
Surf Forecasts:
New Brighton Beach surf forecast from 5 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 6 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 14s period, ESE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 12 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 7s period, NE swell with 383 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 6 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 14s period with ESE 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 Thursday (Aug 06) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 15s 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 1.9m 7s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 7s period and expected on Monday (Aug 10) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12PM (Thu 6th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 12PM (Thu 6th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for New Brighton Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for New Brighton Beach over the next couple of weeks.
Straight up, I’ve gotta be honest with you – this is a tough stretch. We’re looking at a long, dry spell with barely a ripple worth paddling for. The first week and a half is mostly a write-off, with only a few fleeting moments that might get you wet, but nothing that’ll get the heart racing. The only real standout, the one that’s got my attention, is way out there on Saturday the 15th of August. That’s the one to circle on the calendar.
So, starting off, we’ve got nothing on Thursday the 6th. The morning shows a tiny 2 ft swell from the SE with a long 15-second period, and the water is sitting at 50°, which is pretty much what you’d expect for this time of year. The combined energy is moderate at 248, but it’s just ordinary. The afternoon is even more marginal. Friday the 7th is a straight-up no-go with poor conditions and small, weak swell. Saturday the 8th is glassy in the morning with a calm sea, but the swell is barely 1.0 ft – it’s a flat day, mate. Sunday the 9th offers a little hope with a 3 ft NE swell and a clean offshore wind in the morning, but the period is short (8 seconds) and the energy is moderate (121). It’s surfable, but it’s nothing to write home about. The rest of that week and into the next is a wasteland of poor surf, onshore winds, and tiny waves.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Saturday the 15th of August is the one. The morning is looking clear with a clean 4 ft swell from the ENE, a 10-second period, and a light offshore wind from the WSW. The combined energy is a solid 284 (moderate). This is the best of the bunch by a long shot. The break is fairly exposed, and the swell direction is a good match for what the spot likes. It’s not huge, but it’ll be clean and fun. The afternoon drops off a bit, but the morning session is the one to chase. Keep in mind, this is a long-range call, so don’t bet the farm on it, but it’s promising.
After that, we’re back to small, ordinary conditions through the 16th, 17th, and 18th. The 18th has a clean 2 ft swell from the SSE with a 13-second period, but it’s barely surfable. The 19th has a glassy morning with a 2 ft SE swell, but again, it’s just ordinary. The outlook fades out into flatness by the 21st.
So, to sum it up: if you’re desperate for a paddle, the morning of Sunday the 9th might give you a little something, but the real target is the morning of Saturday the 15th of August. It’s a long wait, but it might just be worth it. For now, the beach is quiet, and the forecasts can always change.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 11°C on Sat night, min 4°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Sun afternoon, min 7°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon afternoon, fresh winds from the ENE by Tue afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 15 | SE 13 | SE 11 | SE 14 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | NE 8 | ENE 7 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 14 | ESE 12 | SE 11 | ENE 5 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | N 4 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
106 | 167 | 121 | 57 | 61 | 49 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 95 | 44 | 13 | 13 | 18 | 29 | 33 | 42 | 139 | 96 | 63 | 18 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | glassy | on | on | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | glassy | glassy | on | on | on | cross-on | cross | cross |
High Tide | 10:17AM1.80m | 10:40PM1.76m | 11:16AM1.86m | 11:39PM1.79m | 12:16PM1.94m | 00:39AM1.84m | 1:15PM2.02m | 1:38AM1.90m | 2:12PM2.10m | 2:34AM1.96m | 3:08PM2.16m | 3:30AM2.01m | 4:02PM2.19m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:37PM0.33m | 5:00AM0.26m | 5:34PM0.31m | 5:55AM0.22m | 6:32PM0.27m | 6:52AM0.16m | 7:30PM0.21m | 7:49AM0.09m | 8:28PM0.15m | 8:47AM0.03m | 9:25PM0.10m | 9:44AM-0.02m | 10:21PM0.05m | ||||||||
7:35 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | |
— | 5:32 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 13 |
Feels °C | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 10 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 9 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | ESE 10 | SE 11 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | ESE 5 | ESE 6 | ENE 7 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | SE 9 | ESE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 |
98 | 135 | 121 | 57 | 61 | 49 | 16 | 15 | 5 | 6 | 44 | 10 | 8 | 12 | 29 | 33 | 30 | 9 | 9 | 63 | 17 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 15 | — | SE 17 | SE 10 | ENE 3 | SSE 11 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ENE 6 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 11 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 |
44 | — | 75 | 33 | 1 | 12 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 9 | 13 | 13 | 8 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 5 | 49 | 6 | 6 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 15 | SE 13 | S 9 | SE 14 | SSE 12 | — | ESE 10 | E 14 | — | SE 12 | SE 12 | E 13 | E 13 | ESE 14 | NE 7 | S 13 | S 18 | S 17 | S 16 | S 12 | E 14 |
106 | 167 | 136 | 49 | 15 | — | 9 | 4 | — | 6 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 18 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NE 3 | NE 3 | — | — | — | NNE 3 | NE 8 | SW 3 | — | — | — | — | ENE 3 | ENE 5 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | N 4 | N 4 |
— | — | — | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | 1 | 95 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 6 | 42 | 139 | 96 | 12 | 18 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 33 | 20 | 31 | 31 | 0 | 4 | 40 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 20 | 33 | 4 | 43 | 45 | 40 | 40 | 55 | 4 |
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.











