Surf Forecasts:
Rabbit Island surf forecast from 29 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 31 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 7s period, N swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 30 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 7s period, N swell with 297 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 31 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 7s 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 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 19s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Rabbit Island in the next 16 days are 1.8m 7s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 30) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.2m 8s period and expected on Friday (Jul 31) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Fri 31st Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Fri 31st Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Thu 30th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rabbit Island over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break it down. Rusty here.
I gotta be honest with you—this stretch for Rabbit Island is a bummer. The whole 16-day window is mostly flat, with only a few tiny bumps that won’t get you excited. It’s a quiet run, with just a couple of weak pulses that barely count.
It starts on Thursday, July 30th with a little 3ft swell from the north, but it’s short-period (6 seconds) and the combined energy is only 99 (weak). Thursday morning is glassy with a light SSW breeze, so it’s clean, but the waves are weak. That afternoon the wind shifts north at 6 mph, onshore, making it even worse.
Then we hit a real dead zone. From Friday, July 31st all the way through Wednesday, August 12th, it’s mostly zeros—no swell to speak of. A few days show tiny 0.3ft to 0.7ft bumps, but they’re not worth your time. Combined energy rarely gets above single digits. Water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing unusual.
The only slight moment comes on Thursday, August 6th, with a 1ft northerly swell, period of 6 seconds, and combined energy of 10 (weak). Glassy conditions that afternoon, but it’s barely a ripple. Then on Friday, August 7th, we get the best of a bad lot: 1ft swell from the north, period stretching to 9 seconds in the morning, and combined energy of 37 (still weak). The wind is glassy to calm, so it’ll be clean, but it’s tiny. That afternoon the period bumps to 11 seconds, but energy is 35 (weak). For a beginner spot that’s inconsistent, this is a rare moment of something rideable, but it’s not going to get you stoked.
Later, there’s a tiny 0.3ft, 19-second groundswell on Saturday, August 8th (combined energy 13, weak), with offshore wind, but it’s too small to do anything. Same on Monday, August 10th—another 0.3ft, 19-second pulse with offshore wind, but again, energy is only 13.
Bottom line: no standout here. The whole 16 days is a washout for surf. If you’re a kite surfer, maybe a few afternoons with breeze could be fun, but for a paddle, you’re better off waiting. Forecasts can change, but right now it’s a long, flat spell.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Thu night. Very mild (max 13°C on Thu afternoon, min 4°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Tue morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon morning, min 3°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | ||||||||||||||
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 5 | N 6 | N 6 | N 7 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | N 8 | N 8 | NE 5 | NE 4 | N 6 | N 6 | NW 21 | NW 19 | NW 18 | NW 17 | NW 16 | ENE 4 | NE 4 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 18 | 62 | 64 | 210 | 0 | 0 | 84 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | glassy | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | glassy | off | glassy | on | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | on | glassy |
High Tide | 10:19PM3.89m | 10:33AM3.72m | 10:53PM4.00m | 11:11AM3.81m | 11:26PM4.08m | 11:48AM3.84m | 00:00AM4.12m | 12:25PM3.84m | 00:35AM4.10m | 1:02PM3.81m | 1:11AM4.02m | 1:39PM3.75m | 1:51AM3.89m | ||||||
Low Tide | 4:03AM1.18m | 4:34PM0.99m | 4:37AM1.06m | 5:07PM0.85m | 5:11AM0.95m | 5:38PM0.78m | 5:47AM0.88m | 6:10PM0.79m | 6:22AM0.86m | 6:42PM0.87m | 7:00AM0.90m | 7:19PM1.00m | |||||||
 |  |  |  | | |  |  | | | | | | |  |  | | |  | |
 | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — |
mm | — | — | 1 | 10 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 7 | 11 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 14 | 14 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 |
Feels °C | 5 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 2 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 9 | 9 | 5 | 9 | 8 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 5 | N 5 | — | N 7 | — | NW 16 | N 8 | N 8 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | N 6 | N 6 | NW 6 | NW 4 | NW 4 | NNW 4 | ENE 5 | NW 15 | NW 15 |
| kJ | 18 | 37 | — | 210 | — | 10 | 84 | 46 | 18 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 8 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 14 | NW 17 | — | N 19 | — | — | NNW 14 | NNW 14 | NE 5 | — | — | NW 12 | — | NW 19 | NW 18 | NW 17 | NW 4 | N 6 | — |
| kJ | 8 | 12 | — | 7 | — | — | 138 | 20 | 1 | — | — | 5 | — | 14 | 12 | 11 | 1 | 1 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | N 15 | — | — | — | — | NW 14 | NE 4 | — | NW 19 | NW 21 | NW 7 | — | NW 11 | NW 16 | — | NW 18 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | 8 | 1 | — | 14 | 17 | 2 | — | 4 | 10 | — | 13 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 4 | N 6 | N 6 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | — | SSW 2 | — | — | — | — | SW 2 | W 3 | WSW 2 | — | — | ENE 4 | NE 4 |
| kJ | 10 | 62 | 64 | 551 | 192 | 207 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 2 | 5 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 77 | 8 | 122 | 0 | 122 | 118 | 8 | 8 | 36 | 77 | 77 | 77 | 77 | 77 | 77 | 138 | 90 | 90 | 92 |
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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