Punakaiki surf break

Punakaiki surfForecast / West Coast South Island / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Thursday 11 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
17.6° C
(Which is 2.0°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 Saturday (Dec 13) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m 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 2.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Dec 17) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 7s period and expected on Monday (Dec 15) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Sat 13th Dec)5ft (1.6m) 9s
Best Surf 1AM (Thu 18th Dec)7ft (2.2m) 14s
Most Powerful 1AM (Wed 17th Dec)8ft (2.5m) 16s

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 18°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 57mm), heaviest during Tue morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon morning, min 12°C on Tue night). Mainly strong winds.

Thu
11
Friday
12
Saturday
13
Sunday
14
Monday
15
Tuesday
16
Wednesday
17
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
0
3
3
2
2
0
0
1
0
0
2
1
3
0
3
2
4
3
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.9
W
1.9
WSW
1.3
W
1.1
W
1.6
W
1.1
W
1.4
W
1.1
W
0.9
WSW
0.8
WSW
0.5
W
0.6
WSW
1.3
NNW
2.3
NW
2.5
NW
1.5
W
2.5
W
2.5
W
2.5
W
2.2
W
1.9
W
Period(s) (?)131313139121211111110146129161614141413
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)130313276004214213365372971941534816512814221202122229872803254217881207
Wind
(km/h)
20
WSW
20
SSW
15
SW
20
WSW
5
NE
10
N
10
NNW
5
E
5
NW
10
NW
10
ENE
20
NNE
25
NNE
35
NNE
40
NNE
5
SSW
25
SSW
15
SSE
15
SSE
15
SE
5
W
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
oncross-
on
cross-
on
onglasscross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross-
on
crossoffcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
crosscrosscross-
off
cross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
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
10:09PM
2.36
10:28AM
2.44
Low Tide
/ height (m)
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
3:59PM
0.61
4:18AM
0.59
Thu
11
Friday
12
Saturday
13
Sunday
14
Monday
15
Tuesday
16
Wednesday
17
Sunrise--5:52--5:52--5:52--5:52--5:52--5:52--5:52
Sunset9:01--9:02--9:04--9:05--9:06--9:06--9:07--
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
rain showers
clear
rain showers
mod rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
mod rain
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
Rain (mm)
----------1-11025119----
Temp. °C161315161316171418181619191717151417171417
Feels °C (?)12912131214151417171515151311151113131015
  • 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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