Surf Forecasts:
Ruby Bay surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 6s period, NNW swell with 82 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 1.1m 6s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 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 seeing a rough stretch. This is a sheltered point that only rarely breaks, and for the first twelve days or so, we’ve got nothing but flatness. It’s a real test of your patience. The water temp is about 48°, which is normal for this time of year, so at least you won’t be shivering on top of the flat spell.
From now until the end of August, we get a few tiny pulses that never really materialize. You might see a day around Friday the 21st with a tiny 0.3ft to 4ft of inconsistent junk, and a bump on the 24th with 2ft to 3ft from the NNW, but the period is short and the energy is minimal. It’s all "poor surf conditions" across the board. Honestly, don’t bother paddling out.
But then, Sunday the 30th of August... that’s the one. We get a serious jump in size. Morning brings 8ft of north swell with a 10-second period, and the energy shoots up to a very strong 1155. In the afternoon it builds even more to a solid 10ft from the north, now with an 11-second period, and the energy is pumping at 1795. The wind is glassy in the afternoon – light offshore in the morning, turning dead glass in the arvo. That’s going to be clean, raw power. This swell is big though – over 8ft – so this is strictly for experienced surfers only. Beginners, stay on the beach and watch the show.
Monday the 31st still offers a decent 5ft north swell, with a long 12-second period and clean offshore winds in the morning. The energy is still a solid 686. That’s a good backup day, but it fades out by the afternoon with onshore winds shutting it down.
So to sum it up: the first twelve days are a total write-off. No surf. Then, Sunday the 30th of August is the standout – a big, powerful, clean day of north swell at Ruby Bay. It’s a short, punchy window for the experts. After that, it drops off again.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Tue morning, min 2°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 4°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu morning, fresh winds from the WSW by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | |||||||||||||||
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 15 | NW 15 | NW 15 | NW 14 | NW 14 | NW 15 | NW 17 | NW 16 | NW 16 | NW 15 | N 4 | N 14 | N 16 | NW 6 | NW 4 | N 14 | NW 7 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | N 6 | NNW 5 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 69 | 13 | 4 | 0 | 82 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | on | off | off | cross-on | off | glassy | on | off | off | on | off | off | glassy | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 1:00PM4.02m | 1:15AM3.98m | 1:36PM3.85m | 1:54AM3.75m | 2:12PM3.65m | 2:35AM3.50m | 2:52PM3.45m | 3:25AM3.25m | 3:40PM3.24m | 4:28AM3.05m | 4:51PM3.08m | 5:47AM2.97m | 6:38PM3.06m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:41PM0.86m | 7:07AM0.95m | 7:14PM1.09m | 7:46AM1.17m | 7:51PM1.36m | 8:28AM1.40m | 8:40PM1.63m | 9:18AM1.61m | 9:59PM1.84m | 10:19AM1.77m | 11:37PM1.89m | 11:37AM1.83m | 00:53AM1.80m | ||||||||
 | |  | | |  | | | | | | | | |  |  | | | | |  | |
 | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — |
 | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 3 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 8 | 8 | 3 | 13 | 13 | 6 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 12 | 13 | 8 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 10 |
Feels °C | 5 | 4 | 0 | 11 | 10 | 3 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 10 | 11 | 6 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 15 | NW 15 | NW 15 | NW 14 | NW 14 | NW 15 | NW 17 | NW 16 | NW 16 | NW 15 | NW 15 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | N 7 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | — | NNW 6 | N 6 | NNW 6 |
| kJ | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 30 | 1 | 37 | 66 | — | 50 | 31 | 8 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 6 | — | — | W 5 | — | — | W 5 | — | NW 4 | — | N 14 | N 16 | N 16 | N 15 | N 14 | — | — | NW 17 | NW 12 | NW 16 |
| kJ | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | — | — | 11 | 5 | 40 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 15 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | SW 2 | — | — | — | — | N 4 | — | — | NW 6 | NW 4 | — | NW 7 | NNW 6 | — | — | NNW 5 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 69 | 13 | — | 263 | 82 | — | — | 21 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 83 | 88 | 83 | 83 | 83 | 83 | 83 | 149 | 83 | 83 | 88 | 83 | 83 | 83 | 83 | 14 | 115 | 129 | 115 | 192 | 125 |
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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