Punakaiki surf break

Punakaiki surfForecast / West Coast South Island / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 am Tuesday 30 Dec 2025 NZDT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Punakaiki surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Punakaiki sea temperature is
16.6° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Punakaiki this week:

The surf forecast for Punakaiki over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Dec 31) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 16s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Punakaiki in the next 12 days are 1.4m 10s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jan 02) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 10s period and expected on Thursday (Jan 01) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10AM (Wed 31st Dec)2ft (0.6m) 16s
Best Surf10AM (Wed 31st Dec)2ft (0.6m) 16s
Most Powerful10PM (Fri 2nd Jan)4.5ft (1.4m) 10s

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

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 43mm), heaviest during Thu morning. Warm (max 20°C on Wed afternoon, min 14°C on Tue morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ESE on Tue afternoon, calm by Wed afternoon).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 15°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
30
Wednesday
31
Thursday
01
Friday
02
Saturday
03
Sunday
04
Monday
05
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
2
2
1
0
0
1
1
0
1
2
1
2
2
1
2
1
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.5
WSW
0.6
WSW
0.4
WSW
0.6
W
0.7
W
0.6
W
0.5
W
1.4
W
1.1
W
1.2
W
0.8
WSW
1.4
W
1.3
W
1.2
W
0.4
WSW
0.9
WSW
0.8
WSW
0.6
WSW
0.5
WSW
0.6
W
0.6
WSW
Period(s) (?)991816151313768121010918111115141013
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)4361103186209130841739516720239431424611619115317611677135
Wind
(km/h)
20
SE
25
SE
30
ESE
15
E
5
WNW
15
ESE
20
SW
15
WSW
5
SW
5
SW
20
SW
10
S
5
NW
5
W
5
NE
10
NNE
10
NNW
5
ENE
5
NNW
10
W
5
E
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
glasscross-
off
ononglassoncross-
on
cross-
on
glasscross-
on
glasscross-
off
crossoffglasscross-
on
cross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
7:51PM
2.48
8:25AM
2.50
8:57PM
2.58
9:27AM
2.64
9:59PM
2.69
10:24AM
2.78
10:56PM
2.79
11:18AM
2.90
11:49PM
2.85
12:09PM
2.97
12:38AM
2.87
12:58PM
2.99
1:26AM
2.83
Low Tide
/ height (m)
1:33PM
0.52
2:07AM
0.45
2:39PM
0.41
3:11AM
0.37
3:42PM
0.27
4:10AM
0.28
4:40PM
0.14
5:05AM
0.19
5:35PM
0.03
5:57AM
0.12
6:26PM
-0.02
6:46AM
0.09
7:15PM
-0.02
Tuesday
30
Wednesday
31
Thursday
01
Friday
02
Saturday
03
Sunday
04
Monday
05
Sunrise5:58--6:00--6:01--6:01--6:03--6:03--6:05--
Sunset-9:13--9:13--9:13--9:13--9:13--9:13--9:13-
mod rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
heavy rain
heavy rain
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
Rain (mm)
61---161541---12-21----
Temp. °C141715182018161515161716161716171716171715
Feels °C (?)9109182017141315151414161717161616161615
  • 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 Punakaiki Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Punakaiki provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 12 days. A general guide to surfing at Punakaiki can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Punakaiki 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 (Punakaiki) 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 Punakaiki 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.

Punakaiki is 186 km (116 miles) from the city of Nelson. If you plan a holiday in West Coast South Island, look for hotels and other accommodation in Nelson. Nelson has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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