Scarborough Surf Break

Lat Long: 43.57° S 172.77° E

Scarborough Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 11 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Scarborough sea temperature is
10.3° C
0.9° 

Scarborough surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Scarborough surf forecast from 11 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 17 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period, E swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 14s period, ESE swell with 789 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 16 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 16s period with E swell.

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 (Jul 16) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 4s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Scarborough in the next 16 days are 1.4m 14s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 7s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 18) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Thu 16th Jul)1.5ft (0.4m) 16s
Best Surf 6AM (Fri 17th Jul)2.5ft (0.8m) 16s
Most Powerful12PM (Sat 18th Jul)4.5ft (1.4m) 14s

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


Alright, let’s get into it. This is Rusty.

First up, we’ve got Scarborough. It’s a beginner spot that’s inconsistent and sometimes gets crowded. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing wild there.

The start of this 16-day run is a bit of a write-off. From Sunday the 12th right through to Wednesday the 15th, it’s just tiny, weak waves with poor conditions. You’re looking at 0.6ft to 2ft of mostly short-period, weak energy swell. Not worth paddling out for.

Thursday the 16th afternoon finally shows a glimmer – a 1ft swell with a 15-second period, glassy conditions, and the energy picks up. It’s surfable, but still very ordinary.

Now, Friday the 17th is where things start to get interesting. The morning brings a 3ft swell from the east with a very long 16-second period, and it’s glassy. The energy is solid. The afternoon is even better: 3ft, still 16 seconds, clean cross-off wind. This is the first real standout of the outlook. The long period will make the waves shapely, but at a beach break like Scarborough, it might be a bit straight. Still, for the size, it’s the best we’ve seen.

Saturday the 18th has a bit more size (3ft to 3ft) and strong offshore wind, but it’s gusty at 19 to 22 mph, and the energy is high. The conditions are described as “fresh offshore and clean,” but the wind is strong. It’s a tricky call – might be more for the experienced.

We then hit a quiet patch from Sunday the 19th to Tuesday the 21st. The swell drops back to 1ft to 3ft, with energy in the moderate range, but the wind is onshore or cross-onshore, making it poor. Not worth it.

Then, Wednesday the 22nd morning is a big standout. The swell jumps to 6ft from the east, with a 12-second period, and it’s clean with a gentle offshore wind. The energy is high. This is “very good surf conditions” – the best call in the whole run. The size is pushing into intermediate territory, but it’s clean and powerful.

Thursday the 23rd morning is also excellent: 6ft from the ENE, 13 seconds, clean cross-off wind, and high energy. Again, very good.

Friday the 24th morning is a monster – 16ft from the ENE with a 14-second period and massive energy. This is way too big for Scarborough. It’s a warning: “the swell is predicted to be too big for this break.” Only for experts, and even then, it’s a beast. The afternoon settles to 6ft, glassy, and very good.

Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th mornings are both solid: 6ft and 5ft, clean or glassy, with high energy. Very good, consistent waves.

Monday the 27th morning is a letdown – the wind is strong and cross-onshore, ruining the 5ft swell.

So, the true standouts are Friday the 17th for the first clean, long-period swell, and Wednesday the 22nd through Saturday the 25th for the consistent, bigger, clean surf. The 22nd morning is probably the pick of the whole outlook.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue morning, min 5°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat night, fresh winds from the N by Tue afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue night, min 6°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Sat
18
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
2
2
0
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
E
9
0.5
E
9
0.4
E
9
1.1
NE
5
0.5
ENE
6
0.9
NNE
4
1
NNE
4
0.9
NNE
4
0.9
NNE
4
1
NE
5
0.3
NE
5
0.4
NE
6
0.2
E
14
0.3
E
13
0.4
E
15
0.6
E
17
0.8
E
16
0.9
E
16
0.9
ESE
15
0.9
ESE
15
0.8
ESE
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
62
41
26
51
17
25
39
25
27
47
4
11
15
28
72
205
322
391
395
365
276
Wind (km/h)
5
NW
5
NNE
15
ENE
10
NE
10
NNE
25
NNE
15
NNW
10
NNW
30
N
15
N
15
WSW
10
ESE
10
ENE
5
WNW
5
NNE
5
WNW
5
WNW
5
W
15
SE
25
SW
35
SW
Wind State
glassy
glassy
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
off
cross-on
on
glassy
glassy
glassy
glassy
cross-off
cross
off
off
High Tide
1:46AM2.30m
2:14PM2.51m
2:46AM2.37m
3:12PM2.58m
3:43AM2.42m
4:09PM2.63m
4:38AM2.46m
5:05PM2.63m
5:33AM2.46m
6:00PM2.60m
6:29AM2.43m
6:54PM2.53m
7:25AM2.39m
Low Tide
7:54AM0.38m
8:35PM0.41m
8:52AM0.32m
9:32PM0.32m
9:51AM0.25m
10:29PM0.26m
10:50AM0.19m
11:25PM0.22m
11:46AM0.15m
00:21AM0.23m
12:39PM0.15m
1:14AM0.26m
1:32PM0.22m
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
mod rain
light rain
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:58
7:58
7:58
7:56
7:56
7:56
7:54
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:08
5:09
5:10
5:12
5:12
5:13
5:14
 mm
8
2
1
Temp °C
6
7
8
8
11
13
13
15
15
14
10
10
9
9
11
9
10
13
9
7
7
Feels °C
3
4
4
4
5
6
6
10
9
9
8
7
6
7
9
7
7
10
6
0
-2
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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