Paturau River surf break

Paturau River surfForecast / Nelson – West Coast / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Tuesday 17 Mar 2026 NZDT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Paturau River surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Paturau River sea temperature is
18.0° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Paturau River this week:

The surf forecast for Paturau River over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Mar 19) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 17s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Paturau River in the next 16 days are 1.3m 16s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Mar 23) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Mar 19) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Thu 19th Mar)4.5ft (1.3m) 10s
Best Surf 1AM (Sun 22nd Mar)4ft (1.2m) 13s
Most Powerful 4PM (Mon 23rd Mar)4.5ft (1.3m) 16s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paturau River over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Thu morning, min 14°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Tue
17
Wednesday
18
Thursday
19
Friday
20
Saturday
21
Sunday
22
Monday
23
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
0
2
2
1
2
2
2
2
2
1
3
3
2
2
2
2
3
2
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.3
WSW
1.1
WSW
0.9
WSW
0.8
WSW
1.3
WSW
1
W
0.8
WSW
1
WSW
1
WSW
1
WSW
1
WSW
1.1
WSW
1.1
WSW
1.2
WSW
1.2
WSW
1.1
WSW
1
WSW
1.1
WSW
1.3
WSW
1.2
WSW
1.1
WSW
Period(s) (?)14131313109111211111312121313131314161413
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)649434253209305157163285256230326371365484514396342421773553396
Wind
(km/h)
10
WSW
20
WSW
15
W
20
WSW
5
SE
10
ESE
5
W
5
SSW
10
ENE
5
NNW
0
E
5
NE
10
WNW
10
ESE
10
E
10
E
15
ESE
20
E
15
ENE
5
SE
10
E
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
offcross-
off
cross-
on
glasscross-
off
glassglassglasscross-
on
offcross-
off
cross-
off
offcross-
off
cross-
off
offcross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
9:49PM
2.61
10:02AM
2.78
10:25PM
2.76
10:38AM
2.91
11:01PM
2.85
11:15AM
2.98
11:39PM
2.89
11:55AM
2.98
12:18AM
2.86
12:37PM
2.89
1:01AM
2.76
1:25PM
2.73
1:49AM
2.60
Low Tide
/ height (m)
3:55AM
0.01
4:14PM
-0.14
4:31AM
-0.13
4:50PM
-0.26
5:07AM
-0.21
5:28PM
-0.29
5:45AM
-0.23
6:08PM
-0.24
6:25AM
-0.16
6:51PM
-0.10
7:11AM
-0.02
7:39PM
0.09
8:04AM
0.17
Tue
17
Wednesday
18
Thursday
19
Friday
20
Saturday
21
Sunday
22
Monday
23
Sunrise--7:28--7:30--7:31--7:31--7:33--7:33--7:35
Sunset7:47--7:45--7:44--7:43--7:40--7:39--7:37--
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
---------------------
Temp. °C191619181720201719181617171518181517181518
Feels °C (?)181417161518201717181717171516171313151316
  • 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 Paturau River Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Paturau River provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Paturau River can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Paturau River 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 (Paturau River) 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 Paturau River 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 Nelson - West Coast? If you are looking for accommodation near Paturau River, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Nelson - West Coast, consider staying in Nelson which is 99 km (61 miles) away.

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