Rabbit Island surf break

Rabbit Island surfForecast / Nelson – Tasman Bay / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 pm Thursday 29 Jan 2026 NZDT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Rabbit Island surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Rabbit Island sea temperature is
19.5° C
(Which is 2.1°C warmer than normal for this time of year)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Rabbit Island this week:

The surf forecast for Rabbit Island over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Feb 02) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 5s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 5s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 11s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Rabbit Island in the next 12 days are 1.5m 5s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Feb 02) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Feb 05) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1PM (Mon 2nd Feb)5ft (1.5m) 5s
Best Surf 1PM (Mon 2nd Feb)5ft (1.5m) 5s
Most Powerful 1PM (Mon 2nd Feb)5ft (1.5m) 5s

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

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Thu morning, min 11°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun morning, min 9°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
29
Friday
30
Saturday
31
Sunday
01
Monday
02
Tuesday
03
Wednesday
04
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.1
N
0.1
N
0.1
N
0.1
N
0.1
N
0.1
N
0.1
N
0.9
NW
0.2
N
0.2
N
0.1
N
0.2
N
0.9
NW
1.1
N
0.4
N
0.1
N
0.1
N
0.1
N
0.1
N
0.1
N
0.1
N
Period(s) (?)1818111115111451211131256661514191818
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)662243445111031235919144766
Wind
(km/h)
15
WSW
0
WSW
10
SSW
0
NNE
10
NNE
5
SSW
5
W
5
NE
10
SW
0
WNW
15
NNE
5
SSW
5
ENE
10
SSW
20
SW
5
WSW
15
NNE
5
S
0
WNW
15
NNE
5
SSW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
glassoffglassonoffglassonoffglassonglassglassoffcross-
off
glassonglassglassonglass
High Tide
/ height (m)
7:39PM
3.47
8:52AM
3.55
8:54PM
3.58
9:55AM
3.84
9:59PM
3.75
10:44AM
4.11
10:54PM
3.92
11:25AM
4.28
11:42PM
4.05
12:04PM
4.34
12:25AM
4.11
12:42PM
4.31
1:04AM
4.11
Low Tide
/ height (m)
1:29PM
1.38
1:46AM
1.41
2:38PM
1.22
3:03AM
1.26
3:39PM
1.01
4:07AM
1.06
4:31PM
0.80
4:59AM
0.88
5:16PM
0.65
5:43AM
0.76
5:57PM
0.58
6:21AM
0.71
6:35PM
0.61
Thursday
29
Friday
30
Saturday
31
Sunday
01
Monday
02
Tuesday
03
Wednesday
04
Sunrise6:28--6:28--6:30--6:31--6:33--6:33--6:35--
Sunset-8:51--8:50--8:49--8:47--8:46--8:45--8:45-
part cloud
cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
------------321------
Temp. °C232317192015212216191914151814181714181814
Feels °C (?)22231518191520211517171416179151413161614
  • 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 Rabbit Island Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Rabbit Island provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 12 days. A general guide to surfing at Rabbit Island can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Rabbit Island 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 (Rabbit Island) 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 Rabbit Island 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.

Are you planning a holiday in Nelson - Tasman Bay? If you are looking for accommodation near Rabbit Island, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Nelson - Tasman Bay, consider staying in Nelson which is 11 km (7 miles) away. Alternatively, find information about places to stay and car hire in Blenheim which is 73 km (45 miles) away

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