Purakaunui Bay surf break

Purakaunui Bay surfForecast / Catlins / 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
Purakaunui Bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Purakaunui Bay sea temperature is
14.0° C
(Which is 2.4°C warmer than normal for this time of year)

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Purakaunui Bay this week:

The surf forecast for Purakaunui Bay over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Apr 08) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Purakaunui Bay in the next 16 days are 2.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Apr 13) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 7s period and expected on Saturday (Apr 11) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Wed 8th Apr)7.5ft (2.3m) 9s
Best Surf12AM (Thu 9th Apr)6ft (1.9m) 10s
Most Powerful 6PM (Mon 13th Apr)8ft (2.5m) 13s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu morning, min 9°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NE on Tue morning, calm by Wed afternoon).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat afternoon, min 10°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
07
Wednesday
08
Thursday
09
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
1
3
3
4
3
2
2
3
0
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
3
4
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.4
SW
3
ENE
2.5
ENE
2.3
ENE
2
ENE
1.9
ENE
1.6
ENE
1.4
SW
1.3
SW
1.2
SW
1.1
SW
1
SW
1.3
ENE
1.7
ENE
1.5
ENE
0.9
WSW
1.6
ENE
1.4
ENE
1.5
SW
2.5
SW
2
ENE
Period(s) (?)14889101010151413131288813910141314
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)787903100390171268454479564850343730020232726628641538580122751548
Wind
(km/h)
35
NE
35
NE
25
NE
10
NNE
5
E
15
NW
10
NNW
25
W
20
W
5
N
20
ENE
15
NNE
15
N
15
NE
10
N
10
N
15
WSW
10
S
20
SW
20
W
15
WSW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crosscrosscrosscross-
off
glassoffoffcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
6:21PM
1.64
6:42AM
1.53
7:16PM
1.58
7:40AM
1.48
8:16PM
1.55
8:41AM
1.46
9:16PM
1.56
9:39AM
1.49
10:11PM
1.60
10:30AM
1.55
Low Tide
/ height (m)
12:09PM
0.52
12:45AM
0.60
1:04PM
0.58
1:43AM
0.64
2:02PM
0.61
2:41AM
0.64
2:59PM
0.59
3:35AM
0.60
3:51PM
0.53
4:24AM
0.54
Tuesday
07
Wednesday
08
Thursday
09
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Sunrise7:07--7:07--7:09--7:11--7:11--7:13--7:15--
Sunset-6:19--6:16--6:15--6:13--6:10--6:09--6:07-
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
cloud
light rain
mod rain
Rain (mm)
-----------------4-37
Temp. °C14151416171618161212121116181313121112119
Feels °C (?)899151713141179881215101099775
  • 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 Purakaunui Bay Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Purakaunui Bay provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Purakaunui Bay can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Purakaunui Bay 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 (Purakaunui Bay) 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 Purakaunui Bay 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.

Purakaunui Bay is 99 km (61 miles) from the city of Invercargill. If you plan a holiday in Catlins, look for hotels and other accommodation in Invercargill. Invercargill has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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