Scarborough surf break

Scarborough surfForecast / Canterbury / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 am Wednesday 11 Mar 2026 NZDT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Scarborough surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Scarborough sea temperature is
18.1° C
(Which is 3.7°C warmer than normal for this time of year)

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Scarborough this week:

The surf forecast for Scarborough over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Mar 13) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Scarborough in the next 12 days are 2.1m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Mar 12) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Friday (Mar 13) at 10PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Fri 13th Mar)2.5ft (0.8m) 14s
Best Surf 7PM (Fri 13th Mar)2.5ft (0.8m) 14s
Most Powerful10PM (Thu 12th Mar)7ft (2.1m) 8s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Scarborough over the next 12 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Fri morning, min 12°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
11
Thursday
12
Friday
13
Saturday
14
Sunday
15
Monday
16
Tue
17
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
2
1
1
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.2
E
0.8
NE
0.9
ENE
1.1
NE
1.6
NE
1.1
ENE
1.2
ENE
0.7
ESE
0.7
ESE
0.8
ESE
0.7
ESE
0.6
ESE
0.4
ESE
0.4
SE
0.4
ENE
0.2
SSE
0.3
SSE
0.4
ENE
0.2
ESE
0.3
ENE
0.4
ENE
Period(s) (?)114567781414141313121191716101399
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)10203769220118181163166213156111563127295031171626
Wind
(km/h)
20
NE
20
NE
25
ENE
20
ENE
10
ENE
15
E
20
N
25
NNE
20
WSW
10
WSW
10
SSW
5
E
10
NE
5
NNW
10
E
5
N
10
W
10
NNE
5
W
5
ESE
15
E
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
ononononcross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
offcross-
off
glassonglasscross-
on
glasscross-
off
onglassglasscross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
10:59PM
2.18
11:27AM
2.06
11:44PM
2.14
12:12PM
2.03
12:33AM
2.12
12:58PM
2.02
1:24AM
2.11
1:48PM
2.02
2:15AM
2.13
2:38PM
2.04
3:03AM
2.16
3:26PM
2.09
3:48AM
2.21
4:11PM
2.15
Low Tide
/ height (m)
5:14AM
0.81
5:29PM
0.81
6:04AM
0.82
6:16PM
0.81
6:54AM
0.81
7:03PM
0.77
7:44AM
0.76
7:51PM
0.72
8:30AM
0.70
8:40PM
0.66
9:15AM
0.63
9:31PM
0.59
10:00AM
0.55
Wednesday
11
Thursday
12
Friday
13
Saturday
14
Sunday
15
Monday
16
Tue
17
Sunrise-7:18--7:20--7:20--7:22--7:22--7:24--7:26-
Sunset--7:58--7:55--7:54--7:52--7:51--7:49--7:46
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
Rain (mm)
---------------------
Temp. °C121414141618192317141315131516141920171515
Feels °C (?)810991417152114121114101314141718161513
  • 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 12 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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