Surf Forecasts:
Ruby Bay surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 7s period, N swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 8s period, N swell with 555 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 7s 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 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 7s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Ruby Bay in the next 16 days are 2.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) 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 3.0m 9s period and expected on Friday (Aug 28) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Ruby Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get real about Ruby Bay. I’m Rusty, and I’m looking at the charts for you. It’s a tough stretch ahead, so let’s break it down.
First off, Ruby Bay is a point break, and it’s a beginner-friendly spot, but it’s one of those places that "rarely breaks." It's sheltered from the swell, so you need just the right angle. The water temp is sitting around 53°, which is pretty much spot on for this time of year, nothing unusual there.
Right now, there is absolutely no surf to speak of. For the first several days, from Sunday the 23rd right through to the end of the week, it’s a flat spell. The wind is mostly offshore or glassy, which would be fantastic if there was any wave energy, but the combined swell energy is just a big fat zero (0). You’re looking at a solid blank run for almost a week.
The first real glimmer of hope shows up early on Friday the 28th of August. That morning, we’ve got a pulse of 7 ft swell from the North, with a period of 8 seconds. That’s not super long period, but the energy jumps to a moderate 555. The wind is glassy, so the surf will be clean. The rating is still a "good surf conditions" call, so it’s the standout. But heads up: 7 ft is getting into expert territory if you’re not comfortable in bigger surf. For a beginner spot, that’s a serious step up.
After that Friday morning pulse, it fades fast. The afternoon drops to 4 ft and it’s cross-offshore, not as clean. From there, the surf disappears again. There’s a brief moment on Sunday the 6th of September with a 5 ft NW swell in the afternoon, but the energy is weak (129) and it’s still a "poor surf conditions" call. Not worth getting too excited about that far out.
So, if you’re waiting for a wave, the one true standout is that Friday the 28th of August morning session. It’s a glassy, clean 7 ft north swell. After that, it’s back to waiting. This is a spot that needs a very specific alignment of swell and wind, and unfortunately, the forecast isn’t lining up much beyond that one morning.
Stay patient, check back, and I’ll keep you posted.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 7°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 22mm), heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri morning, min 10°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | N 18 | NNW 11 | NNW 15 | NW 15 | NNW 15 | NNW 15 | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | NW 5 | NW 5 | NW 5 | N 17 | NNW 5 | N 6 | N 8 | N 7 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | NNW 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 26 | 6 | 36 | 233 | 555 | 152 | 78 | 26 | 15 | 0 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | glassy | off | off | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross-on | off |
High Tide | 6:38PM3.06m | 7:06AM3.04m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:37AM1.83m | 00:53AM1.80m | 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 | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — |
 | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — |
mm | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 12 | 10 | 15 | 16 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 7 |
Feels °C | 10 | 7 | 4 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 14 | 13 | 9 | 12 | 10 | 4 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 7 | NNW 4 | NW 4 | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | NW 5 | NW 4 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | — | — | N 8 | N 7 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | NNW 7 |
| kJ | 463 | 308 | 73 | 19 | 18 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 7 | — | — | 555 | 152 | 78 | 26 | 15 | 11 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 17 | N 18 | NNW 14 | NNW 15 | NW 15 | NNW 15 | NNW 15 | NW 15 | NW 14 | NW 14 | NW 14 | NW 14 | N 13 | — | — | — | NNW 9 | N 23 | N 22 | NW 21 | NW 19 |
| kJ | 11 | 6 | 77 | 89 | 57 | 23 | 23 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 3 | — | — | — | 64 | 11 | 9 | 17 | 14 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NNW 11 | — | — | NNW 6 | NW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | N 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 | — |
| kJ | — | — | 78 | — | — | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 9 | — | WSW 4 | — | NW 7 | W 2 | — | — | SW 2 | SW 3 | NW 5 | NW 5 | — | NNW 5 | N 6 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | — | SSW 2 | — | — |
| kJ | 1272 | — | 7 | — | 69 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 2 | 16 | 26 | — | 36 | 233 | 1254 | 742 | — | 1 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 14 | 125 | 125 | 14 | 83 | 83 | 115 | 32 | 115 | 83 | 83 | 83 | 83 | 83 | 148 | 0 | 7 | 14 | 32 | 142 | 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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