Surf Forecasts:
Ruby Bay surf forecast from 14 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 6s period, N swell with 123 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Ruby Bay this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Ruby Bay in the next 16 days are 1.3m 6s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) 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 1.6m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 17) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Ruby Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let me break it down for you: Ruby Bay is going through a rough patch. This point break rarely breaks, and over the next 16 days, there’s hardly a wave worth paddling for. We’re looking at a long, flat run with next to no energy hitting the bank.
The first real chance for a surf doesn’t come until Thursday, September 17th. Even then, it’s slim pickings. Thursday morning brings a tiny pulse of 4ft swell from the north, with a short period of 6 seconds. Total wave energy sits at a weak 123 (moderate), and while the wind is glassy from the WSW, that’s about the only good news. The water temp is 55°, which is about average for this time of year, so nothing wild there.
After that, it fades fast. Friday the 18th has a dribble of 1ft from the north, period 8 seconds, energy down to 22 (weak). Glassy again in the morning, but still, poor surf conditions are the story. Saturday and Sunday, September 20th and 21st, see decent offshore winds from the SW, gusting up to 15 mph Sunday, but the swell is virtually nonexistent. The wave heights are either blank or a pathetic 1ft with a 2-second period. That’s not surf—that’s a lake. For a beach or point setup, this is more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.
The entire second week is just as bleak. From Monday, September 22nd, all the way through to Tuesday, September 29th, it’s the same story: tiny slivers of north or northeast swell, periods rarely above 8 seconds, and wave energy often in the single digits. There’s a 0.3ft pulse with a 14-second period on the 25th, but that’s so small it’s barely a ripple. The winds are mostly offshore or glassy, which is cruel—clean conditions with no waves.
Honestly, there are no standout days. No big swell, no clean groundswell, no quality. The only positive is that Ruby Bay is a sheltered point, so when it does turn on, it can be a gem. But for this 16-day window, it’s a write-off. The forecasts can change though, and it doesn’t stay this flat forever.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed afternoon, min 6°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat afternoon, min 4°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | |||||||||||||||
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) | N 5 | NW 16 | NW 15 | NW 15 | NW 15 | NNW 5 | NW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | N 6 | N 6 | N 7 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | NNW 15 | NW 5 | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | NE 2 | NW 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 51 | 50 | 123 | 62 | 52 | 22 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | off | glassy | on | off | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | off | glassy | on | off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 11:53AM4.14m | 00:06AM4.09m | 12:27PM4.03m | 00:40AM3.90m | 1:00PM3.88m | 1:16AM3.67m | 1:33PM3.69m | 1:56AM3.41m | 2:10PM3.48m | 2:45AM3.16m | 2:53PM3.23m | 3:50AM2.98m | 3:58PM3.01m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:36PM0.69m | 5:57AM0.73m | 6:05PM0.86m | 6:32AM0.93m | 6:37PM1.08m | 7:08AM1.14m | 7:12PM1.33m | 7:47AM1.37m | 7:57PM1.58m | 8:35AM1.59m | 9:04PM1.80m | 9:36AM1.77m | 10:42PM1.89m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | | |  |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:31 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — |
 | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:17 | — | — | 6:19 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:21 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 9 | 15 | 15 | 9 | 15 | 16 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 8 | 13 | 13 | 9 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 7 |
Feels °C | 13 | 13 | 8 | 13 | 13 | 7 | 12 | 14 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 4 | 11 | 10 | 5 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 3 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 16 | NW 16 | NW 15 | NW 15 | NW 15 | NNW 5 | NW 4 | — | — | NW 16 | N 6 | N 7 | N 8 | N 8 | NNW 16 | NNW 15 | NW 5 | NW 17 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | NW 15 |
| kJ | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 4 | 9 | — | — | 10 | 62 | 52 | 22 | 12 | 24 | 21 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 37 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 16 | NNW 17 | NNW 16 | NNW 16 | NNW 3 | NW 5 | NW 15 | NW 18 | NW 16 | NNW 11 | NNW 7 |
| kJ | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 28 | 25 | 24 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 9 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 17 | — | NW 12 | N 7 | — | — | — | — | NW 15 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 75 | — | 5 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 9 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 2 | NW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | N 6 | SW 2 | SSE 3 | — | — | — | WSW 3 | — | NNW 4 | — | NE 2 | SW 2 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 43 | 51 | 50 | 123 | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | 1 | — | 11 | — | 1 | 2 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 38 | 129 | 83 | 83 | 137 | 88 | 95 | 95 | 116 | 14 | 83 | 14 | 14 | 169 | 83 | 83 | 129 | 83 | 125 | 170 | 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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