Paturau River surf break

Paturau River surfForecast / Nelson – West Coast / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 pm Tuesday 19 May 2026 NZST
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
15.5° 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 Wednesday (May 20) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 20s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Paturau River in the next 16 days are 1.8m 17s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (May 24) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.1m 7s period and expected on Tuesday (May 26) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Wed 20th May)2.5ft (0.8m) 13s
Best Surf 9AM (Sun 24th May)3.5ft (1.0m) 19s
Most Powerful 3PM (Sun 24th May)6ft (1.8m) 17s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu afternoon, min 9°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon morning, min 10°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
20
Thursday
21
Friday
22
Saturday
23
Sunday
24
Monday
25
Tue
26
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
1
0
0
0
2
2
3
2
1
2
2
4
4
4
3
2
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
WSW
14
0.8
WSW
13
0.7
WSW
13
0.6
WSW
13
1.6
NNW
7
1.5
NNW
7
1.4
W
13
1.4
W
11
1.3
WSW
11
1.5
WSW
12
1.2
WSW
12
1.3
WSW
13
1.1
WSW
13
1
W
19
1.8
WSW
17
1.7
WSW
16
1.3
WSW
14
1.1
WSW
14
0.9
WSW
13
0.7
WSW
12
0.7
WSW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
341
232
181
131
219
250
653
476
392
614
426
543
389
713
1779
1411
678
446
242
129
130
Wind (km/h)
5
SW
5
WSW
5
WNW
15
NNW
20
NNW
25
NW
10
WSW
20
E
10
NE
15
SW
20
WSW
5
WSW
10
SE
15
ESE
15
E
10
SE
5
SW
10
NNW
15
NW
20
W
35
SW
cross
glassy
glassy
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
off
off
cross-off
off
glassy
on
on
cross-on
cross
High Tide
11:40PM2.90m
12:16PM2.79m
00:37AM2.79m
1:17PM2.64m
1:39AM2.66m
2:19PM2.50m
2:43AM2.53m
3:21PM2.38m
3:49AM2.44m
4:24PM2.31m
4:54AM2.40m
5:24PM2.30m
5:52AM2.41m
Low Tide
5:56AM-0.05m
6:24PM0.13m
6:57AM0.10m
7:24PM0.29m
8:01AM0.25m
8:26PM0.42m
9:06AM0.37m
9:31PM0.52m
10:10AM0.46m
10:36PM0.56m
11:11AM0.50m
11:36PM0.56m
12:06PM0.50m
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:33
7:33
7:35
7:35
7:37
7:37
7:39
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:17
5:17
5:16
5:15
5:15
5:15
5:14
1
2
4
1
1
6
2
Temp °C
9
13
14
14
15
16
15
13
13
13
14
14
12
14
14
12
15
15
14
14
13
7
11
13
12
12
13
14
10
11
12
11
13
10
10
11
10
14
13
12
11
6
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
WSW
14
0.8
WSW
13
0.7
WSW
13
0.6
WSW
13
0.4
WSW
12
1
NNE
6
1.6
NNW
7
1.4
W
11
1.3
WSW
11
1.5
WSW
12
1.2
WSW
12
1.3
WSW
13
1.1
WSW
13
1
WSW
12
1.8
WSW
17
1.7
WSW
16
1.3
WSW
14
1.1
WSW
14
1.1
N
6
1
N
6
1.1
N
7
Energy kJ
341
232
181
131
56
78
254
476
392
614
426
543
389
304
1779
1411
678
446
97
84
130
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
W
21
0.1
W
20
0.1
W
20
0.1
W
19
0.2
W
19
0.3
WSW
12
1.4
W
13
0.9
NNW
7
0.8
NW
10
0.9
NNW
9
0.7
WSW
15
0.6
NNW
8
0.4
NNW
11
1
W
19
0.5
N
11
0.7
N
11
0.6
N
10
0.4
N
9
0.9
WSW
13
0.7
WSW
12
0.7
WSW
12
Energy kJ
9
7
8
7
28
27
653
77
133
124
222
57
46
713
63
116
74
25
242
129
125
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
WNW
16
0.3
WNW
16
0.3
WSW
18
0.8
NW
10
0.6
N
7
0.5
W
15
0.8
NNW
9
0.2
NNW
12
0.4
NNW
7
0.5
N
10
0.3
ENE
4
0.2
E
4
0.1
N
13
0.1
N
13
0.1
W
16
Energy kJ
24
50
60
117
33
107
88
14
17
52
3
1
3
3
5
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
NNW
5
1.6
NNW
7
1.5
NNW
7
0.8
E
4
0.7
E
5
0.4
WSW
3
0.6
WSW
4
0.6
E
4
0.9
E
5
0.7
E
4
0.4
E
4
0.8
N
6
1
E
4
Energy kJ
42
219
250
17
25
4
14
10
40
16
4
42
35
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
1
1
2
1
4
3
3
3
3
2
2
4
4
4
3
2
2
2
1
Distance (km)
13
0
0
93
96
96
93
13
0
93
93
20
0
0
0
0
0
93
93
157
103
Best forecast wave conditions in Nelson - West Coast
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
3
3
2
3
4
4
4
3
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
1
2
4
4
4
4
3
4
5
9
6
4
4
4
3
3
3
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
4
5
5
4
4
4
4
5
5
7
5
5
9
6
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
  • 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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