Surf Forecasts:
Ruby Bay surf forecast from 5 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 9 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 9s period, N swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 9 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 9s period, N swell with 417 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 9 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 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 Sunday (Aug 09) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m 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 1.6m 9s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 09) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 9s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 09) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Sun 9th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Sun 9th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Sun 9th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Ruby Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – this stretch for Ruby Bay is looking grim. I’ve scanned the whole 16-day window and there’s genuinely nothing to get excited about. It’s a tough run for a spot that rarely breaks even in the best of times.
We’re looking at a long, bleak gap of almost no surf. The whole first week, from August 6th to the 8th, is flat with weak, tiny waves that won’t break. The morning of the 9th offers a tiny flicker of hope with a 5ft swell from the north, but even then the combined energy of all swells directed here is just 417 (moderate wave energy), and the score is barely a whisper. It’s glassy, sure, but the swell is so short period (9 seconds) that it’ll just be a bumpy, weak mess for a point break that’s sheltered from that north direction anyway. The wind is light offshore for the morning, but don’t be fooled – it’s not worth paddling out for.
The rest of the week is a washout. Tiny, inconsistent bumps with onshore or cross-off winds, and the water temp is about average for the time of year, so nothing to write home about there. Sunday the 16th sees a bit of rain and a 1ft swell, but it’s onshore and messy. August 17th has a glassy morning with a 2ft swell from the north and a 12-second period, but the energy is still weak (165) and it’s just not enough to get this point working. After that, it’s flat again until the 21st.
Honestly, if you’re a surfer, give this a miss. The setup is so weak and inconsistent that it’s more interesting for kite surfers if the wind gets up, but for paddle surfing, it’s a total blank. This kind of dry spell is more normal for this area, so don’t hold your breath. Forecasts can change, but right now, there’s nothing on the table.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 11°C on Sat afternoon, min 3°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 27mm), heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 12°C on Sat night, min 6°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | ||||||||||||||
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 13 | N 12 | N 12 | N 11 | N 12 | NW 4 | NNW 5 | N 5 | N 5 | N 5 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 0 | 12 | 17 | 97 | 417 | 249 | 126 | 137 | 162 | 85 | 40 | 24 | 12 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | on | off | off | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | off | off | on | off | glassy | glassy | off |
High Tide | 2:37AM3.72m | 3:01PM3.53m | 3:32AM3.55m | 3:56PM3.38m | 4:39AM3.42m | 5:21PM3.27m | 5:58AM3.39m | 7:11PM3.37m | 7:18AM3.49m | 8:26PM3.68m | 8:29AM3.68m | 9:19PM4.01m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:27AM1.17m | 9:00PM1.36m | 9:24AM1.34m | 10:21PM1.49m | 10:36AM1.47m | 11:48PM1.47m | 12:01PM1.48m | 1:05AM1.32m | 1:27PM1.35m | 2:11AM1.08m | 2:38PM1.11m | ||||||||
 |  | |  |  |  |  | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 26 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 5 | 8 | 9 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 9 |
Feels °C | 2 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 11 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 7 | 11 | 10 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 12 | N 12 | — | — | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | N 5 | NNW 8 | — | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 |
| kJ | — | 3 | 3 | — | — | 6 | 17 | 12 | 13 | — | 417 | 249 | 126 | 137 | 162 | 85 | 40 | 24 | 12 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 13 | N 12 | N 12 | N 11 | N 12 | NNW 11 | NNW 10 | NNW 8 | — | — | NNW 18 | N 18 | NW 16 | NW 16 | NW 15 | — | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | ENE 4 |
| kJ | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 11 | 9 | 14 | — | — | 32 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 9 | — | 2 | 3 | 1 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | N 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 15 | N 14 | N 20 | NE 5 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 4 | 8 | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | NW 4 | — | — | N 5 | N 5 | — | NNW 9 | — | SSW 3 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | — | — | 17 | 97 | — | 586 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 83 | 83 | 88 | 83 | 83 | 83 | 83 | 38 | 83 | 129 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 7 | 83 | 14 | 14 | 88 | 83 |
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
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