Rabbit Island surf break

Rabbit Island surfForecast / Nelson – Tasman Bay / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Sunday 22 Mar 2026 NZDT
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
19.3° C
(Which is 2.6°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 (Mar 28) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 13s. 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 2.2m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Mar 27) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 10s period and expected on Friday (Mar 27) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Sat 28th Mar)4ft (1.2m) 8s
Best Surf10PM (Sat 28th Mar)4ft (1.2m) 8s
Most Powerful 1PM (Fri 27th Mar)7ft (2.2m) 11s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Mon morning, min 12°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 85mm), heaviest during Thu morning. Warm (max 20°C on Wed afternoon, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Sun
22
Monday
23
Tuesday
24
Wednesday
25
Thursday
26
Friday
27
Saturday
28
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.1
N
0.1
N
0.1
N
0.1
N
0.1
N
0.1
N
0.4
NNW
0.6
N
0.4
N
0.3
N
0.1
N
0.4
NNE
0.6
N
1.1
NNE
1.6
N
2
NNE
1.5
N
1.7
N
1.5
N
1
N
0.5
N
Period(s) (?)131412121514455514881111111011687
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)443344419844204328663985544363915411724
Wind
(km/h)
15
NNE
5
SSW
5
SW
10
NNE
5
SSW
0
SSW
10
NE
5
SSW
0
ESE
5
N
5
SE
10
ESE
10
E
15
ENE
20
ENE
20
NE
10
NNE
15
NE
10
ENE
0
SE
0
NE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
onoffglassonglassglasscross-
on
offglassglasscross-
off
crosscrosscross-
on
cross-
on
onononcross-
on
glassglass
High Tide
/ height (m)
1:38AM
4.13
1:52PM
4.01
2:18AM
3.95
2:40PM
3.76
3:04AM
3.69
3:36PM
3.49
4:03AM
3.40
4:47PM
3.25
5:30AM
3.20
6:14PM
3.16
7:21AM
3.26
7:38PM
3.24
8:34AM
3.49
Low Tide
/ height (m)
6:57PM
0.60
7:19AM
0.64
7:40PM
0.80
8:04AM
0.89
8:29PM
1.04
9:01AM
1.20
9:29PM
1.29
10:24AM
1.46
10:42PM
1.49
12:05PM
1.52
12:15AM
1.56
1:28PM
1.37
1:45AM
1.45
Sun
22
Monday
23
Tuesday
24
Wednesday
25
Thursday
26
Friday
27
Saturday
28
Sunrise--7:31--7:33--7:33--7:35--7:35--7:37--7:37
Sunset7:37--7:35--7:34--7:31--7:30--7:28--7:27--
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
cloud
Rain (mm)
----------2192018859411-
Temp. °C181420191519181619201614151618191718181717
Feels °C (?)161418171418161718201613141416181718181819
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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