Surf Forecasts:
Rabbit Island surf forecast from 11 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 13 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s period, N swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 7s period, N swell with 212 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s 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 Thursday (Aug 13) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 8s 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 1.4m 7s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) 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 1.3m 7s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 13) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 7s |
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 in store for our local patch.
Honestly, it’s a pretty bleak run ahead. We’re looking at a long stretch of flat to tiny, weak swell, and the conditions are just not cooperating. The first real chance to get wet doesn't pop up until Thursday the 13th of August, and even then, it’s a bit of a struggle.
We’ve got a bit of a pulse arriving on Thursday morning. Rabbit Island is seeing a 5 ft swell from the north, with a period of 7 seconds. That’s a short period, wind swell, so it’ll be a bit messy and crumbly. The combined swell energy is moderate, sitting at 212. The water temp is 53°F, which is about 1°F cooler than average for this time of year, so pretty standard. The wind is light from the NNW at 3 mph, creating glassy conditions. That’s the major positive here – the clean surface will make the most of what little power there is. This is a beginner spot, but it’s inconsistent, so you’ll be waiting around for sets. The swell direction is from the north, and the optimum direction for this break is from the NNW, so it’s not a perfect match, but it’s close enough to get a few knee-high rolls. The afternoon holds similar but drops to 4 ft with the same glassy conditions, so there’s a small window of clean but ordinary surf.
After Thursday, it’s back to the doldrums. From Friday the 14th all the way through to Tuesday the 25th of August, we’re looking at near-zero readings. The swell energy drops to single digits, and there are plenty of days with no waves at all. Expect a solid 10-day gap with nothing worth paddling for.
Then on Tuesday the 25th of August, we get a tiny flicker in the afternoon. A 3 ft wind swell from the NNW with a 6-second period pops up, but the combined energy is only 43 – weak. The wind is onshore from the north at 6 mph, which will just mess up the surface. Not a standout by any stretch.
So, the only real window to even think about is that Thursday morning on the 13th. It’s not going to be epic, but if you’re desperate for a paddle and a few sloppy waves, the glassy conditions will make it the best of a bad bunch. The rest of the 16 days is a write-off.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Wed night. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri morning, min 7°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri afternoon, min 3°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | ||||||||||||||
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 8 | N 7 | NE 5 | NE 4 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | N 6 | N 5 | N 5 | NW 18 | N 7 | N 7 | NNW 16 | NNW 16 | NNW 15 | NE 4 | NW 15 | NW 15 | NW 15 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 10 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 92 | 212 | 135 | 51 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | off | glassy | on | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | on | off | off | on | off | glassy | on | off |
High Tide | 9:19PM4.01m | 9:29AM3.89m | 10:04PM4.25m | 10:20AM4.07m | 10:44PM4.38m | 11:05AM4.18m | 11:23PM4.39m | 11:46AM4.21m | 00:01AM4.32m | 12:24PM4.15m | 00:38AM4.17m | 1:00PM4.02m | 1:15AM3.98m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:06AM0.82m | 3:34PM0.87m | 3:54AM0.61m | 4:21PM0.69m | 4:37AM0.49m | 5:01PM0.60m | 5:17AM0.48m | 5:37PM0.60m | 5:54AM0.57m | 6:10PM0.70m | 6:30AM0.73m | 6:41PM0.86m | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  |  | | |  | |  | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — |
 | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | 6 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 11 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 5 | 10 | 9 | 5 |
Feels °C | 10 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 10 | 14 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 2 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 8 | ENE 5 | NE 5 | N 5 | N 8 | NNW 14 | — | N 6 | N 5 | N 5 | NW 18 | NNW 17 | NNW 16 | NNW 16 | ENE 3 | NNW 15 | NNW 15 | NW 15 | NW 15 | NW 15 |
| kJ | 10 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 92 | 21 | — | 51 | 9 | 4 | 13 | 29 | 26 | 25 | 1 | 23 | 23 | 9 | 9 | 8 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 7 | N 7 | N 13 | NW 19 | NW 18 | NW 19 | NNW 11 | NW 9 | N 8 | NW 8 | N 7 | NW 7 | — | NNW 16 | — | NE 4 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 4 | 1 | 3 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | — | 25 | — | 1 | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 19 | — | N 10 | N 8 | — | — | — | NW 18 | NW 16 | NW 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 7 | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | 12 | 11 | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NE 5 | NE 4 | — | N 7 | N 7 | — | — | — | — | — | N 7 | — | — | — | SW 3 | SSW 2 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 3 | 4 | — | 212 | 135 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 122 | 92 | 77 | 77 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 36 | 90 | 90 | 77 | 92 | 91 | 90 | 90 | 36 | 77 | 92 | 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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