Rabbit Island Surf Break

Lat Long: 41.26° S 173.14° E

Rabbit Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 23 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Rabbit Island sea temperature is
12.1°C
0.1° 

Rabbit Island surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Rabbit Island surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 7s period, N swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 8s period, N swell with 555 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 7s period with N swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Rabbit Island this week:

The surf forecast for Rabbit Island over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 7s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Rabbit Island in the next 16 days are 2.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 9s period and expected on Friday (Aug 28) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Fri 28th Aug)7ft (2.2m) 7s
Best Surf 6AM (Fri 28th Aug)7ft (2.2m) 7s
Most Powerful 9AM (Fri 28th Aug)6.5ft (2.0m) 8s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rabbit Island over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the table for the next couple of weeks.

Well, I gotta be straight with you – it's a tough stretch. We're looking at a long, long dry spell before anything even remotely rideable shows up. For the next four days, from Sunday through Wednesday, it's pretty much a bust. The water's sitting at 54°F right now, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, but that's about the only thing that's normal. The swell is flat, and while we get some glassy mornings, there's just no energy to work with.

The first real glimmer of hope comes late on Wednesday, August 26th, but it's a tease. A tiny 2ft swell from the NW rolls in with a short period of 5 seconds, and the combined energy is a weak 25 – that's barely a ripple. The wind goes glassy in the afternoon, so it'll be clean, but you'll be fighting for a dribble. Thursday the 27th is similar, with a 3ft NNW swell, also short period, and the morning glass is perfect. But again, it's not enough to get excited about.

Now, we finally get a real pulse. Friday, August 28th, is the only standout in this entire 16-day window. Friday morning is the first sign of life, with a 7ft swell from the north and a period of 9 seconds. The combined energy jumps to 766 (moderate to strong), so there's some proper power behind it. That morning, the wind is a light cross-shore from the NW, which is... workable. But the real gem is Friday afternoon. The wind goes glassy, the swell settles to a still very solid 5ft, still from the north, and the energy is at 399. That's the pick of the whole period. The water temp will be a bit cooler by then, but the waves will be clean and punchy. Just keep in mind, this is a north swell for Rabbit Island, which is a fairly exposed spot, and the optimum direction is NNW, so it's a good angle.

After Friday, it's bleak again. The 30th offers a 3ft north swell, but it's short period and the wind is a cross-offshore, so it's messy. A few sessions in the first week of September will see tiny 3ft waves, but the wind is awful, or the swell is too small.

So, the bottom line: if you're desperate, paddle out on Thursday morning, August 27th, for a glassy, tiny session. But the real call is Friday afternoon, August 28th. That's your window. 5ft of clean north swell, glassy conditions, and decent energy. It's not a world-beater, but after a week of nothing, it's a gift. The rest of the 16 days is a whole lot of waiting.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 7°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri morning, min 10°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu morning, fresh winds from the NNE by Thu night).

Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
NNW
9
0.1
N
18
0.6
NNW
11
0.4
NNW
15
0.4
NW
15
0.2
NNW
15
0.2
NNW
15
0.4
NNW
4
0.4
NNW
5
0.4
NW
5
0.6
NW
5
0.8
NW
5
0.1
N
17
0.9
NNW
5
1.7
N
6
2
N
8
1.2
N
7
0.8
N
8
0.5
N
7
0.4
N
7
0.3
NNW
7
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
0
6
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
16
26
6
36
233
555
152
78
26
15
0
Wind (km/h)
10
WSW
20
WSW
20
SW
10
WSW
15
WSW
10
SW
10
SW
5
S
10
SSW
5
SSW
5
ENE
0
E
0
E
10
N
25
N
5
WNW
15
W
10
SW
10
WSW
10
N
15
SW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
glassy
off
off
glassy
glassy
glassy
on
on
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
on
cross-off
High Tide
6:38PM3.06m
7:06AM3.04m
7:58PM3.23m
8:06AM3.21m
8:46PM3.45m
8:53AM3.41m
9:23PM3.67m
9:34AM3.60m
9:56PM3.88m
10:13AM3.76m
10:29PM4.06m
10:51AM3.89m
11:01PM4.17m
Low Tide
11:37AM1.83m
00:53AM1.80m
1:01PM1.75m
1:49AM1.65m
2:08PM1.54m
2:33AM1.47m
2:57PM1.28m
3:09AM1.27m
3:34PM1.02m
3:44AM1.07m
4:08PM0.81m
4:17AM0.88m
4:39PM0.68m
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:07
7:05
7:03
7:01
7:00
6:58
6:56
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:52
5:53
5:54
5:55
5:57
5:58
5:59
 mm
3
2
21
Temp °C
13
12
10
15
16
10
13
13
11
15
14
12
13
13
14
16
16
11
14
13
7
Feels °C
11
7
4
11
12
7
11
11
10
14
13
12
12
11
13
14
13
9
11
10
4
  • 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 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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