 00:33AM1.70m | 1:04PM1.78m | 1:22AM1.68m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:22AM0.06m | 2:44PM0.10m | 3:15AM0.12m | 3:38PM0.20m | 4:07AM0.19m | 4:33PM0.29m | 4:58AM0.27m | 5:26PM0.37m | 5:48AM0.33m | 6:18PM0.43m | 6:36AM0.38m | 7:08PM0.46m | ||||||||
— | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | |
5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | — |
Temp °C | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 15 | 13 | 9 | 8 | 5 |
Feels °C | 9 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 11 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 1 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 14 | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | SSE 19 | SSE 19 | SSE 16 | NE 4 | SSE 13 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | E 11 | E 11 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | NE 4 | SE 3 | ESE 5 |
346 | 246 | 176 | 125 | 77 | 325 | 315 | 105 | 4 | 32 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 2 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 23 | SSE 18 | SSE 16 | SSE 19 | SSE 18 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | SE 14 | NE 4 | ESE 11 | E 11 | SE 10 | SE 9 | E 12 | E 12 | E 11 | NE 8 | SE 6 | SSE 6 |
401 | 110 | 86 | 71 | 134 | 49 | 49 | 46 | 46 | 3 | 12 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 7 | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 23 | SSE 22 | SE 21 | SE 7 | ESE 12 | — | — | — | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ENE 4 | NE 5 | NE 4 | S 14 | S 10 | S 10 | — | — | ENE 6 | ENE 6 |
1532 | 46 | 17 | 7 | 190 | — | — | — | 25 | 24 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 3 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | NE 3 | NE 5 | N 3 | N 3 | — | SW 2 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 42 | 11 | 5 | — | 1 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 31 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 33 | 43 | 43 | 0 | 45 | 142 | 36 | 157 | 33 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Canterbury | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.










