Surf Forecasts:
Ruby Bay surf forecast from 16 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 17 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 7s period, N swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 7s period, N swell with 254 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 17 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 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 Thursday (Sep 17) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 7s 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 1.7m 7s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 8s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 17) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Thu 17th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Thu 17th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Thu 17th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Ruby Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what Ruby Bay's got cookin' for us over the next few weeks.
Honestly, mate, this is a tough one. Looking at the whole 16-day picture, Ruby Bay is going to be a pretty quiet stretch. For a spot that's described as "rarely breaks", we're in for a long, flat spell. There’s a massive gap from Saturday the 19th of September all the way through to Monday the 28th of September where there is zero wave energy to speak of – just flat, glassy conditions with nothing to ride. It's a real drought.
The only real chance for a surf comes right at the start. On Wednesday the 16th of September, we see a tiny pulse. The morning offers a weak 1.0ft swell from the north, but that's a tiny, short-period 4-second windswell with combined energy of only 4 – barely a ripple. The water temp is sitting at 55°F which is about average for this time of year, so the wetsuit will feel normal. The afternoon is a little better, with a small 3ft swell from the NNW, also a short period of 5 seconds (energy of 39), but the wind goes glassy. That clean surface will make it look pretty, but the wave itself is just too small to be any fun for anyone.
Thursday the 17th of September sees the swell bump up to 4ft in the morning and 6ft in the afternoon from the north, with periods of 6-7 seconds. The combined energy hits 254 in the afternoon, so there’s some moderate power there. But the wind is a cross-onshore breeze at 9 mph, messing up the surface. It'll be choppy, and not the clean faces we want. The smaller 2ft on Friday morning with glassy conditions would be pretty again, but still too small to get the heart racing.
The standout, if you can call it that, would be the Thursday afternoon (17th September). With the biggest swell of the period at 6ft from the north and moderate energy (254), it has the most size. However, this spot is sheltered from the north swell direction it's receiving, and the cross-onshore wind will make it bumpy. For a point break that's already inconsistent, this looks more like a messy, blown-out option than a classic day. A north swell direction is not the optimum for this sheltered bay.
For the rest of the window, there is nothing else to recommend. The blank run is long and looks normal for this rarely-breaking setup.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed afternoon, min 7°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon afternoon, min 5°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | Tuesday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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 5 | NNW 5 | N 6 | N 7 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | NNW 15 | NNW 15 | NW 6 | NNW 14 | NNW 15 | NE 3 | NW 16 | NNW 16 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 3 | 39 | 17 | 103 | 254 | 127 | 42 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | glassy | glassy | off | glassy | glassy | cross-off | off | off | glassy | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 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 | 5:13AM2.93m | 5:51PM2.93m | 6:32AM3.02m | 7:22PM3.10m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 10:58AM1.83m | 00:12AM1.83m | 12:30PM1.71m | 1:16AM1.66m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | |  | | |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — |
 | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:17 | — | — | 6:19 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:21 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — |
mm | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 16 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 7 | 15 | 17 | 11 | 16 | 16 | 8 |
Feels °C | 12 | 15 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 6 | 12 | 12 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 4 | 12 | 14 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 3 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 5 | — | NNE 6 | — | — | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | NNW 16 | NNW 15 | NW 4 | NNW 5 | NNW 14 | — | NW 16 | NW 16 | NNW 16 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | ENE 3 | ENE 3 |
| kJ | 7 | — | 3 | — | — | 127 | 42 | 10 | 24 | 22 | 7 | 16 | 78 | — | 124 | 69 | 24 | 9 | 9 | 2 | 1 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 4 | — | NW 11 | — | — | NNW 17 | NNW 16 | NNW 16 | N 7 | NW 4 | NNW 15 | NNW 16 | NNW 5 | — | NE 3 | — | NNW 6 | NW 15 | NW 14 | NW 14 | NNW 15 |
| kJ | 3 | — | 5 | — | — | 28 | 25 | 24 | 1 | 1 | 23 | 26 | 4 | — | 2 | — | 4 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 22 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 4 |
| kJ | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | N 6 | N 7 | — | — | — | SW 3 | — | — | NW 6 | WSW 3 | NNW 15 | — | SSW 2 | — | — | — | NNW 5 | — |
| kJ | — | 39 | 17 | 103 | 254 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 106 | 7 | 167 | — | 1 | — | — | — | 8 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 88 | 95 | 88 | 125 | 115 | 14 | 14 | 129 | 88 | 83 | 83 | 115 | 125 | 21 | 83 | 83 | 129 | 88 | 125 | 133 | 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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