Rabbit Island surf break

Rabbit Island surfForecast / Nelson – Tasman Bay / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 am Wednesday 06 May 2026 NZST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Rabbit Island surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Rabbit Island sea temperature is
16.4° C
(Which is 1.4°C warmer than normal for this time of year)

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 Saturday (May 09) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 11s 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 3.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Friday (May 08) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.3m 10s period and expected on Saturday (May 09) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Sat 9th May)6ft (1.9m) 11s
Best Surf 9AM (Sat 9th May)6ft (1.9m) 11s
Most Powerful 6PM (Fri 8th May)10ft (3.0m) 9s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 56mm), heaviest during Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri morning, min 11°C on Wed morning). Winds increasing (calm on Wed night, strong winds from the N by Fri afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 6°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
6
Thursday
7
Friday
8
Saturday
9
Sunday
10
Monday
11
Tuesday
12
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
3
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
N
6
0.6
N
5
0.6
N
6
1.3
N
6
1.5
N
7
1.7
N
7
2.1
N
8
2.5
N
8
2.4
N
10
1.9
N
11
1.3
N
9
1
N
10
0.7
NNW
13
0.4
NNW
14
0.4
NW
12
0.4
NNW
7
0.5
NE
4
0.3
NE
3
0.1
NW
14
0.1
NW
14
0.1
N
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1
18
22
128
199
303
555
870
1137
819
268
198
0
0
0
0
7
2
0
0
4
Wind (km/h)
5
WSW
10
ENE
5
SSW
10
NNE
20
N
20
N
30
N
30
NNE
20
NNW
0
SW
5
NW
20
SW
15
SW
15
SW
10
WSW
5
SSE
10
N
5
SW
5
SSW
0
NW
10
SSW
cross-off
cross-on
glassy
on
on
on
on
on
cross-on
glassy
glassy
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
on
glassy
glassy
glassy
off
High Tide
12:35PM3.53m
00:49AM3.71m
1:18PM3.41m
1:27AM3.51m
2:07PM3.28m
2:14AM3.32m
3:05PM3.18m
3:18AM3.19m
4:13PM3.14m
4:35AM3.18m
5:21PM3.17m
5:48AM3.32m
6:26PM3.30m
Low Tide
6:30PM1.25m
6:31AM1.29m
7:14PM1.37m
7:15AM1.44m
8:02PM1.47m
8:11AM1.59m
8:56PM1.54m
9:22AM1.67m
10:00PM1.58m
10:43AM1.64m
11:14PM1.54m
11:55AM1.47m
00:23AM1.39m
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
mod rain
mod rain
heavy rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
cloud
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:18
7:20
7:20
7:22
7:22
7:24
7:24
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:28
5:27
5:25
5:24
5:22
5:22
5:21
1
5
9
7
28
6
Temp °C
16
15
13
16
16
16
17
17
15
15
16
9
14
15
14
10
10
9
12
14
10
15
13
13
14
13
14
14
10
11
14
14
4
10
11
12
8
8
7
11
12
7
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
N
6
0.8
NNW
12
1
N
10
0.7
NNW
13
0.4
NNW
14
0.5
NNW
5
0.4
NNW
7
0.2
NNW
8
0.3
NE
3
0.1
NW
6
0.1
NW
6
Energy kJ
22
176
198
178
71
15
15
6
2
1
1
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
N
6
0.6
NNW
14
0.3
NNW
9
0.2
NNW
14
0.2
NNW
14
0.2
NNW
6
0.1
NW
14
0.1
NW
14
0.1
N
5
Energy kJ
1
121
15
19
21
4
8
8
1
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
NW
12
0.2
ENE
4
0.1
NW
15
0.1
N
15
Energy kJ
37
1
8
4
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
N
5
1.3
N
6
1.5
N
7
1.7
N
7
2.1
N
8
2.5
N
8
2.4
N
10
1.9
N
11
1.3
N
9
0.4
W
3
0.5
NNW
9
0.5
NE
4
Energy kJ
18
128
199
303
555
870
1137
819
268
2
48
7
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
2
1
2
1
1
1
8
4
4
4
3
Distance (km)
77
77
36
122
194
127
187
201
127
0
0
0
77
77
374
36
118
77
91
90
90
Best forecast wave conditions in Nelson - Tasman Bay
Rating
(10 max)
1
3
2
2
1
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
4
2
2
2
3
3
1
2
6
5
4
5
6
3
3
5
8
9
6
7
5
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
9
6
7
5
5
6
7
7
6
5
5
5
6
5
5
5
7
9
9
9
9
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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