Surf Forecasts:
Rabbit Island surf forecast from 26 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 31 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 8s period, N swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 30 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 7s period, N swell with 392 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 31 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 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 Friday (Jul 31) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m 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 1.9m 7s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 30) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 8s period and expected on Friday (Jul 31) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Fri 31st Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Fri 31st Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Thu 30th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rabbit Island over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here, checkin' in with the outlook for Rabbit Island. Gotta be straight with you – this is a tough stretch. We've got a long, long dry spell on our hands before anything even thinks about showing up.
For the next week and a half, it's pretty much flat. From now through to the morning of Thursday, August 6th, the swell's just not there. There’s nothing to ride, so don't bother paddling out. It’s a real bummer, a big gap of nearly ten days of nothing.
Finally, on the morning of Thursday, the 6th of August, we see a pulse. It’s not big, but it’s something. Swell comes in from the north at about 4ft, with a period of 8 seconds, giving us a moderate wave energy (168). Winds are offshore and light, so it’ll be clean. The water temp is about average for this time of year, which is fine. That afternoon looks even better, with the wind dropping to glassy calm and the swell still holding at around 4ft from the north (142 energy). This is the one shot we get, and it’s really just for the beginners – the size is mellow and friendly. But after that, it fades fast, dropping back to knee-high dribble by Friday morning and then nothing again.
So, the standout here is clear: Thursday, the 6th of August. That’s your window. Get out there on the morning or afternoon glass-off for some clean little waves at Rabbit Island. It’s inconsistent, but when that north swell shows, it'll be worth the wait for a learner session. Don't expect much else for the rest of the run.
Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 11°C on Tue afternoon, min 2°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Thu night. Very mild (max 12°C on Thu afternoon, min 4°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | ||||||||||||||
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 7 | NNW 13 | N 12 | N 7 | N 11 | N 7 | — | N 5 | NNW 3 | N 5 | N 5 | N 6 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | ESE 3 | NW 14 | NW 14 | NNW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 15 | 74 | 372 | 113 | 37 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | on | off | glassy | glassy | off | glassy | glassy | off | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | glassy | off |
High Tide | 8:27AM3.28m | 9:06PM3.61m | 9:14AM3.43m | 9:44PM3.76m | 9:55AM3.59m | 10:19PM3.89m | 10:33AM3.72m | 10:53PM4.00m | 11:11AM3.81m | 11:26PM4.08m | 11:48AM3.84m | 00:00AM4.12m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:11AM1.58m | 2:24PM1.55m | 2:53AM1.45m | 3:15PM1.37m | 3:29AM1.31m | 3:58PM1.17m | 4:03AM1.18m | 4:34PM0.99m | 4:37AM1.06m | 5:07PM0.85m | 5:11AM0.95m | 5:38PM0.78m | |||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | | | |  |  | |  |  |  | | |
 | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 1 | 1 | — | 6 | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 5 | 9 | 10 | 5 | 10 | 11 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 6 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 5 | 7 | 3 |
Feels °C | 3 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 3 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 4 | -1 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 7 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | — | N 5 | NW 15 | N 5 | N 5 | — | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | NNW 13 | NNW 8 | NW 14 | NNW 14 |
| kJ | 5 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 9 | 11 | 15 | — | 372 | 113 | 37 | 69 | 19 | 51 | 19 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 14 | NNW 13 | N 12 | NW 12 | N 11 | — | — | NW 11 | — | NW 14 | NW 17 | — | N 20 | NW 18 | NNW 8 | ENE 3 | NW 14 | NNW 7 | NW 12 |
| kJ | 8 | 16 | 3 | 5 | 2 | — | — | 5 | — | 8 | 12 | — | 7 | 12 | 28 | 4 | 51 | 9 | 6 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 10 | — | NW 12 | — | — | — | — | NW 16 | — | — | NW 18 | — | — | NNW 18 | NW 16 | NNW 7 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 4 | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | 10 | — | — | 12 | — | — | 30 | 10 | 15 | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSW 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 3 | WNW 4 | — | N 6 | NNW 8 | — | WSW 2 | ESE 3 | SW 3 | SSW 4 | SW 4 |
| kJ | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | 74 | 998 | — | 1 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 8 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 36 | 36 | 91 | 77 | 77 | 92 | 77 | 77 | 77 | 77 | 77 | 122 | 122 | 77 | 122 | 109 | 36 | 36 | 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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