
Surf Forecasts:
New Brighton Beach surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 19 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 13s period, E swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 19s period, SSE swell with 325 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 13s period with E 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 Sunday (Jul 19) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 16s. 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 0.7m 19s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for New Brighton Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, let’s have a look at what’s on offer. The first week and a half is pretty grim, so we’re looking at an extended flat spell before we get a proper chance.
New Brighton Beach is the only spot in the frame, and it’s a beginner-friendly, inconsistent beach break that’s fairly exposed to the swell. The water is running at 50°F right now, which is about average for the time of year—nothing wild there.
The first real session worth getting wet for lands on Sunday, July 30th. The morning of the 30th sees a clean 3ft swell from the SSE, with a nice 13-second period and light offshore wind from the west. The combined energy hits 313 (moderate), and it’s a genuine standout in this 16-day window—clean waves, light breeze, and the direction is perfect for the break. The afternoon goes a bit marginal with the wind switching onshore, so make the most of the early session.
Friday, July 31st morning is okay, but not a standout. You’ve got 2ft from the SE, 11-second period, and light offshore wind. The energy is moderate (148), but it’s just ordinary conditions—surfable but nothing to write home about.
Everything before that from Sunday, July 19th through to Thursday, July 30th is mostly poor, with a few small windows of clean but tiny surf. The first few days (July 19th and 20th) have tiny waves (1ft to 2ft) with some glassy conditions, but the energy is low and the wave heights are too small for any real fun. After that, it’s a long stretch of poor to zero surf until the 30th.
For beginners, the swell on the 30th is under 5ft, so it’s user-friendly. The long period (13 seconds) means it’ll be a bit more lined up with better shape, but at a beach break like this, it might break a bit too straight—still, the light offshore wind will keep it clean.
No standout for the second week after the 31st—it’s back to tiny, weak, or messy conditions. The 1st of August has a brief moment of 2ft with cross-off wind, but it’s ordinary.
Best bet: get on it early Sunday, July 30th at New Brighton Beach. That’s the only proper highlight in the whole run.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 10°C on Sun morning, min 7°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri afternoon, min 5°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed morning, fresh winds from the N by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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 13 | E 13 | ESE 12 | SSE 19 | SSE 19 | SSE 17 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 11 | E 11 | E 11 | SE 12 | NE 4 | ENE 5 | NNE 4 | NE 5 | NE 8 | ESE 13 | NE 5 | ESE 17 | ESE 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
176 | 142 | 190 | 325 | 312 | 108 | 36 | 32 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 34 | 9 | 26 | 20 | 32 | 17 | 94 | 56 | 77 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | glassy | glassy | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off | on | off | off | on | on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:56PM2.00m | 9:27AM1.89m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:44PM0.10m | 3:15AM0.12m | 3:38PM0.20m | 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 | ||||||||
7:54 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | |
— | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 8 |
Feels °C | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | SSE 19 | SSE 19 | SSE 17 | NE 4 | SSE 13 | SSE 11 | NE 5 | E 11 | E 11 | NE 4 | ENE 5 | E 11 | NE 5 | NE 8 | ENE 6 | ESE 13 | ENE 7 | ESE 15 |
176 | 125 | 77 | 325 | 312 | 108 | 4 | 32 | 12 | 1 | 9 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 2 | 20 | 32 | 4 | 17 | 31 | 77 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 16 | SSE 19 | SSE 18 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | SSE 14 | NE 4 | ESE 11 | E 11 | SE 10 | SE 12 | E 12 | E 12 | S 10 | NE 8 | E 11 | ESE 13 | E 18 | ESE 17 | SSE 12 |
86 | 142 | 133 | 49 | 49 | 46 | 36 | 4 | 12 | 9 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 2 | 17 | 6 | 56 | 30 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 21 | — | ESE 12 | — | — | — | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ENE 4 | SSE 10 | NE 4 | — | SE 11 | SE 11 | S 12 | E 12 | — | SE 8 | S 17 | — | E 11 |
17 | — | 190 | — | — | — | 25 | 24 | 1 | 10 | 1 | — | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | — | 3 | 5 | — | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 6 | — | — | — | — | NE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | NE 2 | NE 4 | N 3 | NNE 4 | NNW 3 | — | NNW 3 | NE 5 | SW 4 | NNW 2 |
106 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 34 | 5 | 26 | 4 | — | 9 | 94 | 57 | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 20 | 0 | 4 | 20 | 20 | 43 | 45 | 4 | 47 | 81 | 82 | 154 | 36 | 124 | 154 | 10 |
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.










