Surf Forecasts:
New Brighton Beach surf forecast from 20 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 27 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 15s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 14s period, E swell with 674 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 21 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 14s 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 Tuesday (Jul 21) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 4s. Another secondary swell of 0.7m and 4s 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 1.3m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) 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 1.5m 8s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 25) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Tue 21st Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Mon 27th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Tue 28th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for New Brighton Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break down what’s going on for our local beach.
Honestly, for the first week or so, it’s a bit of a struggle. There’s some swell, but the wind is just not cooperating, and the power is next to nothing. You’ll be waiting for a while before anything good shows up.
New Brighton Beach is the only spot in the game. It’s a beginner-friendly wave, but it doesn’t break all that often and can get a few people out. The water temperature is about what you’d expect for this time of year.
The first real sign of life comes on the morning of Monday, July 27th. The swell is starting to build from the east at 4ft, with a long 15-second period – that’s proper groundswell. The wind is light and cross-off, so it’ll be clean. The energy is strong (1032). This is the best bet in the whole outlook, but it’s a week out, so don’t book the day off just yet. The afternoon looks even glassier with the same swell size, still a great call.
Tuesday, July 28th morning pushes a bit bigger at 4ft from the east, but the wind swings cross-on, making it choppier. The energy is still solid (867), but it’s not as clean.
Wednesday, July 29th morning is a good shout. The swell drops to 3ft from the east, but it’s a clean cross-off with a light breeze. The energy is still good (363). A solid, fun session.
Thursday, July 30th is another winner. The morning is a clean offshore from the west-southwest, with 3ft east swell. The energy is still there (373). The afternoon holds up with a clean cross-off and 3ft. It’s a nice little run of clean waves.
After that, it all fades away. The first week of August sees the swell drop back to tiny, knee-high slop with onshore winds. Not worth a paddle. There’s a small spike on Monday, August 3rd with 4ft from the south-southeast, but the wind is cross and the energy is strong (508), but it’s a marginal call.
So, the bottom line: the real standout is Monday, July 27th and the days following right through to Thursday, July 30th. That’s your window. Don’t bother with the rest.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu afternoon, min 7°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon night, fresh winds from the N by Thu afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri morning, min 3°C on Sun morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Fri afternoon, strong winds from the SW by Sat morning). | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | SSE 14 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | E 11 | E 11 | ESE 11 | NE 4 | N 4 | NNE 4 | NNE 4 | NE 9 | NE 8 | ENE 7 | ESE 18 | E 16 | E 15 | E 14 | E 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 107 | 36 | 31 | 12 | 9 | 4 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 26 | 37 | 45 | 17 | 103 | 131 | 155 | 148 | 132 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-off | on | cross-off | glassy | on | on | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 9:51PM1.90m | 10:24AM1.84m | 10:47PM1.81m | 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 | ||||||
Low Tide | 4:07AM0.19m | 4:33PM0.29m | 4:58AM0.27m | 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 | |||||||
 |  | |  |  |  | | | | | | |  |  | |  | | | | |
 | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 8 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 5 |
Feels °C | 4 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 4 | -4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 16 | NE 4 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | NE 4 | ENE 5 | E 11 | E 12 | NE 9 | NE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | E 16 | E 15 | E 14 | E 14 |
| kJ | 107 | 5 | 31 | 12 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 37 | 45 | 17 | 13 | 131 | 155 | 148 | 132 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 12 | SSE 14 | NE 4 | E 11 | NE 5 | NE 4 | SE 12 | E 12 | E 12 | S 10 | S 9 | E 12 | SE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 18 | SE 5 | SE 5 | ESE 5 | SE 6 |
| kJ | 46 | 36 | 5 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 17 | 60 | 7 | 12 | 11 | 14 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ENE 4 | SE 10 | SE 10 | ESE 11 | S 11 | S 11 | ESE 11 | S 14 | S 9 | S 18 | E 19 | ESE 18 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 11 | E 9 |
| kJ | — | 25 | 24 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 103 | 6 | 6 | 20 | 15 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 4 | N 4 | NNE 4 | NNE 4 | N 3 | — | S 3 | S 3 | — | SSE 6 | S 11 | SSW 10 |
| kJ | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 14 | 12 | 15 | 26 | 11 | — | 9 | 5 | — | 84 | 379 | 193 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 31 | 0 | 4 | 20 | 33 | 45 | 43 | 43 | 47 | 249 | 154 | 5 | 40 | 318 | 255 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 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.
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