Surf Forecasts:
Scarborough surf forecast from 29 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 2 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 13s period, SE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 2 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 13s period, SE swell with 553 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 1 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 12s period with SSE 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 Saturday (Aug 01) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 15s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Scarborough in the next 16 days are 1.3m 13s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 02) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 15s period and expected on Monday (Aug 03) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Sat 1st Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Scarborough over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s run through it in feet and Fahrenheit.
Water’s about normal for this time of year. First few days? Forget it. Tiny swell, 2ft or less, and the wind’s all cross-onshore making a mess. Not worth the wax.
Friday afternoon looks cleaner but the swell’s barely 1ft with weak energy – nothing doing.
Now, Saturday August 1st – that’s your ticket. Clean 3ft SSE groundswell, 12-second period, energy is solid. Offshore breeze from the WSW and SW all day. Best bet in the near term.
Sunday the 2nd still has clean 3ft waves early with a glassy cross-off wind, but the afternoon turns onshore.
First week of August has small but clean windows. Monday afternoon the 3rd has a sneaky 2ft SSE groundswell with a very long 15-second period – proper deep-ocean swell. Offshore winds. It might be a bit straight for the beach, but on a point it could be sweet.
Tuesday and Wednesday mornings have waist-high swell around 3ft to 3ft with offshore winds and moderate energy – surfable.
The heavy hitter is Sunday August 9th afternoon. A solid 7ft E swell, 10-second period, and energy up over 1200. That’s too big for beginners, and with gentle offshore SSW wind, it’s going to be pumping.
Monday the 10th afternoon sees 11ft+ swell, but that’s only for the brave, and the wind picks up.
Last good look is Friday August 14th morning – glassy, 3ft E swell with 12-second period and moderate energy. A nice clean session to close it out.
So, short story: a quiet start, a gem on Saturday the 1st, and a proper big day on Sunday the 9th.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Fri night. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu morning, min 4°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed night, strong winds from the SW by Fri night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon afternoon, min 5°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | ||||||||||||||
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) | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | NE 8 | E 12 | E 12 | ESE 15 | SSE 12 | SE 12 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SE 12 | SE 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 190 | 104 | 101 | 132 | 43 | 41 | 44 | 268 | 224 | 183 | 241 | 157 | 89 | 47 | 172 | 233 | 222 | 149 | 130 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 4:46AM2.07m | 5:09PM2.19m | 5:29AM2.06m | 5:49PM2.20m | 6:13AM2.06m | 6:29PM2.20m | 6:58AM2.07m | 7:12PM2.19m | 7:45AM2.10m | 8:00PM2.19m | 8:31AM2.14m | 8:52PM2.18m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:43PM0.68m | 10:56AM0.59m | 11:27PM0.62m | 11:37AM0.54m | 00:09AM0.57m | 12:17PM0.51m | 00:50AM0.53m | 12:59PM0.50m | 1:31AM0.52m | 1:42PM0.51m | 2:15AM0.53m | 2:30PM0.54m | |||||||
 |  | |  |  |  |  |  |  | |  | | | | |  | | | | |
 | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 12 | 7 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 11 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 14 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 |
Feels °C | 10 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 6 | -3 | -2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | E 11 | E 12 | ENE 8 | ESE 15 | SSE 12 | SE 12 | SE 10 | SE 13 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | NNE 3 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SE 12 | SE 11 |
| kJ | 190 | 104 | 101 | 64 | 43 | 23 | 44 | 268 | 224 | 98 | 241 | 157 | 89 | 47 | 1 | 233 | 222 | 149 | 130 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | S 17 | S 16 | — | E 16 | E 12 | E 11 | ESE 15 | ESE 14 | SE 13 | E 16 | E 16 | — | ENE 6 | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | S 16 | SE 16 |
| kJ | 11 | 6 | 5 | — | 5 | 41 | 21 | 77 | 136 | 183 | 5 | 5 | — | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 10 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 17 | S 17 | S 16 | E 18 | SSW 11 | ESE 16 | ENE 8 | E 11 | E 10 | E 17 | NE 16 | NE 16 | S 20 | N 3 | E 15 | — | — | E 13 | E 12 |
| kJ | 6 | 49 | 45 | 6 | 11 | 24 | 7 | 9 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 1 | 4 | — | — | 3 | 3 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 4 | NNE 4 | NE 8 | NNE 4 | NW 3 | S 3 | SW 3 | WSW 3 | — | NW 3 | — | — | — | SSE 15 | S 14 | SW 3 | SW 3 | — |
| kJ | — | 23 | 14 | 132 | 21 | 6 | 18 | 5 | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | — | 172 | 3996 | 5 | 1 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 31 | 133 | 31 | 43 | 1 | 183 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Canterbury | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||
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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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