Punakaiki surf break

Punakaiki surfForecast / West Coast South Island / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 am Tuesday 07 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
16.9° 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 Tuesday (Apr 07) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 11s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Punakaiki in the next 16 days are 3.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Apr 13) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 9s period and expected on Tuesday (Apr 07) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3PM (Tue 7th Apr)1.5ft (0.4m) 11s
Best Surf 3PM (Sun 12th Apr)5ft (1.5m) 13s
Most Powerful 9AM (Mon 13th Apr)11ft (3.5m) 11s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 23mm), heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 20°C on Tue morning, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 44mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat morning, min 13°C on Fri morning). Winds increasing (calm on Fri afternoon, fresh winds from the SW by Sun night).

Tuesday
07
Wednesday
08
Thursday
09
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
0
2
2
1
0
2
2
2
1
1
2
2
3
0
0
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.5
WSW
0.4
WSW
0.5
WSW
0.6
WSW
0.5
WSW
1.4
WNW
1.2
WNW
1.2
WNW
0.9
W
1.4
W
1.3
W
1
W
0.7
W
0.4
WSW
0.7
W
1.2
W
1.5
W
1.7
W
3.5
W
2.5
W
1.3
W
Period(s) (?)1211141313988811111091313121312111013
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)77501161419828818317498502375190785515839372379225671352591
Wind
(km/h)
15
E
5
NE
5
ENE
10
N
25
NNE
15
N
10
NNE
10
WSW
15
S
5
SSE
5
SW
5
ESE
5
E
5
WSW
10
E
10
ESE
10
E
25
SSW
25
WSW
20
W
25
WSW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
offglassglasscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
oncross-
on
crossglassglassglassglassoffcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
oncross-
on
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
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)
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
Tuesday
07
Wednesday
08
Thursday
09
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Sunrise6:56--6:56--6:58--7:00--7:01--7:01--7:03--
Sunset-6:15--6:14--6:13--6:10--6:08--6:07--6:06-
cloud
light rain
mod rain
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
heavy rain
heavy rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
Rain (mm)
-19-1921-------17225157
Temp. °C201816171717171714161613181816151516141412
Feels °C (?)1818141413151617121515121616141415159117
  • 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 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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