Punakaiki surf break

Punakaiki surfForecast / West Coast South Island / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 pm Sunday 05 Apr 2026 NZST
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
17.0° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Punakaiki this week:

The surf forecast for Punakaiki over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Apr 06) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 13s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Punakaiki in the next 16 days are 1.6m 12s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Apr 13) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 9s period and expected on Tuesday (Apr 07) at 6PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Mon 6th Apr)3.5ft (1.1m) 13s
Best Surf 6PM (Sun 12th Apr)4.5ft (1.4m) 12s
Most Powerful12AM (Mon 13th Apr)5ft (1.6m) 12s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Moderate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Tue afternoon. Warm (max 20°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Tue afternoon). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu morning, min 13°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
06
Tuesday
07
Wednesday
08
Thursday
09
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sun
12
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
2
0
1
1
0
0
0
2
2
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
2
2
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.3
WSW
1.1
WSW
0.9
WSW
0.7
WSW
0.5
WSW
0.3
WSW
0.5
WSW
0.5
WSW
0.5
WSW
1.5
WNW
1.3
WNW
1.1
WNW
0.6
WSW
1
W
1.1
W
1
W
0.8
W
0.4
WSW
0.5
W
1
W
1.3
W
Period(s) (?)1413131212151413138881581110912121211
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)6844442771507750116102982981971451861332791961035176280403
Wind
(km/h)
15
ESE
10
E
0
WSW
15
E
10
ENE
10
ESE
30
NE
20
NNE
20
N
15
NNE
5
N
10
W
5
SE
5
S
10
WSW
5
E
5
SE
5
WNW
5
ENE
5
ENE
10
N
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
off
glasscross-
off
offcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
on
onglassglassglassoffoffcross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
12:51AM
2.59
1:11PM
2.50
1:28AM
2.47
1:49PM
2.35
2:08AM
2.32
2:34PM
2.20
2:56AM
2.19
3:28PM
2.07
3:57AM
2.08
4:38PM
2.00
5:10AM
2.05
5:54PM
2.02
6:22AM
2.13
Low Tide
/ height (m)
7:05AM
0.41
7:21PM
0.52
7:43AM
0.56
8:00PM
0.67
8:26AM
0.71
8:46PM
0.81
9:17AM
0.84
9:42PM
0.93
10:22AM
0.91
10:52PM
0.97
11:35AM
0.90
12:04AM
0.92
Monday
06
Tuesday
07
Wednesday
08
Thursday
09
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sun
12
Sunrise-6:54--6:56--6:56--6:58--7:00--7:01--7:01-
Sunset--6:17--6:15--6:14--6:13--6:10--6:08--6:07
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
mod rain
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
-----67234-----------
Temp. °C151819172016161616161717151616141717151818
Feels °C (?)131718151815121313141716151415141616141617
  • 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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Quick surf report for Punakaiki:

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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 16 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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