Surf Break

Lat Long: 45.86° S 170.74° E

Otago Peninsula - Papanui Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 25 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Otago Peninsula - Papanui Beach sea temperature is
11.1°C
2.2° 

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 25 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 30 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 29 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 15s period, SSW swell with 6,666 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 26 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 13s period with ESE 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 Saturday (Sep 26) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 5s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Otago Peninsula - Papanui Beach in the next 16 days are 4.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 29) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 5.0m 15s period and expected on Monday (Sep 28) at 10PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Sat 26th Sep)2.5ft (0.7m) 13s
Best Surf 4AM (Wed 30th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 14s
Most Powerful 1AM (Tue 29th Sep)13ft (4.0m) 15s

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


Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 5°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat afternoon, strong winds from the SSW by Sun morning).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

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

Friday
25
Saturday
26
Sunday
27
Monday
28
Tuesday
29
Wednesday
30
Thursday
1
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
1
0
0
0
1
0
2
0
0
2
4
4
4
4
3
2
4
3
3
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
SSW
13
1.4
SSW
13
1.2
SSW
12
0.7
ESE
13
0.7
ESE
13
0.6
ESE
12
0.4
SE
15
2.5
SSW
8
0.6
ESE
13
0.5
ESE
13
3.5
SSW
13
4
SSW
15
4
SSW
14
3.5
SSW
14
3
SSW
14
2.5
SSW
14
2.4
SSW
14
2.2
SSW
13
1.8
SSW
14
1.6
SSW
14
1.6
SSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
824
659
412
184
178
121
83
887
141
99
4401
6666
5662
4683
3980
2803
2158
1585
1161
876
969
Wind (km/h)
10
S
15
NNE
20
N
25
N
10
NNE
5
SW
45
WSW
40
SW
45
W
40
WSW
45
WSW
35
WSW
30
WSW
35
WSW
15
W
5
NE
10
NE
10
SW
10
NNW
5
E
15
N
Wind State
cross-off
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
glassy
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
on
on
off
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
High Tide
1:10PM1.85m
1:28AM1.91m
1:51PM1.90m
2:09AM1.95m
2:33PM1.93m
3:52AM1.97m
3:16PM1.93m
3:38AM1.97m
4:02PM1.89m
4:29AM1.95m
4:52PM1.81m
5:25AM1.91m
5:49PM1.73m
Low Tide
7:51PM0.23m
8:15AM0.21m
8:34PM0.22m
9:00AM0.18m
9:18PM0.21m
9:46AM0.17m
10:05PM0.20m
10:34AM0.18m
10:53PM0.21m
11:25AM0.22m
11:44PM0.22m
12:20PM0.26m
00:41AM0.25m
cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
heavy rain
light rain
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:20
—
—
6:18
—
—
7:16
—
—
6:15
—
—
6:13
—
—
6:11
—
—
6:09
—
—
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
—
6:37
—
—
6:37
—
—
7:38
—
—
6:39
—
—
6:42
—
—
6:43
—
—
6:44
—
 mm
—
—
—
—
—
11
1
—
2
1
—
3
1
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Temp °C
9
9
9
13
16
11
7
8
8
9
9
9
10
12
10
8
12
14
13
14
15
Feels °C
6
6
3
7
13
9
-3
-2
-2
-1
-1
1
3
5
4
6
8
11
10
12
12
  • 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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