Otago Peninsula - Papanui Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 45.86° S 170.74° E

Otago Peninsula - Papanui Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 04 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Otago Peninsula - Papanui Beach sea temperature is
10.7°C
2.0° 

Otago Peninsula - Papanui Beach surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Otago Peninsula - Papanui Beach surf forecast from 4 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 6 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 16s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 11 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 18s period, SSW swell with 5,885 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 6 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 16s period with SSW swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Otago Peninsula - Papanui Beach this week:

The surf forecast for Otago Peninsula - Papanui Beach over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 5s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Otago Peninsula - Papanui Beach in the next 16 days are 3.0m 18s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 11) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 4.0m 16s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 05) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Sun 6th Sep)8ft (2.5m) 16s
Best Surf 3AM (Sun 6th Sep)8ft (2.5m) 16s
Most Powerful12PM (Fri 11th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 18s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Otago Peninsula - Papanui Beach over the next 16 days.


Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat afternoon, min 7°C on Sun afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Fri afternoon, calm by Sun night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 12°C on Wed night, min 6°C on Tue night). Mainly strong winds.

Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
2
0
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
2
2
2
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
NE
6
1
SSW
14
0.6
NE
9
0.3
NE
7
0.5
NE
5
0.4
NE
5
2.1
SSW
16
1.3
SSW
16
1.3
SSW
15
1.5
SSW
14
1.2
SSW
11
1.6
NE
6
0.8
SSW
9
1
ENE
9
1.2
ENE
9
1
E
8
0.4
SSW
18
0.6
SSW
16
1.7
SSW
14
1.4
SSW
20
2.5
SSW
19
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
69
437
54
8
11
7
2343
870
656
917
319
154
113
154
213
137
104
201
1210
1394
4642
Wind (km/h)
45
WSW
45
WSW
40
W
20
NNW
20
W
30
SW
25
NNE
10
ESE
5
NE
30
ENE
40
NE
25
N
20
WSW
25
SSW
20
WSW
25
N
35
NNE
15
W
40
WSW
40
WSW
30
W
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
off
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
on
cross-on
off
off
cross-off
cross-on
on
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
High Tide
8:08PM1.65m
8:43AM1.79m
9:17PM1.66m
9:49AM1.81m
10:24PM1.73m
10:53AM1.86m
11:25PM1.82m
11:52AM1.93m
00:19AM1.93m
12:47PM2.00m
1:10AM2.01m
1:37PM2.05m
1:58AM2.05m
Low Tide
2:29PM0.36m
2:56AM0.32m
3:39PM0.35m
4:05AM0.29m
4:49PM0.30m
5:12AM0.24m
5:52PM0.22m
6:14AM0.16m
6:48PM0.14m
7:11AM0.08m
7:39PM0.09m
8:03AM0.03m
8:27PM0.06m
rain showers
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
rain showers
cloud
light rain
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:01
7:00
6:58
6:56
6:54
6:52
6:50
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:10
6:12
6:13
6:14
6:15
6:16
6:17
 mm
2
1
2
1
5
Temp °C
11
10
10
13
14
12
9
9
8
8
9
9
10
9
8
9
10
12
8
8
7
Feels °C
3
0
4
10
9
4
4
6
6
1
0
2
3
3
1
2
3
7
-1
-2
-1
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the Otago Peninsula - Papanui Beach Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Otago Peninsula - Papanui Beach provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Otago Peninsula - Papanui Beach can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Otago Peninsula - Papanui 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 (Otago Peninsula - Papanui 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 Otago Peninsula - Papanui 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 Otago? If you are looking for accommodation near Otago Peninsula - Papanui Beach, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Otago, consider staying in Dunedin which is 19 km (12 miles) away.

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