Surf Forecasts:
New Brighton Beach surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, SSE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, SSE swell with 425 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 12s. 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 0.9m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) 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 0.7m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for New Brighton Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let's get into it. Rusty here, looking at the next couple of weeks for us.
Honestly, it's a pretty bleak stretch for New Brighton Beach. We're looking at a long run of days with very little to get excited about. The first real chance of anything surfable doesn't come around until Wednesday the 2nd of September, and even then, it's a "maybe" kind of day. Before that, it's a whole lot of tiny, weak waves and ordinary conditions.
We've got a massive gap of nearly two weeks with no solid recommendations. From now through the end of August, the swell is tiny—barely a ripple most days. The water temp is sitting at 50°, which is pretty much average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
If you're absolutely desperate, the only flicker of hope is on Wednesday morning, September 2nd. The wind will be glassy, which is a huge bonus, and we'll see a 2 ft swell rolling in from the SE at a long 14 seconds. That long period gives it some shape, but with the combined wave energy at 110, it's only just moderate. It's a small, clean morning for a longboard. For a beginner spot like this, the small conditions are actually a good thing though.
The rest of the time, the wind is messy or onshore, and the swell just isn't there. The bigger reading we get on Saturday the 29th of August, with 3 ft from the NE, is accompanied by a patchy forecast and is still pretty ordinary. Not worth holding your breath for.
So, keep your expectations on the floor for now. The second week of the forecast holds that one small possibility on the 2nd, but until then, it's a long wait. This run of flatness is not unusual for the area when the conditions line up this way.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 10°C on Wed afternoon, min 7°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon morning, min 6°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri night, strong winds from the NW by Sat night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 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) | E 10 | SE 15 | SSE 15 | E 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | SSE 16 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | N 4 | NNE 4 | E 14 | E 13 | SSE 14 | N 4 | E 14 | E 14 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 19 | 314 | 89 | 48 | 52 | 27 | 29 | 26 | 24 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 19 | 25 | 14 | 16 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | off | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 9:18PM1.81m | 9:51AM1.81m | 10:14PM1.74m | 10:46AM1.78m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:10PM0.27m | 3:34AM0.27m | 4:02PM0.36m | 4:24AM0.34m | 4:54PM0.42m | 5:13AM0.40m | 5:45PM0.47m | 6:01AM0.43m | 6:34PM0.49m | 6:48AM0.44m | 7:21PM0.48m | 7:34AM0.42m | 8:07PM0.46m | |||||||
 |  |  |  |  |  |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — |
 | 5:45 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — |
mm | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 13 |
Feels °C | 4 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 12 | 11 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | SE 15 | SE 8 | E 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | E 9 | SSE 16 | E 11 | ENE 3 | SSE 11 | SE 10 | E 14 | NE 8 | E 13 | SSE 14 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 |
| kJ | 19 | 314 | 72 | 48 | 52 | 27 | 14 | 14 | 24 | 9 | 1 | 11 | 4 | 15 | 11 | 14 | 19 | 14 | 14 | 16 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 14 | E 10 | SSE 15 | SE 8 | SSE 13 | SE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 16 | E 10 | SSE 12 | E 10 | NE 5 | E 15 | SE 9 | E 14 | NNE 6 | E 13 | S 17 | S 18 | S 16 |
| kJ | 4 | 19 | 89 | 35 | 16 | 9 | 5 | 26 | 7 | 14 | 8 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 14 | 4 | 13 | 6 | 24 | 20 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 12 | E 12 | SSE 14 | ESE 13 | E 13 | SSE 17 | SE 8 | ENE 3 | S 16 | SSE 11 | E 10 | E 9 | S 16 | S 10 | — | SE 4 | S 7 | S 6 | N 5 |
| kJ | — | 12 | 25 | 41 | 16 | 3 | 29 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 2 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | SSW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | ENE 3 | — | NNW 3 | N 4 | NNE 4 | NW 4 | — | NNW 3 | N 4 | NNW 4 | N 3 |
| kJ | 260 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 1 | — | 3 | 12 | 16 | 8 | — | 2 | 25 | 14 | 6 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 194 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 33 | 40 | 20 | 40 | 33 | 43 | 43 | 124 | 33 | 124 | 20 | 5 | 43 | 43 |
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.
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