
Surf Forecasts:
Otago Peninsula - Papanui Beach surf forecast from 16 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 19s period, SSW swell with 8,636 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 17 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 14s 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 Friday (Jul 17) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 16s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Otago Peninsula - Papanui Beach in the next 16 days are 3.5m 19s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.2m 11s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Fri 17th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Otago Peninsula - Papanui Beach over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 13°C on Sat afternoon, min 8°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Sun night. Very mild (max 13°C on Tue afternoon, min 7°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | ESE 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
3316 | 2692 | 2222 | 5485 | 7601 | 5248 | 3705 | 2817 | 2702 | 2480 | 5529 | 3840 | 1980 | 1042 | 680 | 446 | 12 | 396 | 265 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | off | glassy | glassy | off | on | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on |
High Tide | 4:22AM2.03m | 4:51PM2.07m | 5:15AM2.00m | 5:42PM2.01m | 6:10AM1.95m | 6:34PM1.93m | 7:06AM1.89m | 7:28PM1.84m | 8:02AM1.83m | 8:25PM1.77m | 8:57AM1.78m | 9:21PM1.71m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:52PM0.08m | 11:18AM-0.01m | 11:43PM0.12m | 12:09PM0.05m | 00:34AM0.17m | 12:59PM0.14m | 1:24AM0.22m | 1:49PM0.24m | 2:15AM0.28m | 2:39PM0.34m | 3:06AM0.33m | 3:31PM0.40m | |||||||
— | 8:11 | — | — | 8:11 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:08 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 9 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Feels °C | 3 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | ESE 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 |
3316 | 2692 | 2222 | 5485 | 7601 | 5248 | 3705 | 2817 | 2702 | 2480 | 5529 | 3840 | 1980 | 1042 | 680 | 446 | 12 | 396 | 265 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 16 | ESE 16 | ESE 16 | ESE 15 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | NE 4 | NE 4 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 5 |
341 | 575 | 733 | 826 | 752 | 569 | 447 | 331 | 265 | 175 | 129 | 82 | 79 | 45 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 19 | E 19 | ESE 15 | — | S 23 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | — | ESE 11 | E 11 |
— | 7 | 7 | 890 | — | 1039 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 25 | 24 | — | 11 | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 3 | NNE 4 | WNW 3 | SW 11 | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 10 | 3 | 794 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 7 | 0 | 4 | 20 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 4 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Otago | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.










