Paturau River surf break

Paturau River surfForecast / Nelson – West Coast / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 am Friday 16 Jan 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
17.9° 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 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Jan 16) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Paturau River in the next 12 days are 2.1m 20s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jan 22) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Jan 18) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10AM (Fri 16th Jan)3.5ft (1.0m) 14s
Best Surf 7PM (Thu 22nd Jan)7ft (2.1m) 20s
Most Powerful 7PM (Thu 22nd Jan)7ft (2.1m) 20s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Paturau River over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri night, fresh winds from the ESE by Sun morning).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue afternoon, min 11°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds.

Friday
16
Saturday
17
Sunday
18
Monday
19
Tuesday
20
Wednesday
21
Thursday
22
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
2
0
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
4
!
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1
WSW
1
WSW
1
WSW
0.9
WSW
1
WSW
0.8
WSW
0.7
WSW
0.6
WSW
0.6
WSW
0.6
WSW
0.6
WSW
0.6
WSW
0.7
WSW
0.7
WSW
0.6
WSW
0.8
WSW
0.7
WSW
0.7
WSW
0.4
W
1.6
WSW
2.5
WSW
Period(s) (?)14131312121211111112111112131213121221207
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)35236834622626017111184879085851191451051891311251441883708
Wind
(km/h)
10
ESE
15
W
5
SW
20
E
25
E
30
ESE
30
ESE
30
E
30
ESE
30
ESE
25
E
25
ESE
30
ESE
25
E
25
ESE
25
E
20
E
15
ESE
25
E
20
ESE
25
SE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
on
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offoffcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offoff
High Tide
/ height (m)
9:20PM
2.46
9:42AM
2.53
10:02PM
2.56
10:21AM
2.64
10:42PM
2.65
10:58AM
2.73
11:19PM
2.70
11:33AM
2.79
11:55PM
2.73
12:09PM
2.82
12:32AM
2.72
12:45PM
2.80
1:09AM
2.67
Low Tide
/ height (m)
3:11PM
0.62
3:35AM
0.57
3:52PM
0.51
4:15AM
0.46
4:31PM
0.40
4:51AM
0.35
5:08PM
0.30
5:27AM
0.26
5:44PM
0.20
6:02AM
0.19
6:21PM
0.14
6:38AM
0.15
7:00PM
0.11
Friday
16
Saturday
17
Sunday
18
Monday
19
Tuesday
20
Wednesday
21
Thursday
22
Sunrise6:16--6:18--6:18--6:20--6:20--6:22--6:24--
Sunset-9:00--9:00--9:00--8:59--8:59--8:58--8:58-
light rain
thunderstorm
rain showers
clear
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
heavy rain
Rain (mm)
322-2---------------20
Temp. °C161716171714171713181814181915181916192117
Feels °C (?)151615131391111611129121410131514151715
  • 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 12 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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