
Surf Forecasts:
New Brighton Beach surf forecast from 10 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 17 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 8s period, SE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 8s period, NE swell with 767 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 cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at New Brighton Beach in the next 16 days are 2.4m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for New Brighton Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let's switch to feet and Fahrenheit. Rusty here again, looking at the same 16-day stretch for New Brighton Beach. It’s a slow start, so don’t rush out. The first week is mostly flat or junk, with the only real highlight being a solid pulse on Monday, August 17th. That’s the one to chase.
From Tuesday the 11th through the weekend, the surf is tiny and weak. Most days you’re looking at waves under 3 feet, with onshore or cross-shore winds making a mess of things. The water is about 49°F, which is normal for this time of year. Just a lot of flat, bumpy, or ordinary conditions. Not worth the drive.
The turn comes on Monday morning, August 17th. We get a solid 7ft swell from the SE, with an 8-second period. The combined energy hits 835 (moderate to strong), and the wind is a clean offshore from the WSW at 15 mph. This is the best session of the whole outlook – clean, punchy, and with enough size to get a proper ride. But at 7ft, this is getting into the territory where it’s a bit much for beginners. Intermediates and up will have a blast, but new surfers might want to sit this one out. The swell is from the SE, which isn’t the ideal ENE direction, but with that offshore wind and decent period, it’ll still produce fun, workable waves. Crowds are possible, but not guaranteed.
After that Monday morning peak, the rest of the week drops off fast. By Tuesday the 18th, we’re back to tiny, ordinary surf. The second week, from the 19th on, is a real letdown. Waves stay small – mostly 1ft to 2ft – with very long periods (10-16 seconds) that are too long for a beach break. You’ll get long waits and weak, short rides. The wind is often glassy, but there’s no power behind the waves. A few mornings are “surfable but very ordinary,” but that’s about it.
The only true standout in this whole 16-day window is Monday morning, August 17th. For a break that’s inconsistent, this is a pretty normal run of quiet days. If you’re itching for a paddle, the Friday morning the 14th gives you a tiny 2ft wave with clean offshore wind, but it’s weak. That Monday morning is the one to set your alarm for.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu afternoon, min 8°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the NE on Tue morning, fresh winds from the ENE by Tue night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri afternoon, min 5°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ENE 5 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 8 | ENE 8 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | SE 8 | ESE 10 | E 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
70 | 42 | 66 | 149 | 220 | 256 | 425 | 119 | 75 | 54 | 52 | 36 | 35 | 24 | 42 | 38 | 56 | 96 | 634 | 210 | 134 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross | off | off | glassy | on | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 3:08PM2.16m | 3:30AM2.01m | 4:02PM2.19m | 4:24AM2.04m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:25PM0.10m | 9:44AM-0.02m | 10:21PM0.05m | 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 | ||||||||
7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | |
— | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 9 |
Feels °C | 6 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 13 | 13 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 11 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | E 14 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | E 10 | ESE 8 | ESE 10 | E 9 |
70 | 42 | 5 | 39 | 4 | 4 | 167 | 119 | 75 | 54 | 52 | 36 | 35 | 24 | 42 | 38 | 26 | 70 | 114 | 210 | 134 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | SE 10 | S 16 | S 20 | SE 9 | E 14 | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | E 14 | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | E 8 | E 16 | E 10 | ENE 10 | SE 8 |
28 | 13 | 28 | 5 | 8 | 3 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 3 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 4 | 13 | 5 | 5 | 67 | 31 | 32 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 20 | NE 6 | S 16 | S 21 | S 15 | S 18 | ESE 14 | — | — | E 16 | ESE 14 | S 18 | S 18 | S 17 | S 16 | E 8 | E 10 | E 12 | ESE 10 | E 15 | E 10 |
7 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 4 | 25 | 19 | — | — | 5 | 40 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 20 | 18 | 8 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | ENE 5 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | — | — | — | SSW 3 | — | — | S 3 | — | SE 5 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | SE 8 | S 14 | — |
— | — | 66 | 149 | 220 | 256 | 425 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | 8 | 56 | 96 | 634 | 4 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 20 | 45 | 45 | 54 | 45 | 31 | 20 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 124 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 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.











