Surf Forecasts:
Ruby Bay surf forecast from 22 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 8s period, N swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 8s period, N swell with 310 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 29 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 8s 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 Saturday (Aug 29) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 8s 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 1.6m 8s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 6AM. 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 8s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Ruby Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s look at what’s coming for Ruby Bay (sheltered point) over the next couple of weeks. Water temp is sitting at 53°F, which is about 0.9°F cooler than average for this time of year, so pretty standard.
Mate, it’s a tough outlook for Ruby Bay. This spot rarely breaks, and for the next week or so, it’s basically flat. From now through the end of August, you’ve got a lot of glassy mornings and tiny dribbles—0.7ft to 3ft on the odd session—but all marked as poor surf conditions. The combined swell energy is weak, barely hitting 38 on the afternoon of Saturday the 22nd of August. You might get a glassy surface, but no wave to ride.
The first real pulse is on the morning of Saturday the 29th of August. We’ve got a 4ft swell from the north, period of 8 seconds, and combined energy jumps up to 201 (moderate). Wind is cross-off from the northwest at only 3 mph, so it’ll be clean. The wave comment says surfable but very ordinary. For Ruby Bay, that’s the best on offer. Crowds are possible when it breaks.
After that, it’s back to flatness until the afternoon of Sunday the 6th of September, when a bigger pulse hits: 7ft from the north, 8-second period, and combined energy of 597 (strong). But the wind is cross-on from the east at 3 mph, with light ripples. The wave comment says marginal. At that size, it’s expert territory with short-period windswell that won’t hold shape. Might be more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.
The standout is Saturday the 29th of August morning with that clean 4ft north swell. Otherwise, it’s a long blank run, which is normal for a rarely-breaking spot.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 7°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Tue night. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed afternoon, min 10°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | |||||||||||||||
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 4 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | N 9 | N 18 | NNW 8 | NNW 15 | NW 15 | NNW 15 | NW 6 | NNW 4 | NW 6 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NW 14 | N 17 | NNW 4 | NW 5 | NW 5 | NNW 4 | N 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1 | 34 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 23 | 62 | 23 | 27 | 306 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | glassy | glassy | glassy | off | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 4:51PM3.08m | 5:47AM2.97m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:19AM1.77m | 11:37PM1.89m | 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 | ||||||||
 | |  | |  |  | | |  |  | |  |  | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — |
 | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — |
mm | — | — | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 1 | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 10 |
Temp °C | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 14 | 15 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 |
Feels °C | 11 | 13 | 9 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 4 | N 13 | — | NW 17 | N 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 15 | NNW 7 | NW 4 | NW 4 | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | — | NNW 5 | NNW 4 | — | — |
| kJ | 5 | 4 | — | 11 | 240 | 94 | 91 | 18 | 5 | 9 | 8 | 15 | 22 | 8 | 2 | 7 | — | 17 | 6 | — | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 4 | — | — | — | N 18 | NW 12 | N 8 | NW 15 | NNW 15 | NNW 15 | NW 15 | NW 14 | NW 15 | NW 14 | NW 14 | NW 13 | — | NW 16 | NW 15 | — | — |
| kJ | 1 | — | — | — | 6 | 23 | 29 | 58 | 23 | 23 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | — | 10 | 8 | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 15 | — | — | NNW 6 | — | W 11 | — | — | — | — | N 17 | — | — | N 8 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 22 | — | — | 4 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | 1 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | N 9 | — | WSW 3 | WSW 2 | — | WSW 2 | NW 6 | — | NW 6 | — | — | — | — | NNW 4 | NW 5 | NW 5 | NNW 4 | N 7 |
| kJ | — | 34 | 176 | 347 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 56 | — | 60 | — | — | — | — | 23 | 62 | 23 | 27 | 306 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 83 | 129 | 129 | 14 | 125 | 125 | 14 | 83 | 115 | 115 | 115 | 14 | 88 | 83 | 83 | 83 | 125 | 83 | 83 | 129 | 142 |
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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