Scarborough surf break

Scarborough surfForecast / Canterbury / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 am Thursday 02 Apr 2026 NZDT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Scarborough surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Scarborough sea temperature is
16.4° C
(Which is 3.1°C warmer than normal for this time of year)

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Scarborough this week:

The surf forecast for Scarborough over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Apr 02) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 4s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m and 4s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Scarborough in the next 16 days are 2.1m 8s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Apr 07) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Apr 05) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10AM (Thu 2nd Apr)1.5ft (0.4m) 12s
Best Surf10AM (Thu 2nd Apr)1.5ft (0.4m) 12s
Most Powerful 9AM (Tue 7th Apr)7ft (2.1m) 8s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Scarborough over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
02
Friday
03
Saturday
04
Sunday
05
Monday
06
Tuesday
07
Wed
08
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.4
SSE
0.4
SE
0.4
SE
0.6
SE
0.5
SE
0.4
SE
0.3
SE
0.9
NNW
0.4
ENE
0.4
NE
0.5
SE
0.4
ESE
0.3
ENE
0.4
ENE
0.6
ENE
1.4
ENE
2.1
ENE
1.1
ENE
1
ENE
1
E
0.9
ENE
Period(s) (?)141216161312114775610101078881110
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)7339641968837192718121412203285186508159137233170
Wind
(km/h)
10
ENE
5
NE
15
E
15
E
5
NNW
10
NE
10
WSW
10
NNW
20
SW
0
E
5
E
10
ESE
5
SE
0
W
15
E
25
NE
20
ENE
15
ENE
20
NE
10
W
5
NE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
onglasscross-
on
cross-
on
glassoncross-
off
crossoffglassglasscrosscrossglasscross-
on
oncross-
on
cross-
on
oncross-
off
glass
High Tide
/ height (m)
5:19AM
2.24
5:46PM
2.23
6:08AM
2.22
6:39PM
2.25
6:57AM
2.19
7:29PM
2.26
7:45AM
2.15
8:14PM
2.25
8:33AM
2.12
8:56PM
2.22
9:21AM
2.08
9:36PM
2.18
10:06AM
2.05
Low Tide
/ height (m)
11:12PM
0.47
11:35AM
0.49
12:02AM
0.51
12:23PM
0.52
12:50AM
0.56
1:09PM
0.57
1:36AM
0.63
1:52PM
0.63
2:21AM
0.69
2:33PM
0.70
3:05AM
0.74
3:16PM
0.77
3:49AM
0.77
4:00PM
0.81
Thursday
02
Friday
03
Saturday
04
Sunday
05
Monday
06
Tuesday
07
Wed
08
Sunrise-7:45--7:46--7:47--7:48--7:50--7:50--7:52-
Sunset--7:19--7:16--7:15--7:13--7:12--7:09--7:07
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
Rain (mm)
---------31------2---
Temp. °C121716131719161713121313131414141415151719
Feels °C (?)9151311151613159111212111413111113121518
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Quick surf report for Scarborough:

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Information about the Scarborough Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Scarborough provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Scarborough can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Scarborough 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 (Scarborough) 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 Scarborough 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 Canterbury? If you are looking for accommodation near Scarborough, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Canterbury, consider staying in Christchurch which is 9 km (6 miles) away.

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