Surf Forecasts:
Rabbit Island surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 6s period, NNW swell with 82 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 1.1m 6s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rabbit Island over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s get real about what’s on offer.
To be honest, the next 16 days are looking pretty grim. There’s a big fat stretch of nothing at the start, with absolutely zero surf from now right through until the morning of the 21st of August. So you’re looking at a solid four-day gap with no waves worth paddling for. The water temp is sitting at 53°F – that’s about normal for this time of year, so at least the chill is predictable.
The first sign of life shows up on the morning of Friday, 21 August at Rabbit Island. It’s a tiny little thing – 0.3ft from the north with a very long 16-second period, but the combined swell energy is basically a whisper (5). On top of that, the break is inconsistent, so don’t get your hopes up. The wind is light and cross-off, which will keep things clean, but honestly, you’re chasing shadows here.
Saturday morning the 22nd brings a bit more – 4ft from the northwest, 6-second period, and moderate energy for the first time (108). Still, the break is inconsistent, and while the wind is cross-off, the quality just isn’t there. The afternoon goes glassy calm but drops to a 0.3ft pulse.
Sunday the 23rd has a glassy morning with 3ft from the north-northwest, period short at 6 seconds, energy weak (48). Afternoon gets nuked by 19 mph winds from the west-southwest, so forget about it.
From the 24th through to the end of the period, the surf just fades in and out of nothing. There are glimpses of tiny 0.3ft pulses, mostly from the north, with some very long periods north of 15 seconds, but the energy is negligible – single digits mostly. The wind is often offshore or glassy, which would be a dream if there were any waves.
There’s nothing here that qualifies as a standout. Not one day I’d point you to as the best. This is just one of those stretches where the ocean shuts down for Rabbit Island. It’s a beginner spot that’s already inconsistent, and with no swell, it’s a total blank. Keep an eye on the forecasts – it tends not to stay this flat forever.
Stay patient.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Tue morning, min 3°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 4°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NW 15 | NW 15 | NW 15 | NW 14 | NW 14 | NW 15 | NW 17 | NW 16 | NW 16 | NW 15 | N 4 | N 14 | N 16 | NW 6 | NW 4 | N 14 | NW 7 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | N 6 | NNW 5 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 69 | 13 | 4 | 0 | 82 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | on | off | cross-off | on | off | glassy | on | off | off | on | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on |
High Tide | 1:00PM4.02m | 1:15AM3.98m | 1:36PM3.85m | 1:54AM3.75m | 2:12PM3.65m | 2:35AM3.50m | 2:52PM3.45m | 3:25AM3.25m | 3:40PM3.24m | 4:28AM3.05m | 4:51PM3.08m | 5:47AM2.97m | 6:38PM3.06m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:41PM0.86m | 7:07AM0.95m | 7:14PM1.09m | 7:46AM1.17m | 7:51PM1.36m | 8:28AM1.40m | 8:40PM1.63m | 9:18AM1.61m | 9:59PM1.84m | 10:19AM1.77m | 11:37PM1.89m | 11:37AM1.83m | 00:53AM1.80m | ||||||||
 | |  | | |  | |  | | | | | | |  | | | | | |  | |
 | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — |
 | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 3 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 8 | 8 | 3 | 12 | 12 | 7 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 12 | 13 | 8 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 10 |
Feels °C | 5 | 4 | 0 | 9 | 9 | 4 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 10 | 11 | 6 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 7 | 11 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 15 | NW 15 | NW 15 | NW 14 | NW 14 | NW 15 | NW 17 | NW 16 | NW 16 | NW 15 | NW 15 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | N 7 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | — | NNW 6 | N 6 | NNW 6 |
| kJ | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 30 | 1 | 37 | 66 | — | 50 | 31 | 8 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 6 | — | — | W 5 | — | — | W 5 | — | NW 4 | — | N 14 | N 16 | N 16 | N 15 | N 14 | — | — | NW 17 | NW 12 | NW 16 |
| kJ | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | — | — | 11 | 5 | 40 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 15 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | SW 2 | — | — | — | — | N 4 | — | — | NW 6 | NW 4 | — | NW 7 | NNW 6 | — | — | NNW 5 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 69 | 13 | — | 263 | 82 | — | — | 21 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 77 | 92 | 77 | 77 | 139 | 90 | 90 | 77 | 77 | 77 | 92 | 77 | 77 | 77 | 77 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 394 | 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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