Surf Forecasts:
Ruby Bay surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 17 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 6s period, NNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 6s period, NNW swell with 164 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 17 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 6s period with NNW 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 Thursday (Sep 17) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 6s. 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 1.5m 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 0.7m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Ruby Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk Ruby Bay. Over this 16-day window, it’s a total dud. No surf to speak of. The first days are flat, and it stays that way—every single entry says “poor surf conditions,” and the combined swell energy barely hits double digits. The best it gets is a 42 on September 16th, and that’s still weak.
Ruby Bay is a point break that rarely breaks, built for beginners, and tucked away from real swell. Water temp is 55°F, right around average for this time of year—0.4°F off, so nothing unusual. The little bumps we see come from the north mostly, which is the direction the spot wants, but the swell heights are tiny, like 0.3 ft to 1.0 ft, and the periods are short—2 to 8 seconds mostly. A couple of 15-second pulses show up on September 15th and 22nd, but with heights of 0.3 ft, they’re not worth driving for.
There are some glassy mornings—September 14th, 15th, 21st, 22nd—but with no swell, it’s just a pretty lake. The strongest offshore wind is 9 mph from the SW on September 19th morning, but it only pushes a 0.7 ft bump with a 8-second period and combined energy of 5. Nothing.
For a spot that rarely breaks, a long stretch of nothing isn’t weird. It’s more normal than not. The forecast can always flip, but right now, there’s zero to get excited about. No standouts, no waves.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun morning, min 6°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 3°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NW 16 | NNW 2 | NW 17 | NNW 17 | NE 3 | NNW 16 | NW 16 | NW 16 | NW 15 | NW 15 | N 15 | N 6 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NW 5 | NNW 6 | N 5 | N 5 | N 6 | N 6 | N 6 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 28 | 53 | 164 | 19 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross | off | off | on | glassy | glassy | on | off | glassy | glassy | off | off | on | glassy | glassy | off | off | glassy | on | off |
High Tide | 10:42AM4.16m | 10:57PM4.28m | 11:19AM4.19m | 11:32PM4.22m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:34PM0.57m | 4:50AM0.49m | 5:06PM0.59m | 5:24AM0.58m | 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 | ||||||||
 | |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | |  |  |  | | | | | |
 | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — |
 | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:17 | — | — | 6:19 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 9 | 17 | 15 | 10 | 15 | 14 | 9 | 16 | 17 | 11 | 16 | 16 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 7 |
Feels °C | 11 | 11 | 5 | 15 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 14 | 16 | 8 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 4 | 8 | 9 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 16 | NW 16 | NW 17 | NNW 17 | NNW 17 | ENE 3 | NW 16 | NW 16 | NW 15 | NW 15 | N 15 | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | — | NNW 5 | N 6 | N 5 | N 5 | NNW 16 | NNW 16 | NW 16 |
| kJ | 67 | 67 | 44 | 28 | 28 | 1 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 4 | — | 17 | 50 | 19 | 5 | 25 | 25 | 10 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 5 | — | NNW 5 | NNW 4 | NW 5 | NNW 16 | NW 5 | — | — | — | NW 4 | — | WNW 4 | — | NW 11 | NW 15 | NW 15 | NNW 17 | N 6 | N 6 | NW 5 |
| kJ | 2 | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | 25 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | 5 | 9 | 9 | 29 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NW 11 | — | NW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | N 6 | — | — | — | N 10 | NW 9 | — | — | — | N 6 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 18 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 3 | NNW 2 | WSW 2 | SW 3 | NE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 2 | WSW 3 | — | NNW 5 | NW 5 | NNW 6 | ESE 2 | — | — | — | SW 2 |
| kJ | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 28 | 53 | 164 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 142 | 125 | 83 | 83 | 116 | 38 | 38 | 129 | 83 | 83 | 129 | 115 | 88 | 95 | 14 | 0 | 38 | 38 | 83 | 179 | 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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