Surf Forecast Surf Report

Rapahoe surfForecast / West Coast South Island / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 am Tuesday 06 May 2025 NZST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Rapahoe surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Rapahoe sea temperature is
16.0° C
(Which is 1.2°C warmer than normal for this time of year)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Rapahoe this week:

The surf forecast for Rapahoe over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (May 06) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 22s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 4s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Rapahoe in the next 12 days are 3.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (May 09) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 7s period and expected on Friday (May 09) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Tue 6th May)3.5ft (1.1m) 13s
Best Surf 6AM (Fri 9th May)11ft (3.5m) 16s
Most Powerful 6AM (Fri 9th May)11ft (3.5m) 16s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Rapahoe over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Tuesday
06
Wednesday
07
Thursday
08
Friday
09
Saturday
10
Sunday
11
Monday
12
Tuesday
13
Wednesday
14
Thursday
15
Friday
16
Saturday
17
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.2
WSW
1.3
WSW
1.2
W
1.5
W
1.8
W
2.2
W
2.5
WNW
2.3
W
3
W
2
W
2.1
W
2.5
W
2.4
W
1.4
W
1.9
W
2.1
W
2.1
W
2
W
1.7
WSW
1.5
W
1.3
WSW
1.2
WSW
0.8
WSW
2.4
WSW
1.9
WSW
1.6
WSW
1.2
WSW
1
WSW
0.9
WSW
0.8
WSW
0.7
WSW
0.8
WSW
0.8
WSW
1.3
WSW
1.5
WSW
1.4
WSW
Period(s) (?)14141316161515151615141615151414141414141313128111112111111101018161615
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy (?)613704498116016722168305822894748180418553353272083614631756188417151240912608492195763846611397263210150110118408893999784
Wind
(km/h)
5
NE
10
NNW
5
W
5
NE
10
NNW
10
NE
20
NNE
30
N
25
WSW
10
SW
10
SW
5
S
0
E
5
SW
0
E
15
SW
5
NNW
5
E
0
SE
10
SW
0
ENE
5
SSW
10
WSW
10
ESE
10
NE
5
WNW
5
E
5
NE
5
NNW
10
E
10
E
5
N
10
NE
15
NNE
20
NE
0
ENE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
glasscross-
on
glasscross-
off
cross-
on
crosscrosscross-
on
crosscrosscrosscross-
off
glasscrossglasscrossoncross-
off
glasscrossglassglasscrosscross-
off
crossglasscross-
off
crossglasscross-
off
cross-
off
glasscrosscross-
on
crossglass
High Tide
/ height (m)
6:43PM
2.18
7:04AM
2.28
7:36PM
2.24
7:54AM
2.33
8:21PM
2.32
8:37AM
2.39
9:00PM
2.41
9:15AM
2.46
9:36PM
2.48
9:52AM
2.51
10:10PM
2.54
10:28AM
2.55
10:45PM
2.58
11:04AM
2.56
11:20PM
2.58
11:40AM
2.53
11:56PM
2.55
12:17PM
2.48
12:33AM
2.50
12:56PM
2.42
1:14AM
2.44
1:39PM
2.34
1:58AM
2.37
Low Tide
/ height (m)
12:23PM
0.67
12:47AM
0.74
1:20PM
0.62
1:41AM
0.67
2:08PM
0.56
2:27AM
0.59
2:49PM
0.49
3:07AM
0.51
3:26PM
0.43
3:44AM
0.44
4:02PM
0.40
4:20AM
0.39
4:37PM
0.39
4:56AM
0.37
5:12PM
0.41
5:32AM
0.39
5:48PM
0.45
6:09AM
0.42
6:26PM
0.50
6:48AM
0.48
7:05PM
0.57
7:30AM
0.54
7:49PM
0.63
Tuesday
06
Wednesday
07
Thursday
08
Friday
09
Saturday
10
Sunday
11
Monday
12
Tuesday
13
Wednesday
14
Thursday
15
Friday
16
Saturday
17
Sunrise7:28--7:30--7:31--7:31--7:33--7:33--7:35--7:35--7:37--7:37--7:39--7:39--
Sunset-5:32--5:31--5:30--5:30--5:29--5:27--5:25--5:24--5:23--5:22--5:22--5:21-
cloudrain showerscloudpart cloudpart cloudcloudrain showersrain showersheavy rainrain showersrain showerspart cloudpart cloudpart cloudpart cloudclearclearpart cloudpart cloudcloudcloudpart cloudclearclearlight rainrain showerscloudpart cloudcloudpart cloudcloudcloudrain showersmod rainheavy rainheavy rain
Rain (mm)
-1----152631-------------11------362120
Temp. °C141515151514161616131312111213131311121213131412131412141513151616151515
Feels °C (?)131314141310111110101091010101111910913131211111311131412141514131215

Short Range Forecast: Heavy rain (total 33mm), heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu morning, min 11°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, fresh winds from the N by Thu night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri morning, min 10°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 6-9 Weather Summary Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue afternoon, min 10°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Long Range Forecast: Heavy rain (total 51mm), heaviest during Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

  • 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 Rapahoe Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Rapahoe provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 12 days. A general guide to surfing at Rapahoe can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Rapahoe 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 (Rapahoe) 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 Rapahoe 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.

Rapahoe is 175 km (109 miles) from the city of Christchurch. If you plan a holiday in West Coast South Island, look for hotels and other accommodation in Christchurch. Christchurch has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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