Purakaunui Bay surf break

Purakaunui Bay surfForecast / Catlins / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 am Friday 20 Feb 2026 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
14.2° C
(Which is 1.4°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 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Feb 20) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 12s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 8s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Purakaunui Bay in the next 12 days are 3.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Feb 22) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Feb 22) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4PM (Fri 20th Feb)11ft (3.5m) 8s
Best Surf 4PM (Fri 20th Feb)11ft (3.5m) 8s
Most Powerful 1PM (Sun 22nd Feb)11ft (3.5m) 14s

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

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Moderate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 9°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Fri afternoon, light winds from the NNW by Sat morning).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon afternoon, min 9°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
20
Saturday
21
Sunday
22
Monday
23
Tuesday
24
Wednesday
25
Thursday
26
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
!
!
4
3
4
!
2
4
3
0
1
1
1
4
4
3
4
3
2
3
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1
SW
3.5
WSW
3.5
SW
2.5
SW
2.3
SW
1.8
SW
4
WSW
3
SW
3
SW
1.7
SW
1.5
SW
0.8
SW
1.7
WSW
0.9
SSW
1.3
SSW
2.2
SW
1.8
SW
1.8
SW
1.8
SW
2
SW
2.2
SW
Period(s) (?)14881615158141312121161816161514131413
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)38712071300335324041326223634882458805593147209491875229514321363119714851693
Wind
(km/h)
35
W
40
WSW
30
W
10
NW
15
NNE
15
WNW
30
WSW
25
WSW
15
W
5
N
20
NE
20
WSW
20
WSW
20
SSW
10
NNE
5
N
10
SSE
0
ENE
10
NNW
20
SW
10
SSW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offcross-
off
offcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
glasscrosscross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
onglasscross-
off
crosscross
High Tide
/ height (m)
5:29PM
1.91
5:54AM
1.90
6:15PM
1.89
6:41AM
1.84
7:06PM
1.85
7:33AM
1.77
8:06PM
1.81
8:34AM
1.71
9:14PM
1.78
9:44AM
1.69
10:28PM
1.79
10:57AM
1.71
11:40PM
1.85
Low Tide
/ height (m)
11:24AM
0.20
11:45PM
0.16
12:09PM
0.23
12:35AM
0.22
12:59PM
0.27
1:31AM
0.30
1:57PM
0.32
2:34AM
0.38
3:01PM
0.36
3:42AM
0.42
4:09PM
0.35
4:51AM
0.41
5:15PM
0.31
Friday
20
Saturday
21
Sunday
22
Monday
23
Tuesday
24
Wednesday
25
Thursday
26
Sunrise7:01--7:03--7:03--7:05--7:07--7:09--7:09--
Sunset-8:47--8:45--8:44--8:42--8:40--8:38--8:37-
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
Rain (mm)
1311-812---5------21-
Temp. °C131211151713131312151714151411141411131110
Feels °C (?)544121367881113141010101212101177
  • 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 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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