
Surf Forecasts:
Scarborough surf forecast from 14 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 17 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 17s period, E swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 17 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period, E swell with 520 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 16 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 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 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.3m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 4s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Scarborough in the next 16 days are 1.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 17) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 16) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Thu 16th Jul) | 1ft (0.3m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Fri 17th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Fri 17th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Scarborough over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, Rusty here. Look, I've had a good hard look at the charts for the next couple of weeks, and I'm not gonna lie – it's a bit of a mixed bag. We've got a few days of proper drought before a little window of fun, then it all goes quiet again. The best of it is definitely a short, sharp burst around Friday the 17th and into Saturday the 18th.
We're starting off with a bit of a flat spell. Wednesday the 15th and Thursday the 16th are pretty much a write-off. The swell is tiny and weak, around 1 to 3ft, with a short, messy period. The water temp is sitting at 50°, which is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
But then, things get interesting. From Friday morning the 17th, we see a pulse of proper energy arrive. The combined swell energy jumps up to 490 (moderate) and the wind goes glassy, with a light offshore touch. The swell is a clean 3ft from the East, with a long 17-second period – that's a proper groundswell, meaning long, waiting lines. This is the standout window. Scarborough is the spot to be. It's an inconsistent break, so when it's on, it's on. The swell direction from the East is a good match for the break's optimum. The Friday morning glass-off will make it peaky and clean. It's a beginner-friendly break, and with that 3ft size, it's perfect for all levels.
The good energy hangs around into Saturday the 18th. The morning sees a 3ft East swell with a 15-second period and a clean cross-off wind. The afternoon is even better with a 3ft ESE swell, a 14-second period, and a proper offshore wind at 9 mph. The swell energy is strong, hitting 555 to 646. This is the best combo of the whole outlook. For a beginner spot, this is a dream run.
Sunday the 19th still has some fun-sized waves, 2 to 2ft, but the energy drops back to 248 (weak). The winds stay clean, so it's still surfable, just less punchy.
Then, from Monday the 20th onwards, it's a long, slow fade. The swell drops back to tiny 0.7 to 1ft, and the energy falls apart. The break is already inconsistent, so without a solid swell, it's barely going to break. We're looking at a real dry spell from the 20th right through to the end of the month. There are a few tiny pulses on the 26th and 30th, but the wind is onshore or cross-onshore and choppy, making it a waste of time for a paddle. Honestly, for a stretch like that, the setup here looks more interesting for a kite surfer than someone with a shortboard.
So, to wrap it up: the first few days are a bust. The clear standout is Friday the 17th and Saturday the 18th. Get in the water then. After that, we're looking at a long, quiet period. Forecasts can change, but for now, it's a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed afternoon, min 6°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 11°C on Sun afternoon, min 7°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | |||||||||||||||
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) | N 4 | N 4 | E 13 | E 16 | E 16 | E 17 | E 17 | E 16 | E 15 | E 15 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | E 14 | E 13 | SSE 18 | SSE 17 | SE 15 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
20 | 13 | 14 | 46 | 83 | 265 | 465 | 520 | 484 | 447 | 346 | 261 | 181 | 126 | 108 | 55 | 57 | 27 | 25 | 24 | 12 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross | off | cross-on | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | on | glassy | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:05PM2.63m | 5:33AM2.46m | 6:00PM2.60m | 6:29AM2.43m | 6:54PM2.53m | 7:25AM2.39m | 7:50PM2.45m | 8:22AM2.35m | 8:46PM2.36m | 9:16AM2.31m | 9:41PM2.29m | 10:09AM2.28m | 10:34PM2.23m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:50AM0.19m | 11:25PM0.22m | 11:46AM0.15m | 00:21AM0.23m | 12:39PM0.15m | 1:14AM0.26m | 1:32PM0.22m | 2:06AM0.31m | 2:25PM0.33m | 2:59AM0.39m | 3:20PM0.47m | 3:53AM0.47m | 4:17PM0.60m | ||||||||
7:56 | — | — | 7:56 | — | — | 7:56 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | |
— | 5:12 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 16 | 14 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 10 |
Feels °C | 10 | 14 | 11 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 4 | E 12 | NE 4 | NE 4 | E 16 | E 17 | E 17 | E 16 | E 15 | E 15 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | E 14 | E 13 | E 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ENE 4 |
4 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 83 | 265 | 465 | 520 | 484 | 447 | 346 | 261 | 181 | 126 | 80 | 50 | 48 | 27 | 25 | 24 | 7 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 12 | ENE 7 | E 13 | E 16 | NE 7 | SSE 15 | SSE 16 | S 15 | NE 4 | SSE 23 | SSE 23 | SSE 21 | SE 16 | SE 16 | SSE 18 | SSE 17 | SE 15 | NE 3 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | ESE 11 |
12 | 5 | 14 | 46 | 7 | 23 | 25 | 18 | 2 | 106 | 298 | 171 | 67 | 64 | 108 | 55 | 57 | 2 | 11 | 11 | 12 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 5 | S 19 | E 11 | E 13 | S 16 | S 14 | — | — | SE 10 | ENE 4 | ENE 4 | — | S 11 | SSE 20 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | — | SSE 8 | ENE 4 | S 16 | SE 8 |
3 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 5 | 148 | — | — | 4 | 2 | 2 | — | 267 | 38 | 8 | 7 | — | 7 | 1 | 5 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 4 | N 4 | NNW 3 | SSW 16 | SSE 6 | NNE 5 | — | — | NNE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 3 | — | ENE 4 | — |
20 | 13 | 3 | 26 | 3 | 2 | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 23 | 36 | 31 | 0 | 31 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 31 | 2 | 23 |
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.










