Surf Forecasts:
Rabbit Island surf forecast from 20 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 7s period, N swell with 184 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Rabbit Island this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Rabbit Island in the next 16 days are 1.4m 7s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 7s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rabbit Island over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's be straight with you – this is a tough one for the Rabbit Island area. The next 16 days are looking pretty grim. We’ve got a massive gap with no real surf on offer, so don’t get your hopes up too early.
The first record shows a tiny bit of activity on Tuesday, July 21st, but it’s nothing to write home about. We’re looking at a 0.3ft swell from the north with a period of 11 seconds. The combined energy is a measly 2, so it’s incredibly weak. The water temperature is sitting at 54°, which is about 0.9° cooler than normal for this time of year – pretty average. While the wind is light and glassy or offshore, you’ll be scratching for anything rideable. It’s a tough initiation.
Things pick up a touch on Thursday, July 23rd, with the afternoon showing a 2ft, 4-second swell from the northwest in glassy conditions, but the energy is still only 12. It’s a tiny, short-period windswell, better for a splash than a proper surf. Friday, July 24th, gets a bit of a bump with a 5ft north swell, but the wind swings to a cross-on 12 mph, making it choppy. The energy jumps to 184, which is moderate, but the quality is poor. For a beginner break, 5ft is pushing it, and with that wind, it’s a mess. It might be more interesting for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer.
The rest of the first week and into the second is a desert. From Saturday, July 25th, right through to the end of the period, we’re looking at flat spells with zero energy and tiny, inconsistent pulses. There are a few moments of glassy conditions, like on Sunday, July 26th, and Wednesday, July 29th, but the swell is practically non-existent. The 2ft, 4-second swell on Sunday morning has a little energy (14), but it’s barely enough to move the surface. The period is so short the waves will be crumbly and weak.
Honestly, there’s not a single standout day here. The best on offer is probably the 5ft north swell on Friday, July 24th, but the onshore wind ruins it. If you’re desperate, the 2ft on Thursday, July 23rd, in the afternoon glass, might give you a few close-out ankle-biters. But for a proper session, you’re better off waiting for the next system. This is one of those blank runs that’s normal for the area; forecasts can change, but for now, it’s a flat spell.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 12°C on Tue afternoon, min 6°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 12°C on Fri morning, min 1°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 11 | N 11 | N 10 | N 16 | N 10 | N 8 | N 7 | NW 4 | NW 5 | N 7 | N 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 14 | NNW 15 | NE 3 | ESE 4 | NNW 9 | NNW 14 | N 8 | N 8 | NW 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 69 | 0 | 184 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 0 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | glassy | off | off | on | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | glassy | glassy | off | glassy | on | off |
High Tide | 2:59PM3.61m | 3:23AM3.56m | 3:44PM3.43m | 4:16AM3.37m | 4:38PM3.29m | 5:17AM3.23m | 5:49PM3.22m | 6:24AM3.16m | 7:15PM3.28m | 7:30AM3.18m | 8:20PM3.44m | 8:27AM3.28m | 9:06PM3.61m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:41PM1.39m | 9:23AM1.45m | 9:39PM1.61m | 10:19AM1.60m | 10:59PM1.76m | 11:20AM1.69m | 00:16AM1.78m | 12:23PM1.71m | 1:19AM1.70m | 1:26PM1.67m | 2:11AM1.58m | 2:24PM1.55m | 2:53AM1.45m | ||||||||
 | |  |  |  |  | | |  |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 7:45 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — |
 | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | 7 | 3 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 10 | 12 | 6 | 12 | 12 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 2 |
Feels °C | 8 | 10 | 3 | 11 | 9 | 5 | 8 | 11 | 8 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | -1 | 3 | 3 | -1 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 11 | N 11 | NW 4 | N 10 | N 10 | N 8 | NW 15 | NW 4 | NNW 5 | — | — | N 7 | NNW 14 | NNW 15 | NNW 15 | N 8 | ESE 4 | NNW 9 | N 8 | N 8 | NW 7 |
| kJ | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 4 | 18 | — | — | 94 | 131 | 252 | 91 | 37 | 10 | 17 | 6 | 5 | 2 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | N 10 | — | — | — | N 7 | NW 14 | N 13 | — | — | NW 17 | N 7 | — | N 8 | NNW 14 | NNW 9 | ENE 4 | NNW 12 | NW 12 | NW 12 |
| kJ | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | 8 | 3 | — | — | 12 | 26 | — | 1 | 20 | 25 | 2 | 15 | 6 | 5 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NW 13 | N 16 | — | — | — | N 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 11 | NW 15 | NNW 14 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 7 | 5 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 8 | 18 | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SW 2 | SW 3 | — | — | — | NW 4 | NW 5 | N 7 | N 7 | NNW 7 | WSW 3 | — | NE 3 | ESE 4 | SE 4 | SSW 2 | SW 3 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 11 | 69 | 240 | 184 | 211 | 3 | — | 2 | 14 | 28 | 1 | 2 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 77 | 77 | 77 | 77 | 77 | 90 | 92 | 109 | 8 | 127 | 139 | 8 | 77 | 479 | 8 | 8 | 92 | 92 | 77 | 92 | 90 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Nelson - Tasman Bay | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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 16 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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