Surf Forecasts:
Scarborough surf forecast from 25 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 1 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 16s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 1 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 16s period, SSE swell with 917 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 26 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 0.5ft (0.2m), 17s 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 Wednesday (Aug 26) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.2m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 13s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 4s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Scarborough in the next 16 days are 1.4m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 5.0m 14s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Wed 26th Aug) | 0.5ft (0.2m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Tue 1st Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Tue 1st Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Scarborough over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the table for Scarborough over the next couple of weeks.
Straight up, I'm not gonna lie to you – it's a grim stretch for the most part. We've got a long, dry spell of nothingness before anything even worth paddling out for shows up. From now until the end of August, it's all tiny little wind ripples and poor conditions. You're looking at a solid 6-day gap of flat-to-miserable surf.
The first real glimmer of hope, and honestly the only standout in the whole 16-day window, is the morning of Tuesday, September 1st. That's over a week away, but it's the one to keep an eye on. The water temp is sitting at 50°F, which is actually a touch warmer than usual for this time of year – a small mercy.
That Tuesday morning we get some glassy conditions, which is a major positive for Scarborough. The swell will be small but clean, around 3ft from the SSE. The combined energy is reading 464, so there's some proper grunt in the water. It won't be a massive day, but with the wind dropping out, those SSE lines should wrap in nicely. For a beginner-friendly spot that's usually inconsistent, this morning session is the one to set the alarm for. There might be a few heads out, as it can get a bit of a crowd, but for this quality, it's worth it.
After that morning, it all falls apart again. The winds pick up onshore and the energy drops right off. There's a brief moment on the afternoon of Wednesday the 2nd with some offshore wind, but the swell is too tiny at 1ft to get excited about. The rest of the outlook is just the same old story – small, weak, and choppy.
Basically, if you can get out on that Tuesday morning, do it. Otherwise, save the wax for a better forecast.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Wed night. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri afternoon, min 6°C on Thu morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ENE on Thu afternoon, calm by Fri night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 7°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | |||||||||||||||
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) | E 14 | SSE 17 | SSE 17 | SSE 17 | SSE 17 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | SE 12 | E 4 | SSE 17 | SSE 15 | SE 13 | S 12 | SSE 16 | SE 11 | SE 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 14 | 29 | 101 | 97 | 109 | 117 | 403 | 169 | 65 | 25 | 23 | 15 | 22 | 7 | 195 | 89 | 44 | 0 | 464 | 110 | 77 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | on | on | on | cross | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | on | off | cross-on | glassy | off | glassy | on | cross |
High Tide | 3:12PM2.17m | 3:31AM2.08m | 3:54PM2.19m | 4:13AM2.11m | 4:35PM2.22m | 4:55AM2.13m | 5:15PM2.25m | 5:40AM2.16m | 5:58PM2.26m | 6:27AM2.20m | 6:45PM2.26m | 7:16AM2.24m | 7:37PM2.25m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:23PM0.67m | 9:39AM0.60m | 10:07PM0.61m | 10:24AM0.54m | 10:51PM0.55m | 11:06AM0.50m | 11:34PM0.51m | 11:48AM0.47m | 00:17AM0.49m | 12:32PM0.47m | 1:01AM0.48m | 1:19PM0.49m | 1:48AM0.50m | ||||||||
 | |  |  |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — |
 | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — |
mm | — | — | 13 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 14 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 12 |
Feels °C | 11 | 12 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 4 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 4 | SSE 17 | SSE 17 | SSE 17 | SSE 17 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | NNE 4 | E 4 | SSE 17 | SSE 15 | SE 13 | — | SSE 16 | SE 11 | SE 10 |
| kJ | 7 | 29 | 101 | 97 | 109 | 30 | 13 | 169 | 65 | 25 | 23 | 15 | 3 | 7 | 195 | 89 | 44 | — | 464 | 110 | 77 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | E 12 | — | SSE 11 | NNW 3 | ESE 13 | N 3 | SE 12 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | NE 8 | E 11 | N 3 | — | — | SSE 13 | NE 11 |
| kJ | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 3 | — | 13 | 1 | 17 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 62 | 5 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 17 | — | NE 7 | — | — | — | — | SE 14 | SE 14 | SSE 10 | ESE 13 | SE 10 | NNW 3 | SE 12 | E 12 | NE 10 | E 11 | — | — | S 18 | NE 11 |
| kJ | 23 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | 8 | 29 | 10 | 17 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 2 | — | — | 6 | 5 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNE 4 | ESE 5 | E 4 | ENE 5 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | NNW 4 | — | N 4 | — | NNW 2 | SE 12 | S 4 | SW 3 | NNW 3 | — | S 12 | — | — | NE 4 |
| kJ | — | 11 | 15 | 9 | 61 | 117 | 403 | 18 | — | 9 | — | 1 | 22 | 13 | 4 | 1 | — | 446 | — | — | 7 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 31 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 245 | 62 | 51 | 133 | 0 | 31 | 2 | 23 | 155 | 31 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 31 | 1 |
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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