Surf Forecasts:
New Brighton Beach surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 1 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 17s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 1 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 16s period, SSE swell with 917 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 26 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 0.5ft (0.2m), 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 (Aug 26) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.2m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 13s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 4s is also forecast. 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 1.4m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 5.0m 14s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Wed 26th Aug) | 0.5ft (0.2m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Tue 1st Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Tue 1st Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for New Brighton Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey, Rusty here.
Alright, New Brighton Beach is looking like a tough call for the next 16 days. There’s a big dry spell at the start, and only one real highlight worth paddling out for.
Starting Wednesday the 26th of August, we’ve got tiny 0.7ft slop from the E and SSE. Water’s about 50°, which is normal for this time of year. The whole first week is a bust. Thursday and Friday bring onshore winds up to 22 mph and lumpy, messy waves. The swell tries to hit 6ft on Friday morning but it’s cross-onshore and short-period – total waste. Saturday and Sunday drop back to flatness, even with some glassy patches, but the combined energy is weak (32 early Sunday), so there’s nothing to ride.
From Monday the 31st through the end of the forecast, it’s tiny waves, mostly under 2ft, and rubbish wind. The one glimmer is early Tuesday the 1st of September – glassy conditions with 3ft of SSE groundswell, 16-second period, and combined energy of 464. That’s your one shot. After that, it’s back to 0.7ft–1ft dribble with cross or onshore breezes.
This spot is inconsistent normally, and this run is no different. There’s a solid 10-day gap from the 26th of August until the morning of the 1st of September where you’re better off doing something else. Honestly, on the windier, bigger days, this looks more like a kite spot than a surf spot.
The only standout is that Tuesday 1st September glass-off with 3ft of long-period groundswell. Clean, but you’ve got to be there early.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Wed night. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri afternoon, min 6°C on Thu morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ENE on Thu afternoon, calm by Fri night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 6°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat afternoon, fresh winds from the WNW by Sun afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | |||||||||||||||
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) | E 14 | SSE 17 | SSE 17 | SSE 17 | SSE 17 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | SE 12 | E 4 | SSE 17 | SSE 15 | SE 13 | S 12 | SSE 16 | SE 11 | SE 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 14 | 29 | 101 | 97 | 109 | 117 | 403 | 169 | 65 | 25 | 23 | 15 | 22 | 7 | 195 | 89 | 44 | 0 | 464 | 110 | 77 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | off | glassy | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:26PM1.84m | 3:42AM1.72m | 4:06PM1.86m | 4:22AM1.75m | 4:46PM1.87m | 5:03AM1.77m | 5:26PM1.87m | 5:45AM1.79m | 6:08PM1.86m | 6:30AM1.81m | 6:52PM1.84m | 7:17AM1.83m | 7:40PM1.82m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:02AM0.35m | 9:34PM0.38m | 9:45AM0.31m | 10:17PM0.34m | 10:30AM0.28m | 11:00PM0.31m | 11:15AM0.26m | 11:44PM0.28m | 12:01PM0.25m | 00:29AM0.27m | 12:49PM0.26m | 1:15AM0.26m | 1:39PM0.27m | 2:04AM0.26m | |||||||
 | |  |  |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — |
 | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — |
mm | — | — | 13 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 15 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 12 |
Feels °C | 11 | 13 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 4 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 4 | SSE 17 | SSE 17 | SSE 17 | SSE 17 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | NNE 4 | E 4 | SSE 17 | SSE 15 | SE 13 | — | SSE 16 | SE 11 | SE 10 |
| kJ | 7 | 29 | 101 | 97 | 109 | 30 | 13 | 169 | 65 | 25 | 23 | 15 | 3 | 7 | 195 | 89 | 44 | — | 464 | 110 | 77 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | E 12 | — | SSE 11 | NNW 3 | ESE 13 | N 3 | SE 12 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | NE 8 | E 11 | N 3 | — | — | SSE 13 | NE 11 |
| kJ | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 3 | — | 13 | 1 | 17 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 62 | 5 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 17 | — | NE 7 | — | — | — | — | SE 14 | SE 14 | SSE 10 | ESE 13 | SE 10 | NNW 3 | SE 12 | E 12 | NE 10 | E 11 | — | — | S 18 | NE 11 |
| kJ | 23 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | 8 | 29 | 10 | 17 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 2 | — | — | 6 | 5 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNE 4 | ESE 5 | E 4 | ENE 5 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | NNW 4 | — | N 4 | — | NNW 2 | SE 12 | S 4 | SW 3 | NNW 3 | — | S 12 | — | — | NE 4 |
| kJ | — | 11 | 15 | 9 | 61 | 117 | 403 | 18 | — | 9 | — | 1 | 22 | 13 | 4 | 1 | — | 446 | — | — | 7 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 20 | 0 | 4 | 45 | 233 | 54 | 40 | 124 | 0 | 43 | 4 | 33 | 159 | 20 | 4 | 10 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 43 | 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.
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