Surf Forecasts:
Rabbit Island surf forecast from 4 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 9 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 10s period, N swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 9 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 9s period, N swell with 888 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 9 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 10s 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 Sunday (Aug 09) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 10s 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 2.4m 9s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 09) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 10s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 09) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Sun 9th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Sun 9th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Sun 9th Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rabbit Island over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s on the menu for Rabbit Island.
First things first – it’s gonna be a quiet start. There’s nothing worth chasing until Sunday the 9th of August, so don’t bother checking the cams before that. A few glassy mornings with knee-high slop won’t do you any good.
Your best shot comes on the morning of Sunday the 9th. Swell hits 5 ft out of the north, with a 10-second period and combined energy of 417 – that’s the only real pulse in the whole 16-day stretch. Wind is glassy, so expect clean, lined-up waves. Rabbit Island is a beginner-friendly, inconsistent break, so 5 ft north swell might be a little hefty for total beginners, but intermediate folks will have a blast.
Water temp is about 53°, pretty normal for this time of year.
That Sunday morning is your golden window. By the afternoon, the wind shifts cross-on and the swell starts backing off. From Monday the 10th onward, it’s mostly tiny dribbles – energy readings mostly under 100, and plenty of days with zero surf. There’s a little bump to 3 ft from the NNW on the 12th, but with only a 6-second period, it’s gonna be weak and gutless.
The second week is a bust – flat, glassy mornings with nothing to ride. If you’re itching to get wet, make it happen Sunday morning. After that, it’s a waiting game.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Thu morning, min 3°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 34mm), heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun afternoon, min 7°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat morning, fresh winds from the NE by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | |||||||||||||||
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) | N 14 | NW 16 | N 13 | N 12 | N 12 | N 11 | N 11 | NW 4 | NNW 5 | NNW 8 | N 5 | NNE 7 | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 9 | N 8 | N 10 | N 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 4 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 405 | 417 | 239 | 164 | 68 | 51 | 81 | 35 | 51 | 25 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | on | off | off | on | off | off | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | on | glassy |
High Tide | 2:18PM3.66m | 2:37AM3.72m | 3:01PM3.53m | 3:32AM3.55m | 3:56PM3.38m | 4:39AM3.42m | 5:21PM3.27m | 5:58AM3.39m | 7:11PM3.37m | 7:18AM3.49m | 8:26PM3.68m | 8:29AM3.68m | 9:19PM4.01m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:02PM1.17m | 8:27AM1.17m | 9:00PM1.36m | 9:24AM1.34m | 10:21PM1.49m | 10:36AM1.47m | 11:48PM1.47m | 12:01PM1.48m | 1:05AM1.32m | 1:27PM1.35m | 2:11AM1.08m | 2:38PM1.11m | |||||||||
 | |  | | |  |  |  |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — |
 | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | 1 | 33 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 8 | 8 | 4 | 9 | 9 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 9 |
Feels °C | 5 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 13 | 12 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 14 | NW 13 | — | N 12 | N 12 | — | N 10 | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | N 5 | — | NW 18 | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 9 | N 8 | N 10 | N 9 |
| kJ | 4 | 7 | — | 3 | 3 | — | 2 | 6 | 25 | 27 | — | 13 | 417 | 239 | 164 | 68 | 51 | 81 | 35 | 51 | 25 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NW 16 | N 13 | N 12 | N 12 | N 11 | N 11 | NNW 11 | NNW 10 | NNW 8 | — | — | NW 18 | NW 18 | NW 16 | NW 16 | NW 15 | NW 15 | E 4 | NE 4 | NE 4 |
| kJ | — | 10 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 12 | 18 | 14 | — | — | 13 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 18 | NW 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 14 | NW 20 | NW 18 |
| kJ | 12 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 15 | 12 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 4 | — | NNW 8 | N 5 | NNE 7 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | — | — | — | ESE 2 | ESE 2 | — | — |
| kJ | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | 169 | 43 | 405 | 727 | 561 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 90 | 90 | 77 | 77 | 92 | 77 | 77 | 77 | 8 | 8 | 77 | 77 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 29 | 29 | 36 |
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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