Punakaiki surf break

Punakaiki surfForecast / West Coast South Island / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Wednesday 10 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
17.1° C
(Which is 1.6°C warmer than 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 Friday (Dec 12) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Punakaiki in the next 12 days are 4.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Dec 17) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 6s period and expected on Monday (Dec 15) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Fri 12th Dec)5.5ft (1.7m) 9s
Best Surf 4AM (Tue 16th Dec)11ft (3.5m) 10s
Most Powerful 7PM (Wed 17th Dec)15ft (4.5m) 13s

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

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 53mm), heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon morning, min 14°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat afternoon, strong winds from the N by Mon night).

Wed
10
Thursday
11
Friday
12
Saturday
13
Sunday
14
Monday
15
Tuesday
16
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
2
0
0
1
0
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
0
0
1
3
2
2
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.5
W
1.5
W
1.9
W
2
W
1.6
W
1.3
W
1.1
W
1.8
W
1.5
W
1.5
W
1.2
W
1
W
0.8
WSW
0.6
WSW
0.6
WSW
1.1
WNW
3
NW
3
NW
1.6
W
3
W
2.1
W
Period(s) (?)121214131313139101211111111149109171614
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)702647146314409336004215654146153512381508816320218271236147337361809
Wind
(km/h)
15
SW
15
SSW
15
SW
25
SW
25
SW
15
SSW
15
WSW
10
NE
10
N
15
NW
5
SE
5
NW
15
N
15
NE
30
NNE
35
N
35
NNE
10
WSW
15
SW
15
WSW
30
WNW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
oncross-
on
ononcross-
on
cross-
on
onoffcross-
off
crosscross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
onononcross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
4:23AM
2.39
4:46PM
2.46
5:22AM
2.28
5:46PM
2.34
6:22AM
2.22
6:46PM
2.26
7:21AM
2.21
7:43PM
2.23
8:14AM
2.23
8:37PM
2.25
9:03AM
2.29
9:25PM
2.30
9:47AM
2.36
Low Tide
/ height (m)
10:10PM
0.39
10:30AM
0.54
11:07PM
0.52
11:29AM
0.65
12:05AM
0.61
12:30PM
0.72
1:02AM
0.67
1:29PM
0.74
1:57AM
0.69
2:24PM
0.72
2:48AM
0.67
3:14PM
0.67
3:34AM
0.63
Wed
10
Thursday
11
Friday
12
Saturday
13
Sunday
14
Monday
15
Tuesday
16
Sunrise--5:52--5:52--5:52--5:52--5:52--5:52--5:52
Sunset9:01--9:01--9:02--9:04--9:05--9:06--9:06--
clear
part cloud
cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
Rain (mm)
-------------2223215222
Temp. °C191615161315151316161418181619181715151415
Feels °C (?)1715131181011121213141716141412121111109
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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