Surf Forecasts:
Ruby Bay surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 9s period, N swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, N swell with 891 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 9s period with N swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Ruby Bay this week:
The surf forecast for Ruby Bay over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 9s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Ruby Bay in the next 16 days are 2.5m 8s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 9s period and expected on Friday (Aug 28) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Ruby Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty, and I’ve got a look at what’s on offer for our stretch of coast. It’s a pretty quiet run ahead, so let’s not beat around the bush.
First up, the water temp here at Ruby Bay is sitting at 53°, which is about what you’d expect for this time of year—no real anomaly, just normal.
The big picture is that we’re looking at a very slow period. The first solid recommendation doesn’t even pop up until Friday the 28th, and even then it’s not great. Before that, from Monday the 24th right through Thursday the 27th, the surf is barely a whisper. Tiny, weak swells, mostly under 3 ft, with periods so short they don’t have any push. The energy numbers are all in the single digits or low double digits—like 0 to 49—so really just flat or crummy. The only consistent thing is the wind, which is often offshore or glassy, so it’s clean, but there’s nothing to ride. For a spot that rarely breaks anyway, this is a real dry spell.
Now, Friday the 28th morning brings a pulse of swell from the north at 7 ft, but the period is a short 7 seconds, and the wind is a cross-onshore from the north at 15 mph. The wave energy jumps to 475 (moderate), but the wind is ruining the shape—chop city. That afternoon, it cleans up a little with a lighter breeze, and the swell holds at 8 ft (period 9 seconds, energy 859), but it’s still cross-onshore. This is a big, messy swell, and for a rarely-breaking point like Ruby Bay, it’s not going to be pretty. The optimum swell direction is from the north, so it’s hitting the right angle, but the wind and short period mean it’s more of a kite-surfing setup than a clean paddle session. This is definitely for experts only, and even then, Thursday the 29th might be the better bet if you’re patient.
Saturday the 29th morning is a much smaller 3 ft from the north with a 8-second period, but the wind is offshore from the southwest at 3 mph, cleaning things right up. The energy is a low 80, so it’s not got much punch, but it’s the cleanest, most manageable wave of the whole run. This is the standout for beginners who just want to get wet on a party wave. The afternoon is tiny again.
After that, it’s back to the same pattern: long gaps of nothing. Sunday the 30th and Monday the 31st have clean offshore winds but zero swell. Tuesday the 1st of September is the same story. Then Wednesday the 2nd has a tiny 2 ft from the NNW with a short period, and Thursday the 3rd is worse. It’s not until Monday the 7th that we see a tiny 3 ft from the NNW, and Tuesday the 8th morning brings a 4 ft from the north with a 6-second period and glassy wind—118 energy, so small but clean. That afternoon, the wind picks up to 15 mph from the north again, making a mess of a 6 ft north swell.
So, the best of the lot? Hands down, Saturday the 29th morning. It’s small, clean, and the only real window for a fun, mellow surf. For bigger waves, Friday the 28th afternoon has the size but it’s rough. Tuesday the 8th morning is also a clean option, but it’s still small. Overall, this is a lean 16 days for a spot that rarely breaks anyway—don’t expect much.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 9°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 22mm), heaviest during Fri morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu afternoon, min 6°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu morning, fresh winds from the N by Fri morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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) | NNW 15 | NW 15 | NNW 15 | NW 6 | NW 5 | WSW 4 | NW 15 | NNW 5 | NW 5 | N 17 | NNW 5 | N 6 | N 7 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | N 21 | NNW 7 | NW 18 | NW 16 | NW 4 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
0 | 0 | 0 | 49 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 57 | 6 | 36 | 78 | 475 | 859 | 214 | 80 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | glassy | off | off | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:58PM3.23m | 8:06AM3.21m | 8:46PM3.45m | 8:53AM3.41m | 9:23PM3.67m | 9:34AM3.60m | 9:56PM3.88m | 10:13AM3.76m | 10:29PM4.06m | 10:51AM3.89m | 11:01PM4.17m | 11:27AM3.97m | 11:34PM4.21m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:01PM1.75m | 1:49AM1.65m | 2:08PM1.54m | 2:33AM1.47m | 2:57PM1.28m | 3:09AM1.27m | 3:34PM1.02m | 3:44AM1.07m | 4:08PM0.81m | 4:17AM0.88m | 4:39PM0.68m | 4:49AM0.73m | 5:10PM0.62m | ||||||||
7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | |
— | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 18 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 16 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 9 | 15 | 14 | 8 | 16 | 16 | 14 |
Feels °C | 11 | 12 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 9 | 14 | 7 | 12 | 11 | 3 | 12 | 12 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 8 | NNW 7 | NNW 5 | NNW 4 | NW 15 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NW 14 | NNW 5 | N 5 | — | — | — | — | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | NNW 7 | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | NNW 16 |
19 | 18 | 4 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 5 | 8 | 17 | 13 | — | — | — | — | 214 | 80 | 55 | 18 | 1 | 2 | 24 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 15 | NW 15 | NNW 15 | NNW 15 | — | NW 14 | WNW 4 | — | NW 14 | N 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 21 | NW 19 | NNW 7 | NW 11 | — |
89 | 57 | 23 | 23 | — | 8 | 2 | — | 7 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 14 | 5 | 5 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NNW 6 | — | — | — | NW 15 | — | — | N 17 | — | — | — | — | — | NW 13 | — | — | NW 18 | NW 16 | — |
— | — | 4 | — | — | — | 8 | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | — | — | 12 | 11 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NW 7 | — | NW 6 | NW 5 | WSW 4 | WSW 3 | NNW 5 | NW 5 | — | NNW 5 | N 6 | N 7 | N 9 | — | — | — | WSW 2 | WSW 2 | SW 2 | NW 4 |
— | 49 | — | 49 | 23 | 16 | 1 | 14 | 57 | — | 36 | 78 | 475 | 859 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 14 | 83 | 83 | 14 | 115 | 115 | 83 | 83 | 14 | 83 | 83 | 133 | 193 | 129 | 0 | 14 | 83 | 83 | 83 | 115 | 115 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Nelson - Tasman Bay | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Ruby Bay Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Ruby Bay provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Ruby Bay can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Ruby Bay 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 (Ruby Bay) 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 Ruby Bay 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 Ruby Bay, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Nelson - Tasman Bay, consider staying in Nelson which is 17 km (11 miles) away. Alternatively, find information about places to stay and car hire in Blenheim which is 80 km (50 miles) away











