Paturau River Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.62° S 172.48° E

Paturau River Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 18 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Paturau River sea temperature is
13.8°C
0.7° 

Paturau River surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Paturau River surf forecast from 18 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 18 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, WSW swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 20 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 16s period, WSW swell with 8,533 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 18 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period with WSW swell.

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 Friday (Sep 18) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 7s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Paturau River in the next 16 days are 4.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 20) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 23) at 6PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Fri 18th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 15s
Best Surf 6PM (Fri 18th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 15s
Most Powerful 9PM (Sun 20th Sep)13ft (4.0m) 16s

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


Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri afternoon, min 8°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSW on Fri night, strong winds from the WSW by Sat night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Mon morning, min 6°C on Wed afternoon). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Mon morning, calm by Wed night).

Friday
18
Saturday
19
Sunday
20
Monday
21
Tuesday
22
Wednesday
23
Thursday
24
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
!
!
0
0
0
0
!
!
!
0
0
!
0
!
!
!
!
!
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.9
WSW
16
3
WSW
15
2.5
WSW
15
3
WSW
15
3
WSW
15
3.5
W
15
5
WSW
12
4.5
WSW
14
4
WSW
16
3
WSW
16
3
WSW
15
2.1
W
14
2.5
WSW
14
3.5
WSW
8
3
WSW
15
2.5
WSW
15
3
WSW
16
3
WSW
16
2.5
WSW
15
2.4
WSW
15
1.7
WSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1776
3718
2786
3452
3522
5674
6720
8323
7557
5081
4100
1832
2591
1529
3960
3135
4400
3712
2877
2394
1143
Wind (km/h)
20
SW
30
WSW
15
SSW
30
WSW
30
W
40
WSW
45
SW
30
SW
20
SSW
35
WSW
35
WSW
20
WSW
30
WSW
35
SW
30
WSW
20
SW
15
SSW
5
S
10
WSW
25
WSW
30
SW
Wind State
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross
High Tide
2:05PM2.05m
2:51AM1.97m
3:15PM1.93m
4:04AM1.90m
4:35PM1.91m
5:15AM1.93m
5:48PM2.00m
6:18AM2.04m
6:46PM2.15m
7:10AM2.20m
7:31PM2.34m
7:54AM2.37m
8:10PM2.53m
Low Tide
8:28PM0.67m
8:57AM0.75m
9:43PM0.77m
10:15AM0.81m
11:01PM0.78m
11:33AM0.76m
00:08AM0.67m
12:35PM0.62m
1:02AM0.50m
1:24PM0.44m
1:45AM0.31m
2:03PM0.26m
2:22AM0.12m
part cloud
clear
clear
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:26
6:24
6:22
6:22
6:20
6:18
6:16
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:22
6:22
6:23
6:24
6:25
6:27
6:28
 mm
1
2
1
1
7
2
Temp °C
14
15
10
13
14
13
11
11
8
13
13
13
13
13
10
11
10
7
12
12
9
Feels °C
8
8
6
7
9
5
3
4
2
5
5
10
5
5
3
4
6
5
6
5
2
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
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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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