
Surf Forecasts:
Scarborough surf forecast from 8 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 10 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 8s period, SE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 8s period, ENE swell with 504 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 10 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 8s period with SE 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 Monday (Aug 10) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be offshore 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 Thursday (Aug 13) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 15) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Mon 10th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Mon 10th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Scarborough over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get a look at the charts. Honestly, the next 16 days are a bit of a struggle for Scarborough. The swell is small and inconsistent pretty much right through, with a few moments where it might just be worth a paddle if you’re really keen.
The first real chance of anything surfable comes on Friday, August 14th. Up until then, it’s a real flat spell. From Saturday the 8th right through to Thursday the 13th, the swell is tiny, mostly under 3 feet, and the energy is weak (52 to 188). The winds are onshore or cross-on most of that time, so it’s not doing anyone any favours. You’re looking at a solid six-day gap with basically nothing to ride.
Friday the 14th sees a slight shift. The morning brings some waist-high swell from the east at 3 feet, with a period of 8 seconds, and the wind swings offshore from the west-southwest at 12 mph. It’s small, but clean. The energy is moderate (135). This is the first time we get a “surfable” call, but it’s very ordinary. The afternoon is similar but a touch smaller. Saturday the 15th also has offshore winds and 3 feet swell from the east, but the light rain doesn’t help the vibe. The energy stays moderate (150). Not a standout, but if you’re desperate, it’s the best of a bad bunch early on.
The real highlight – and I mean the only one worth getting excited about – is Tuesday, August 18th. The morning shows a bump in swell to 4 feet from the southeast, with a period of 11 seconds. That’s a solid groundswell, and the energy jumps to 287 (moderate to strong). The wind is cross-offshore from the west-southwest at 9 mph, keeping things reasonably clean. The afternoon cleans up even more with light offshore winds from the southwest at 6 mph, and the swell is still a fun 3 feet. This is the best session on offer, with cleaner conditions and more push. It’s the one morning to really circle.
After that, the swell drops back into the 2 feet to 3 feet range for the rest of the outlook. Wednesday morning the 19th is glassy with a 2 feet southeast swell, and the water temp is 49°, which is about average for this time of year. The anomaly is only 0.4°, so nothing unusual there. The water is cold, as expected. Thursday the 20th and Friday the 21st have clean morning windows with offshore or glassy winds, but the swell is tiny (2 feet to 3 feet) and the energy is weak to moderate (106 to 154). It’s just small, weak surf.
The final weekend, Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd, is glassy but very small, with swell under 1 feet and periods up to 14 seconds. That’s a long period but no power behind it. Not worth wetting a wetsuit for.
So, to sum it up: the first week is a write-off. The second week offers a single standout on Tuesday morning, August 18th, with a clean 4 feet southeast groundswell. Everything else is small, weak, and very ordinary. For a beginner, even the Tuesday swell is manageable, but don’t expect barrels. It’s a quiet run, but as always, forecasts can change.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun afternoon, min 7°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Wed afternoon, min 8°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | NE 7 | ENE 6 | SE 9 | E 14 | SE 9 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 7 | ENE 5 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | E 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
27 | 15 | 35 | 53 | 33 | 14 | 14 | 30 | 37 | 35 | 19 | 97 | 172 | 176 | 504 | 105 | 127 | 147 | 127 | 112 | 119 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | off | off | off | cross-off | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | off | off | off |
High Tide | 12:02PM2.36m | 00:31AM2.25m | 1:00PM2.42m | 1:29AM2.29m | 1:56PM2.47m | 2:26AM2.34m | 2:51PM2.51m | 3:21AM2.39m | 3:46PM2.53m | 4:13AM2.40m | 4:40PM2.52m | 5:06AM2.39m | 5:33PM2.48m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:24PM0.53m | 6:42AM0.42m | 7:21PM0.45m | 7:36AM0.36m | 8:15PM0.36m | 8:33AM0.29m | 9:09PM0.29m | 9:31AM0.23m | 10:03PM0.26m | 10:27AM0.18m | 10:59PM0.26m | 11:21AM0.17m | 11:53PM0.27m | ||||||||
7:33 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | |
— | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 10 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 8 |
Feels °C | 8 | 7 | 5 | 9 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 14 | ENE 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | E 9 |
27 | 15 | 35 | 8 | 33 | 14 | 8 | 19 | 32 | 19 | 19 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 159 | 105 | 4 | 147 | 127 | 112 | 119 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | SE 13 | SE 10 | SSE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | ESE 11 | S 16 | S 16 | SE 14 | E 14 | E 14 | SE 10 | E 13 | E 13 | E 14 | E 15 |
16 | 15 | 7 | 15 | 9 | 14 | 13 | 30 | 37 | 35 | 13 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 4 | 15 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 10 | E 14 | NE 4 | SE 12 | SE 12 | E 13 | E 14 | ENE 6 | NE 8 | E 7 | S 12 | S 10 | — | S 20 | SE 9 | SE 11 | S 16 | S 16 | E 16 | S 16 | S 18 |
9 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 14 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 11 | 18 | — | 8 | 3 | 4 | 21 | 20 | 5 | 20 | 6 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NE 7 | N 3 | SW 3 | — | SW 3 | — | — | ENE 2 | ENE 5 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | — | ENE 8 | — | — | SW 2 | SSW 3 |
— | — | — | 53 | 3 | 2 | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | 97 | 172 | 176 | 504 | — | 127 | — | — | 2 | 3 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 33 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 23 | 32 | 7 | 0 | 23 | 33 | 33 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Canterbury | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
Latest Updates
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.











