Punakaiki surf break

Punakaiki surfForecast / West Coast South Island / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Sunday 14 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 1.9°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 Monday (Dec 15) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 10s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Punakaiki in the next 12 days are 3.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Dec 16) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 8s period and expected on Monday (Dec 15) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Mon 15th Dec)1.5ft (0.5m) 10s
Best Surf 1AM (Tue 16th Dec)11ft (3.5m) 11s
Most Powerful10PM (Tue 16th Dec)11ft (3.5m) 16s

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

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 80mm), heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon morning, min 11°C on Tue night). Mainly strong winds.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 34mm), heaviest during Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, fresh winds from the SW by Fri afternoon).

Sun
14
Monday
15
Tuesday
16
Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
0
0
!
1
0
!
3
1
3
3
1
2
1
0
0
0
0
1
3
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.8
WSW
0.6
WSW
0.6
WSW
0.5
W
3.5
NW
2.3
NW
2.3
W
3.5
W
3
W
2.5
W
2.2
W
1.8
W
1.5
W
1.2
W
1.3
W
2
W
2
W
2.5
W
2.2
W
1.8
W
2
W
Period(s) (?)111114131191616151413131211117899811
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)150901639227589042837526335152927169310706473634333665521174783472941
Wind
(km/h)
5
NW
15
NE
30
NNE
40
NNE
30
N
20
NW
25
W
10
SW
10
SSW
20
SW
10
SSW
5
SW
10
SW
0
ENE
20
N
40
SW
25
SW
25
SW
25
WSW
15
SSW
0
SE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crossoffcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
onglasscross-
off
ononononcross-
on
glass
High Tide
/ height (m)
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
10:50PM
2.43
11:08AM
2.51
11:30PM
2.49
11:47AM
2.56
12:08AM
2.52
12:25PM
2.60
Low Tide
/ height (m)
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
4:41PM
0.53
4:58AM
0.54
5:21PM
0.47
5:38AM
0.49
6:00PM
0.42
6:16AM
0.46
Sun
14
Monday
15
Tuesday
16
Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunrise--5:52--5:52--5:52--5:52--5:52--5:54--5:54
Sunset9:05--9:06--9:06--9:07--9:07--9:07--9:08--
clear
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
heavy rain
mod rain
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
mod rain
heavy rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
Rain (mm)
--2259665-----48125565-
Temp. °C171518181715141214151315151414131212131114
Feels °C (?)1613131211129910109131313116567610
  • 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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