Surf Forecasts:
New Brighton Beach surf forecast from 1 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 2 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 17s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 2 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 17s period, SSE swell with 267 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 2 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 17s 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 (Sep 02) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 3s. 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 0.7m 17s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 10s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for New Brighton Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s see what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, it’s a tough start. There’s no decent surf for the first ten days or so. The waves are tiny, the wind is all over the place, and it’s just not worth getting wet. You’re looking at a long dry spell from the 1st right through to the 10th of September. A few little pulses of swell come through, but they’re weak, short-period, and blown out. If you’re keen, you’d be better off staying home.
The first real chance of a wave comes on the morning of Thursday 11th September at New Brighton Beach. We’ve got a clean, glassy start with a 3ft easterly groundswell at a nice long 12 seconds. The combined energy is moderate at 308, so there’s some proper grunt in the water. The wind is glassy, which is a huge plus – it’ll be smooth and clean. That morning session is the clear standout of the whole outlook. The water temp is about 51°, which is a touch warmer than average for this time of year, so that’s a nice little bonus. The swell direction is exactly what this spot likes, so it should wrap in nicely.
That afternoon on the 11th, the swell picks up to 4ft from the east with a 13-second period, and the energy jumps to a strong 731. But the wind turns onshore, so it’ll get messy. The tide might be a factor too. If you know the bank really well, you might snag one, but it’s not a session for everyone.
The following morning, Saturday 12th September, holds a similar 4ft east-northeast swell with an 11-second period and moderate energy (399). But again, the wind is cross-onshore, putting a few ripples on the surface. It’s borderline. The size is manageable for a confident beginner, but it’s not clean. That Thursday morning is really the only solid call.
After that, it fades into small, ordinary conditions for the rest of the second week. The waves drop back under 3ft, and while the wind might clean up here and there, the energy is just gone. There’s a bit of a clean-up on the 15th and 16th with a light offshore and a 2ft - 2ft easterly swell, but it’s very weak. Nothing to get excited about.
So, the one and only standout is Thursday 11th September morning at New Brighton Beach. Get on it if you can.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu morning, min 6°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Wed morning, strong winds from the WNW by Fri morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 35mm), heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat morning, min 8°C on Sun night). Mainly strong winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | ||||||||||||||
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 14 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | SSE 14 | SE 12 | N 4 | SSE 11 | NNE 4 | NE 5 | NE 8 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | N 4 | NNE 4 | NE 5 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SE 5 | SE 9 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
163 | 267 | 240 | 123 | 37 | 24 | 11 | 23 | 23 | 34 | 10 | 10 | 24 | 18 | 24 | 41 | 64 | 13 | 9 | 93 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | on | off | cross-off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 7:40PM1.82m | 8:07AM1.84m | 8:31PM1.80m | 9:02AM1.87m | 9:27PM1.78m | 10:02AM1.89m | 10:27PM1.79m | 11:03AM1.93m | 11:29PM1.81m | 12:04PM1.98m | 00:29AM1.86m | 1:03PM2.03m | 1:26AM1.90m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:04AM0.26m | 2:32PM0.28m | 2:55AM0.25m | 3:27PM0.29m | 3:49AM0.24m | 4:24PM0.29m | 4:45AM0.22m | 5:22PM0.27m | 5:42AM0.19m | 6:20PM0.23m | 6:39AM0.14m | 7:17PM0.19m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | |
6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 30 | 5 | — | — |
Temp °C | 10 | 7 | 11 | 15 | 13 | 19 | 18 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 7 |
Feels °C | 6 | 3 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 14 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 7 | -2 | 1 | 4 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 14 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | SSE 14 | SE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SE 10 | NE 5 | NE 8 | NE 6 | SE 10 | S 15 | E 10 | S 18 | S 17 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SE 5 | SE 9 |
163 | 267 | 240 | 123 | 37 | 12 | 11 | 4 | 23 | 34 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 64 | 13 | 5 | 93 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 17 | N 3 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | NE 8 | S 9 | SE 11 | E 8 | S 9 | S 18 | — | — | N 3 | — | ENE 10 | ESE 11 |
73 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 6 | — | — | 1 | — | 9 | 12 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 12 | — | — | SE 12 | E 11 | E 11 | — | S 9 | E 11 | S 8 | S 15 | E 10 | S 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | — | — | — | NE 10 |
2 | 3 | — | — | 5 | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | 4 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NNW 3 | N 4 | N 4 | N 3 | NNE 4 | NNW 3 | WNW 4 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | N 4 | NNE 4 | NE 5 | WSW 2 | S 3 | S 10 | — |
— | — | — | 9 | 17 | 24 | 8 | 23 | 15 | 18 | 10 | 10 | 24 | 18 | 24 | 41 | 1 | 14 | 208 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 40 | 0 | 0 | 49 | 0 | 43 | 43 | 43 | 154 | 177 | 43 | 43 | 49 | 43 | 124 | 45 | 0 | 169 | 169 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Canterbury | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











