Surf Forecasts:
New Brighton Beach surf forecast from 29 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 2 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 17s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 2 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 17s period, SSE swell with 377 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 30 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 9s period with SE 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 Sunday (Aug 30) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.2m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. 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 0.8m 17s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 10s period and expected on Monday (Aug 31) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Sun 30th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for New Brighton Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down the surf situation for New Brighton Beach over the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, it’s a lean stretch. The first week and a half sees very little worthwhile surf. The only real highlight comes on Wednesday, September 2nd in the morning. That’s when the swell reaches about 3 ft from the SSE with a very long period of 17 seconds – that’s genuine groundswell and the combined energy of all swells directed here is 337. The wind is glassy from the NW, which means it’ll be smooth as glass. The water is about 51°F, a touch warmer than usual for this time of year. For a beach break, that long period might make the waves a bit closed out, but the cleanliness from the offshore wind is a big plus.
After that morning, things drop off quickly. You’ll see some tiny, weak waves on Thursday, September 10th afternoon – about 2 ft from the ENE with a light offshore WSW wind at 15 km/h, surfable but nothing special. The rest of the period is plagued by small, onshore, and choppy conditions. The second week is mostly flat or poor, with no real standout.
For beginners, the 3 ft on the 2nd is fine. There’s nothing too big at any point. If you happen to be a kite surfer, the strong cross-onshore wind and lumpy conditions on Sunday, September 6th morning (3 ft from the NE, fresh breeze) might be more your speed than paddle surfing.
So, mark your calendar for Wednesday, September 2nd morning. The rest is a long wait.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Mon night. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun afternoon, min 4°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat afternoon, fresh winds from the WNW by Sun afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri morning, min 5°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | SSE 11 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | E 10 | SSE 16 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | SE 13 | N 4 | SSE 10 | NNE 4 | NE 8 | SE 11 | SSE 15 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
25 | 23 | 5 | 6 | 48 | 28 | 61 | 160 | 81 | 2 | 232 | 333 | 162 | 42 | 17 | 10 | 13 | 33 | 5 | 73 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-on | off | off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 5:26PM1.87m | 5:45AM1.79m | 6:08PM1.86m | 6:30AM1.81m | 6:52PM1.84m | 7:17AM1.83m | 7:40PM1.82m | 8:07AM1.84m | 8:31PM1.80m | 9:02AM1.87m | 9:27PM1.78m | 10:02AM1.89m | 10:27PM1.79m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:44PM0.28m | 12:01PM0.25m | 00:29AM0.27m | 12:49PM0.26m | 1:15AM0.26m | 1:39PM0.27m | 2:04AM0.26m | 2:32PM0.28m | 2:55AM0.25m | 3:27PM0.29m | 3:49AM0.24m | 4:24PM0.29m | ||||||||
— | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | |
5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 9 | 13 | 16 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 16 | 14 | 10 |
Feels °C | 11 | 5 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 5 | 4 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | N 4 | ENE 7 | SSE 11 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | NE 9 | SSE 12 | SE 4 | SSE 16 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | SE 13 | SSE 11 | NE 4 | SE 9 | NE 8 | NE 6 | SSE 15 |
25 | 23 | 2 | 5 | 48 | 28 | 61 | 3 | 81 | 1 | 232 | 333 | 162 | 42 | 12 | 4 | 3 | 33 | 2 | 73 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 13 | N 3 | NNE 4 | SE 12 | SSE 17 | SSE 15 | — | — | NE 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | NE 9 | SSE 10 | SE 12 | SE 12 | NE 9 | NE 10 |
17 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 29 | 22 | — | — | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | SE 12 | ENE 7 | S 16 | ENE 8 | — | NE 9 | — | — | — | NE 9 | — | — | — | — | ENE 5 | SE 12 | S 9 | SE 11 | SE 11 |
10 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 7 | — | 3 | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 4 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNW 4 | WNW 3 | NW 3 | SSW 10 | — | — | SSE 12 | SW 3 | S 13 | — | NNE 3 | N 3 | NNE 4 | N 4 | NW 3 | NNE 4 | NW 4 | WNW 4 | NW 4 |
— | 12 | 1 | 6 | 2091 | — | — | 160 | 12 | 202 | — | 2 | 7 | 33 | 17 | 11 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 3 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 10 | 4 | 33 | 49 | 0 | 4 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 20 | 0 | 10 | 9 | 40 | 43 | 43 | 33 | 154 | 40 |
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.











