Surf Forecasts:
New Brighton Beach surf forecast from 16 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 15s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 24s period, SSE swell with 574 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 17 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 17s 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 Friday (Jul 17) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 3s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 3s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at New Brighton Beach in the next 16 days are 0.7m 24s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 5s period and expected on Monday (Jul 20) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Fri 17th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 24s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for New Brighton Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here again, talkin’ about New Brighton Beach and what’s ahead. It’s not gonna be a classic run, but there are a couple of days that’ll get you out of the house.
Water temp is right around 50°F, which is about par for the course this time of year. The first few days are a struggle. From July 16th, it’s pretty flat with tiny 1ft to 2ft waves, onshore winds, and a lot of chop. The wave energy is barely a whisper, often under 100. It’s a dry spell, no two ways about it.
Things finally turn around on the morning of Saturday, July 19th. The swell bumps up to a clean 3ft out of the east, but the real story is the offshore wind out of the west at 6 mph. That’s gonna groom the faces and give you some nice lines. The combined energy hits 869, so there’s some decent push. It’s classic New Brighton, but be aware, this spot can get a crowd when it’s good.
The afternoon of that same Saturday is a real special one. The swell size drops a little to 2ft, but the period jumps to 22 seconds from the SSE. That’s a proper groundswell, and with the offshore west wind still blowing at 6 mph, it’s going to be clean and glassy. The wave energy is still strong at 743. Those long-period waves will have some power and shape, but expect longer waits between the sets.
Sunday, July 20th morning gives you a glassy 2ft wave from the east. It’s mellow and surfable, but the energy is lower, and it’s more of a windswell. After that, we drop back into a quiet stretch from Monday, July 21st, through Wednesday, July 23rd. We’re talking 1ft dribble with cross and onshore winds making a mess of it. Not worth the walk.
We get a little bump on the weekend of July 26th and 27th. Saturday the 26th morning brings a 3ft ENE swell with a short 8-second period, but it’s clean with a 6 mph offshore wind. The energy is moderate at 116. Sunday the 27th morning has a 2ft SE swell, a 10-second period, and a 9 mph offshore wind. Clean again, but the punch is modest.
The tail end of the month into early August is mostly average. There’s a small pulse on Thursday, July 31st morning, with a 2ft east swell and glassy conditions, but the energy is low at 117. You can surf it, but you’ll be working for ‘em.
So here’s the bottom line: your best bet is that Saturday, July 19th. The morning with the 3ft east swell and offshore wind is prime, and the afternoon with that long-period groundswell is a real treat. Sunday morning, July 20th, is the backup option. The rest of it? Just keep an eye on the forecast and hope for a change.
Stay safe out there.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Sat afternoon, min 6°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 10°C on Sun afternoon, min 7°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | E 17 | E 17 | E 16 | E 15 | E 15 | SSE 22 | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | SSE 18 | SSE 19 | SSE 19 | SSE 17 | SSE 18 | SSE 16 | SSE 16 | E 11 | E 11 | SSE 11 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 83 | 270 | 465 | 520 | 484 | 447 | 397 | 246 | 130 | 125 | 104 | 118 | 238 | 119 | 120 | 105 | 48 | 12 | 9 | 13 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | glassy | glassy | on | glassy | cross-off | off | off | glassy | on | glassy | off | off | glassy | cross-on | on | off | glassy | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 6:10PM2.24m | 6:34AM2.05m | 7:05PM2.18m | 7:31AM2.01m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:33AM0.00m | 12:52PM-0.04m | 1:28AM0.02m | 1:48PM0.02m | 2:22AM0.06m | 2:44PM0.10m | 3:15AM0.12m | 3:38PM0.20m | 4:07AM0.19m | 4:33PM0.29m | 4:58AM0.27m | 5:26PM0.37m | ||||||||
 |  | | | | | |  | | | |  |  | | | | | | |  | |
 | — | — | 7:56 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — |
 | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 10 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Feels °C | 6 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 16 | E 17 | E 17 | E 16 | E 15 | E 15 | ESE 14 | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | ESE 12 | SSE 19 | SSE 17 | SSE 18 | SSE 16 | NE 4 | NE 4 | NE 5 | SSE 11 |
| kJ | 83 | 270 | 465 | 520 | 484 | 447 | 346 | 246 | 130 | 125 | 77 | 49 | 238 | 119 | 120 | 105 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 13 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 7 | NE 3 | ENE 4 | S 16 | S 19 | SSE 23 | SSE 22 | SSE 18 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | SSE 18 | SSE 19 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SSE 16 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 |
| kJ | 7 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 422 | 397 | 102 | 50 | 42 | 104 | 118 | 48 | 46 | 25 | 24 | 48 | 9 | 9 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | S 16 | SSE 16 | — | S 20 | — | — | SSE 21 | SE 21 | SSE 19 | NE 3 | ENE 4 | — | — | — | — | ESE 11 | SSE 11 | SE 11 | NE 4 |
| kJ | 5 | 5 | 26 | — | 31 | — | — | 90 | 17 | 36 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 12 | 12 | 5 | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 7 | NNE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 5 | — | — | — | — | N 4 | SW 3 | — | — |
| kJ | 4 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | 10 | 1 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 40 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 40 | 0 | 20 | 33 | 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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