
Surf Forecasts:
New Brighton Beach surf forecast from 14 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 18 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 13s period, ESE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 21 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 19s period, SSE swell with 122 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 18 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 13s 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 Friday (Sep 18) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 6s. 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 0.4m 19s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 21) 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 1.3m 6s period and expected on Friday (Sep 18) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Mon 21st Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for New Brighton Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it. The outlook for New Brighton Beach over the next sixteen days is pretty flat. There’s nothing that really gets the heart racing, but there are a few windows where you might be able to scratch an itch if you’re desperate. The water is sitting at 51°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least you won’t freeze waiting for a set that might not come.
We start off on Monday the 14th with small, weak swell from the southeast at 1ft and a 10-second period. The combined energy is only 29, so it’s barely a ripple. Cloudy with onshore wind, so it’s a solid skip. Tuesday the 15th looks the same – tiny waves in the morning with glassy conditions, 1.0ft from the southeast, but still just 18 on the energy scale. It’s pretty but not surfable. Afternoon picks up a bit of period (13 seconds) from the east-northeast, but only 0.7ft, so still a no-go.
Wednesday the 16th morning brings a brief moment of hope: 3ft from the north with a 4-second period and glassy conditions. The period is way too short though, so the waves will be crumbly and weak. Combined energy is only 26. It’s basically windswell with no push. Thursday the 17th gives us offshore winds from the southwest at 12 mph, but only 1.0ft of swell. Clean conditions, but nothing to ride.
Friday the 18th morning is the first real glimmer. We’ve got 2ft from the east with a 13-second period, giving us a combined energy of 90. It’s clean with a light cross-offshore breeze. The waves are surfable, but it’s ordinary. You could get a few small, lined-up runners if you’re patient. The afternoon gets ruined by onshore wind.
Saturday the 19th afternoon pushes the swell up to 3ft from the north-northeast with a 5-second period, combined energy hits 108. That’s moderate energy, but the period is terrible, and the wind is cross-onshore. It’s messy. Sunday the 20th afternoon gives us glassy conditions and 2ft from the east at 11 seconds, energy at 58. Surfable but very ordinary.
Monday the 21st morning is all glass, calm wind, with a 19-second period from the south-southeast, but only 1.0ft. That long period will push a little more shape into the wave, but it’s tiny. Energy is 83. Not worth the drive. The afternoon jumps to 4ft from the north-northwest, but period drops to 4 seconds, so it’s bumpy and weak.
The following week, from the 22nd through the 26th, is a write-off. Tiny waves in the 0.3ft to 1ft range, poor wind, and very low energy. Then on Sunday the 27th morning, we get a solid increase: 2ft from the east with a 13-second period and clean offshore wind. The combined energy jumps to 132. That’s the real standout of the entire outlook – decent energy, clean surf, and a proper groundswell period. This is the best bet for sure, but it’s still modest in size. The east direction won’t be perfect for the break since the optimum swell direction is east-northeast, but it’s close enough to work.
Monday the 28th morning is glassy again, 1ft from the east-southeast at 12 seconds, energy 80. Surfable, but not exciting. Tuesday the 29th morning gives another pulse of energy with 1ft from the south-southeast at 16 seconds, energy hitting 136. That’s a very long period groundswell, and clean cross-offshore wind. You’ll get some nice, long lines if you’re sitting at a point break or reef, but at a beach break it could be a bit too straight. Still, it’s the other standout moment – small but clean.
Overall, it’s a flat stretch with two brief windows that might deliver a few fun waves: Sunday morning the 27th and Tuesday morning the 29th. If you’re a beginner, the size stays well under 5ft so it’s safe, but there’s hardly any swell most days. Crowds are possible at New Brighton Beach when it’s inconsistent like this – locals get territorial when it’s small. Keep your expectations low and your wetsuit warm.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed afternoon, min 6°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Very mild (max 11°C on Sat morning, min 3°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | ||||||||||||||
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 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ENE 13 | NE 6 | N 4 | NNE 3 | NE 9 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | E 14 | E 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | E 12 | NNE 5 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | E 11 | SSE 19 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
26 | 23 | 12 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 6 | 13 | 24 | 20 | 17 | 86 | 83 | 87 | 72 | 44 | 41 | 39 | 58 | 120 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | on | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on |
High Tide | 7:01PM1.90m | 7:29AM1.90m | 7:52PM1.82m | 8:21AM1.85m | 8:45PM1.75m | 9:15AM1.80m | 9:39PM1.69m | 10:09AM1.77m | 10:33PM1.65m | 11:03AM1.74m | 11:26PM1.63m | 11:54AM1.74m | 00:15AM1.63m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:20AM0.20m | 1:49PM0.27m | 2:10AM0.27m | 2:40PM0.34m | 2:59AM0.34m | 3:31PM0.40m | 3:48AM0.40m | 4:21PM0.45m | 4:37AM0.44m | 5:10PM0.48m | 5:25AM0.46m | 5:58PM0.49m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | |
6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:17 | — | — | 6:19 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:21 | — | — | 6:22 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
Feels °C | 9 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 4 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SSE 8 | NE 6 | SE 10 | ENE 5 | NE 9 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | E 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | E 12 | NE 4 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | S 8 | SSE 19 |
26 | 23 | 12 | 7 | 19 | 4 | 3 | 13 | 24 | 20 | 17 | 86 | 83 | 87 | 72 | 11 | 41 | 39 | 1 | 120 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 12 | — | ENE 4 | E 11 | SE 8 | E 13 | SE 10 | N 3 | ENE 6 | ENE 8 | SE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 4 | NE 3 | S 15 | ESE 11 | ENE 5 | SE 7 | S 15 | E 11 |
3 | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 42 | 2 | 8 | 4 | 20 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | E 11 | E 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 7 | E 7 | ENE 5 | NE 8 | S 15 | E 14 | NE 6 | S 16 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 10 | N 3 | S 16 | S 15 | E 9 |
5 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 39 | 16 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 11 | 1 | 5 | 67 | 6 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNE 3 | NNE 4 | ENE 13 | — | N 4 | NNE 3 | — | — | SSE 2 | — | SSW 6 | NE 2 | — | — | NNE 5 | — | NE 4 | E 11 | NE 4 |
— | 1 | 3 | 17 | — | 17 | 6 | — | — | 1 | — | 143 | 1 | — | — | 44 | — | 1 | 58 | 9 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 43 | 20 | 43 | 43 | 33 | 33 | 43 | 33 | 33 | 5 | 20 | 0 | 40 | 0 | 33 | 31 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 40 |
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.










