
Surf Forecasts:
New Brighton Beach surf forecast from 21 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 27 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 15s period, E swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 14s period, E swell with 988 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 24 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 9s period with NE 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 Friday (Jul 24) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 4s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at New Brighton Beach in the next 16 days are 1.6m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 7s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 25) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Mon 27th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Tue 28th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for New Brighton Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s see what New Brighton Beach has got for us.
The start of the run is a bit of a bust. From Wednesday the 22nd through Friday morning the 24th, it’s flat or just plain messy. Tiny waves, mostly wrong wind, water temp around 50°, which is normal for now. Not worth the wetsuit.
Friday afternoon, 24th of July, is the first real sign of life. A 5ft northeast swell at 9 seconds, with a light cross-offshore breeze. The energy’s moderate. It’s clean and rideable.
Saturday and Sunday the 25th and 26th drop back to tiny 0.7ft to 2ft waves with offshore wind, but not enough oomph to get excited.
Monday the 27th morning has a 3ft east swell with a 14-second period, clean offshore wind, and moderate energy. Surfable, but small.
Then comes Tuesday the 28th of July. This is the highlight. Morning glass-off, no wind, and a solid 5ft east swell with a 14-second period. The energy is strong at 931. It’s clean, punchy, and the best we’ve seen. Might get a bit of company though – this spot can get busy.
Wednesday the 29th morning is still good: 5ft from the east, 13 seconds, gentle offshore wind, and strong energy.
The rest of the week into early August is mostly small, clean, but not worth the drive. Wind picks up strong on the 1st.
Now, circle Monday the 3rd of August. Morning glass-off, 5ft of east swell at 12 seconds, energy at 829 – that’s a standout. Tuesday morning the 4th is also glassy with 4ft, and Wednesday the 5th is glassy with 5ft.
The best sessions? Tuesday morning the 28th of July and Monday morning the 3rd of August. Clean, solid, with that long-period east swell. The 28th is the standout of the whole run.
Keep your eyes peeled.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri morning, min 7°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed morning, fresh winds from the NNE by Fri morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Mild temperatures (max 8°C on Mon afternoon, min 3°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | |||||||||||||||
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) | E 11 | E 11 | ESE 11 | NE 4 | ENE 5 | NNE 4 | NE 5 | NE 9 | ENE 7 | ESE 13 | ESE 18 | E 16 | E 15 | E 14 | E 13 | E 14 | E 13 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
9 | 4 | 12 | 11 | 5 | 16 | 41 | 302 | 36 | 17 | 61 | 132 | 157 | 148 | 130 | 232 | 222 | 602 | 931 | 931 | 832 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | on | on | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-on | off |
High Tide | 11:21AM1.80m | 11:41PM1.74m | 12:14PM1.78m | 00:33AM1.70m | 1:04PM1.78m | 1:22AM1.68m | 1:51PM1.79m | 2:08AM1.68m | 2:35PM1.81m | 2:51AM1.69m | 3:18PM1.83m | 3:33AM1.71m | 3:59PM1.86m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:26PM0.37m | 5:48AM0.33m | 6:18PM0.43m | 6:36AM0.38m | 7:08PM0.46m | 7:23AM0.41m | 7:56PM0.47m | 8:08AM0.41m | 8:42PM0.46m | 8:52AM0.39m | 9:26PM0.44m | 9:36AM0.37m | 10:10PM0.41m | ||||||||
7:52 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | |
— | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 5 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 10 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 8 |
Feels °C | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 9 | 12 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 4 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 5 | E 11 | E 11 | NE 4 | ENE 5 | E 11 | E 12 | NE 4 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | E 16 | E 15 | E 14 | E 13 | E 14 | E 13 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 |
3 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 12 | 36 | 10 | 21 | 132 | 157 | 148 | 130 | 232 | 222 | 602 | 931 | 931 | 832 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 11 | NE 4 | SE 12 | E 12 | E 12 | S 10 | S 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ESE 13 | ESE 18 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | E 10 | SE 7 | E 16 | SSE 7 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | S 16 |
9 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 30 | 8 | 17 | 61 | 41 | 40 | 38 | 31 | 7 | 129 | 31 | 38 | 9 | 20 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | SE 10 | ESE 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 12 | S 14 | E 12 | SE 13 | E 19 | ESE 4 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | ESE 13 | SE 7 | SSW 7 | — | — | SSW 11 |
4 | 4 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 6 | 195 | 7 | 16 | — | — | 12 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NE 4 | NNW 3 | NNE 4 | NE 5 | NE 9 | — | S 3 | S 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 3 | NE 4 |
— | — | — | 11 | 3 | 16 | 41 | 302 | — | 9 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 18 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 33 | 33 | 43 | 45 | 47 | 233 | 154 | 0 | 4 | 33 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 0 |
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.










