Paturau River surf break

Paturau River surfForecast / Nelson – West Coast / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 am Thursday 22 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
17.5° 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 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jan 24) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 14s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m and 11s 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 12 days are 4.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jan 24) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 7s period and expected on Thursday (Jan 22) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Sat 24th Jan)10ft (3.0m) 9s
Best Surf 7AM (Sat 24th Jan)10ft (3.0m) 9s
Most Powerful 4PM (Sat 24th Jan)15ft (4.5m) 13s

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

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 48mm), heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSE on Wed night, fresh winds from the W by Fri night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon morning, min 13°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Sun afternoon, calm by Tue afternoon).

Thursday
22
Friday
23
Saturday
24
Sunday
25
Monday
26
Tuesday
27
Wed
28
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
!
0
!
!
0
!
!
0
1
1
2
2
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.3
NNE
0.4
WSW
0.6
W
0.8
W
1.4
NNW
1.9
NW
0.9
WSW
3.5
WNW
4.5
W
3.5
W
3
W
3.5
WSW
3
WSW
2.3
WSW
2.4
WSW
2
WSW
1.5
WSW
0.8
WSW
0.9
WSW
0.7
WSW
0.9
WSW
Period(s) (?)812201812121510131312121111109916141413
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)2215426840455795738925876918428123003179191511211064617315337297207235
Wind
(km/h)
30
ESE
15
WSW
30
WSW
25
WSW
15
W
30
W
35
W
25
WSW
30
WSW
15
SW
15
WSW
35
WSW
10
SSW
15
WSW
30
WSW
20
SW
10
WSW
5
W
10
ENE
10
N
25
W
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
offcrosscrosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
on
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
12:32AM
2.72
12:45PM
2.80
1:09AM
2.67
1:24PM
2.75
1:49AM
2.60
2:06PM
2.66
2:34AM
2.50
2:55PM
2.55
3:25AM
2.40
3:54PM
2.44
4:28AM
2.31
5:04PM
2.36
5:42AM
2.28
6:19PM
2.35
Low Tide
/ height (m)
6:38AM
0.15
7:00PM
0.11
7:15AM
0.15
7:40PM
0.12
7:56AM
0.20
8:25PM
0.17
8:43AM
0.27
9:14PM
0.26
9:38AM
0.37
10:12PM
0.37
10:44AM
0.45
11:21PM
0.45
12:00PM
0.46
Thursday
22
Friday
23
Saturday
24
Sunday
25
Monday
26
Tuesday
27
Wed
28
Sunrise-6:24--6:24--6:26--6:26--6:28--6:30--6:31-
Sunset--8:58--8:57--8:55--8:55--8:54--8:53--8:52
heavy rain
cloud
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
clear
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
Rain (mm)
36---2361--------12---
Temp. °C171819171817141717151716151818161717151919
Feels °C (?)17171514161391111111410111413121516141716
  • 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 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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