Surf Forecasts:
New Brighton Beach surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 17s period, SE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 18s period, ESE swell with 697 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 3AM (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 Monday (Aug 24) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 14s. 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 1.1m 18s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 17s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for New Brighton Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer over the next couple of weeks. Truth be told, it’s a pretty grim stretch for New Brighton Beach. There’s no real swell to get excited about, and the conditions are mostly ordinary. We’re looking at a long, quiet run with only a few fleeting moments that might tempt you for a paddle.
The standout—if you can call it that—is Monday morning the 24th of August. We’ve got a tiny 1ft swell from the SSE with a nice long period of 14 seconds, which at least means some clean lines. The wind is glassy from the WNW, so the surface will be like a mirror. Combined wave energy is weak at 59, so don’t expect much push, but for a beginner or someone just wanting to get wet, it’s about the best we’ll see. The water’s sitting around 49°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year.
The only other session that’s worth a mention is Wednesday afternoon the 26th of August. Another glassy moment, this time with a 1ft swell from the ENE at 13 seconds. Wind is light from the east at 3 mph, so it’ll be clean. Combined energy is 92, still weak, but the glassy conditions make it rideable. Expect very ordinary waves, but at least you won’t be fighting the wind.
After that, it’s mostly poor surf conditions with onshore or cross-off winds and tiny swell. There’s a bit of a spike on Thursday morning the 27th with a 4ft swell from the ESE and a very long period of 18 seconds—combined energy hits 712, which is moderate—but the wind is a moderate cross-onshore at 16 mph, making it choppy and messy. Not a good call for paddle surfing. The same goes for Friday morning the 28th: 3ft from the NE at 8 seconds, but again cross-shore wind and chop. Those days might be more interesting for kite surfing than a traditional surf.
For the rest of the window, from the 29th of August right through to the 7th of September, it’s all poor surf conditions. Swell heights barely reach 2ft, periods are short or mid-range, and winds are mostly onshore or cross-off. There’s no consistency here, and no real standouts. It’s a dry spell, but that’s not unusual for this area. Forecasts can change, so keep an eye out, but for now, I’d say give the board a rest.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 7°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NW on Sun morning, calm by Sun night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 9°C on Wed morning). Winds increasing (calm on Wed night, fresh winds from the ENE by Thu afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NE 9 | NE 9 | SSE 14 | SSE 14 | SSE 14 | N 4 | N 4 | E 14 | SSE 17 | ESE 14 | ENE 13 | SE 17 | ESE 18 | SSE 17 | E 6 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | E 6 | ENE 7 | SE 13 | ENE 6 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 64 | 23 | 18 | 41 | 37 | 18 | 34 | 15 | 29 | 36 | 58 | 287 | 697 | 113 | 50 | 138 | 84 | 21 | 18 | 42 | 43 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | on | glassy | off | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:18PM1.77m | 1:36AM1.66m | 2:03PM1.79m | 2:20AM1.68m | 2:45PM1.82m | 3:01AM1.70m | 3:26PM1.84m | 3:42AM1.72m | 4:06PM1.86m | 4:22AM1.75m | 4:46PM1.87m | 5:03AM1.77m | 5:26PM1.87m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:21PM0.48m | 7:34AM0.42m | 8:07PM0.46m | 8:18AM0.39m | 8:51PM0.43m | 9:02AM0.35m | 9:34PM0.38m | 9:45AM0.31m | 10:17PM0.34m | 10:30AM0.28m | 11:00PM0.31m | 11:15AM0.26m | 11:44PM0.28m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | |  | | |  | |  | |  | | | | | | | | | |
 | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — |
 | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 13 | 9 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 11 | 10 | 14 | 13 | 9 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
Feels °C | 7 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 12 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 7 | 7 | 12 | 12 | 3 | 5 | 9 | 13 | 15 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 3 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 9 | NE 9 | SSE 11 | SSE 14 | SSE 14 | SSE 12 | E 14 | E 14 | N 4 | E 13 | S 16 | S 16 | S 17 | SSE 17 | E 6 | SSE 12 | ENE 8 | E 6 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | ENE 6 |
| kJ | 64 | 23 | 11 | 41 | 37 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 2 | 14 | 21 | 539 | 1907 | 113 | 50 | 29 | 84 | 21 | 9 | 9 | 43 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 14 | E 14 | SSE 14 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 | S 16 | S 17 | SSE 17 | S 15 | S 15 | S 11 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | SSE 16 | E 16 | SSE 12 | SSE 10 | ESE 13 | SE 13 | ESE 12 |
| kJ | 14 | 15 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 5 | 6 | 29 | 4 | 112 | 227 | 15 | 13 | 48 | 5 | 13 | 11 | 17 | 42 | 15 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | S 9 | E 14 | NE 4 | NE 4 | S 16 | SE 10 | S 9 | E 14 | ESE 14 | ESE 13 | NNE 4 | — | — | SE 12 | ESE 6 | SE 15 | — | S 21 | S 20 | SE 9 |
| kJ | 3 | 2 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 15 | 36 | 34 | 4 | — | — | 5 | 13 | 8 | — | 9 | 30 | 3 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 4 | WNW 4 | — | NNW 3 | N 3 | N 4 | N 4 | NNW 4 | SE 3 | E 4 | ENE 13 | SE 17 | ESE 18 | E 6 | NNE 4 | NE 8 | SW 3 | — | ENE 7 | ENE 4 | — |
| kJ | 39 | 17 | — | 2 | 5 | 18 | 34 | 16 | 2 | 2 | 58 | 287 | 697 | 80 | 17 | 138 | 2 | — | 18 | 17 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 158 | 177 | 4 | 0 | 9 | 43 | 49 | 49 | 4 | 43 | 0 | 0 | 135 | 158 | 47 | 49 | 0 | 43 | 4 | 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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