Purakaunui Bay surf break

Purakaunui Bay surfForecast / Catlins / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 am Thursday 20 Nov 2025 NZDT
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
12.8° C
(Which is 2.5°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 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Nov 20) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Purakaunui Bay in the next 12 days are 2.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Nov 23) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 9s period and expected on Thursday (Nov 20) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Thu 20th Nov)5ft (1.6m) 14s
Best Surf 7PM (Thu 20th Nov)6ft (1.8m) 15s
Most Powerful 4AM (Sun 23rd Nov)8ft (2.5m) 13s

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

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Warm (max 21°C on Thu morning, min 9°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun afternoon, min 6°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wed
26
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
3
4
2
4
4
4
3
4
3
2
3
3
2
4
3
1
3
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.7
SW
1.6
SW
1.7
SW
1.8
SW
1.8
SW
1.8
SW
2
SW
2.1
SW
2.1
SW
2
SW
2.3
SW
3
SW
3
SW
3
SW
2.5
SW
2.3
SW
2
SSW
1.9
SW
1.8
SW
1.5
SW
1.1
SW
Period(s) (?)141415141414161413131312121212111111111110
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)116396512371336124412551880183615911286164522162375219617351351991894757524281
Wind
(km/h)
5
NNW
10
N
15
NE
15
NW
20
SW
10
W
10
WNW
10
W
10
ESE
10
WNW
15
W
30
WSW
25
WSW
20
WSW
20
SSW
5
NW
5
SSE
10
ESE
5
NNE
5
NE
20
NE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
glasscross-
off
crossoffcrosscross-
off
offcross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crossoffglasscross-
on
glasscrosscross
High Tide
/ height (m)
3:13AM
1.82
3:28PM
1.75
3:52AM
1.83
4:07PM
1.73
4:31AM
1.81
4:47PM
1.70
5:12AM
1.78
5:28PM
1.66
5:54AM
1.74
6:10PM
1.61
6:38AM
1.69
6:54PM
1.57
7:24AM
1.65
Low Tide
/ height (m)
9:17AM
0.38
9:31PM
0.35
9:59AM
0.41
10:12PM
0.37
10:42AM
0.44
10:55PM
0.41
11:27AM
0.48
11:40PM
0.45
12:14PM
0.52
12:27AM
0.48
1:02PM
0.54
1:15AM
0.49
1:51PM
0.55
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wed
26
Sunrise-5:52--5:52--5:50--5:50--5:50--5:48--5:48-
Sunset--9:00--9:01--9:02--9:04--9:06--9:07--9:08
clear
clear
cloud
light rain
mod rain
light rain
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
---162---------------
Temp. °C12211919101211131311131411121281212101718
Feels °C (?)10181816688101098846669981414
  • 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 12 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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