Rabbit Island surf break

Rabbit Island surfForecast / Nelson – Tasman Bay / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 pm Friday 17 Apr 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
18.2° 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 (Apr 18) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 7s 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 1.2m 9s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Apr 19) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 7s period and expected on Saturday (Apr 18) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3PM (Sat 18th Apr)4.5ft (1.4m) 7s
Best Surf 3PM (Sat 18th Apr)4.5ft (1.4m) 7s
Most Powerful 6AM (Sun 19th Apr)4ft (1.2m) 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 49mm), heaviest during Fri night. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 29mm), heaviest during Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue morning, min 8°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Fri
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.7
NNW
1.5
NNW
1.7
N
1.4
N
1.1
N
1.1
N
0.9
N
0.7
N
0.3
N
0.2
N
0.2
N
0.5
N
0.6
N
0.6
N
0.5
N
0.4
N
0.2
N
0.1
N
0.1
N
0.1
N
0.1
N
Period(s) (?)56778988897777888771614
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)191500212156194115581064213234291851154
Wind
(km/h)
5
ENE
15
NW
5
NNW
0
NNW
0
W
0
W
5
NE
5
SSE
10
SSW
5
WSW
5
SSW
5
SSW
10
NE
5
SSW
10
SW
5
SW
10
S
5
S
0
SW
10
S
5
SSW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
glasscross-
on
cross-
on
glassglassglasscross-
on
glassoffcross-
off
offglassonglassoffcross-
off
offoffglassoffoff
High Tide
/ height (m)
10:19PM
4.19
10:23AM
4.26
10:59PM
4.31
11:06AM
4.26
11:39PM
4.31
11:50AM
4.16
12:21AM
4.20
12:39PM
3.97
1:06AM
4.00
1:31PM
3.72
1:58AM
3.74
2:33PM
3.47
3:02AM
3.48
Low Tide
/ height (m)
3:35PM
0.57
4:00AM
0.48
4:14PM
0.50
4:39AM
0.43
4:56PM
0.54
5:20AM
0.49
5:41PM
0.66
6:05AM
0.67
6:32PM
0.85
6:56AM
0.93
7:27PM
1.07
8:01AM
1.21
8:28PM
1.28
9:26AM
1.40
Fri
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Sunrise--7:00--7:01--7:01--7:03--7:03--7:05--7:05
Sunset5:53--5:52--5:51--5:49--5:47--5:45--5:45--
part cloud
rain showers
heavy rain
mod rain
light rain
light rain
cloud
mod rain
mod rain
mod rain
rain showers
rain showers
thunderstorm
rain showers
mod rain
light rain
cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
Rain (mm)
-1411811-688114861-----
Temp. °C15151515131415121111121515121112913151015
Feels °C (?)15141516131414119101115141191161113714
  • 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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