Surf Forecasts:
Rabbit Island surf forecast from 29 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 31 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 7s period, N swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 31 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 7s period, N swell with 212 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 31 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 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 (Jul 31) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 19s. 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 1.4m 7s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 31) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 7s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 30) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Fri 31st Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Fri 31st Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Fri 31st Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rabbit Island over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again, this time in feet and Fahrenheit for you.
Let’s get real about Rabbit Island for the next couple of weeks. The first stretch is dead flat. From now all the way through the 5th of August, there’s nothing worth paddling out for. Tiny bumps, zero energy, full-on blank days. Water temp is about 53°F, which is roughly a degree and a half cooler than average for this time—nothing drastic, but you’ll feel it without a good suit.
Then Thursday the 6th of August in the afternoon, we finally get a pulse: 4ft from the north, period around 8 seconds, combined swell energy at 196—that’s moderate. And the wind goes glassy. That’s a big plus. The break is inconsistent, so it won’t be pumping, but the conditions will be clean for an afternoon paddle.
Then it drops off again for a few days. But the real highlight lands on Thursday the 13th of August. The morning comes in with 5ft from the north, 9-second period, and the energy reading hits 412—that’s strong. Winds are glassy. The afternoon stays clean with 5ft from the north-northeast, still glassy, energy at 284. This is the session to circle on your calendar. The swell direction is a great match for the break. Since it’s a beginner-friendly spot and the morning swell is over 5ft, it might push past what’s comfortable for newer surfers, but for anyone with a bit of experience, this is the best we’ve got in the whole outlook.
By Friday the 14th, it’s back to small and weak, so don’t sleep on that Thursday.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Thu night. Very mild (max 12°C on Thu afternoon, min 2°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 4°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NNW 6 | N 6 | N 7 | NW 8 | N 8 | NNW 14 | N 8 | NNW 7 | N 12 | NW 6 | N 6 | NW 21 | NW 19 | N 8 | NW 17 | NW 16 | ENE 3 | N 18 | ENE 4 | N 13 | N 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 80 | 75 | 212 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | glassy | off | off | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | on | glassy | off | on | glassy |
High Tide | 10:33AM3.72m | 10:53PM4.00m | 11:11AM3.81m | 11:26PM4.08m | 11:48AM3.84m | 00:00AM4.12m | 12:25PM3.84m | 00:35AM4.10m | 1:02PM3.81m | 1:11AM4.02m | 1:39PM3.75m | 1:51AM3.89m | 2:18PM3.66m | 2:37AM3.72m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:34PM0.99m | 4:37AM1.06m | 5:07PM0.85m | 5:11AM0.95m | 5:38PM0.78m | 5:47AM0.88m | 6:10PM0.79m | 6:22AM0.86m | 6:42PM0.87m | 7:00AM0.90m | 7:19PM1.00m | 7:40AM1.01m | 8:02PM1.17m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 7:37 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — |
 | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — |
mm | — | — | 8 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 11 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 6 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 6 |
Feels °C | 10 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 10 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 6 | — | N 19 | N 8 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | N 8 | NNW 7 | NNE 4 | NW 6 | N 6 | NW 5 | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | NW 4 | NNW 4 | NW 15 | NW 15 | — | ENE 4 | ENE 4 |
| kJ | 48 | — | 7 | 149 | 33 | 68 | 32 | 18 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 9 | 8 | — | 3 | 1 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 17 | — | — | NW 17 | N 8 | NNW 14 | NNW 14 | NW 14 | NNW 7 | — | — | NW 21 | NW 19 | NW 18 | NW 17 | NW 16 | NW 5 | — | — | N 13 | N 13 |
| kJ | 12 | — | — | 12 | 4 | 79 | 19 | 8 | 5 | — | — | 17 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 1 | — | — | 3 | 3 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 12 | — | N 6 | — | — | N 8 | — | — | — | N 18 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 6 | N 6 | N 7 | NW 8 | NNW 8 | — | — | — | — | SW 2 | — | WSW 2 | WSW 3 | — | — | — | ENE 3 | ENE 3 | ENE 4 | ENE 3 | — |
| kJ | 80 | 75 | 212 | 398 | 110 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 3 | 4 | 4 | 1 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 8 | 122 | 0 | 8 | 118 | 8 | 8 | 92 | 77 | 77 | 77 | 77 | 77 | 108 | 136 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 77 |
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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