Surf Forecasts:
Scarborough surf forecast from 1 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 2 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 17s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 2 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 17s period, SSE swell with 267 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 1 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 13s 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 Tuesday (Sep 01) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 13s. 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 0.7m 17s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 4s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Scarborough over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the menu for the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, it's a pretty bleak start. We're looking at a long stretch of just about nothing. The first few days have some small, weak waves, but the winds are a mess, so it's not worth paddling out for. The first real glimmer of hope is a solid week away. From September 8th onward, we start to see a bit more life in the water, but even then, it's mostly small and clean rather than anything to write home about.
The standout window is Tuesday morning, September 8th, at Scarborough. We’ll see a clean 2ft swell from the SSE, with a nice long period of 11 seconds holding that groundswell energy. The wind is a light offshore from the WSW, so the surface will be glassy. The combined energy is moderate (114), so there’s a bit of push, but it's still a beginner-friendly size. The water is a touch warmer than normal at 51°, so you won't need the thickest wetsuit.
Later that same day, Tuesday afternoon, and into Wednesday morning the 9th, it stays small and clean with similar knee-high waves from the SE. The wind is light or offshore, making it a good run for a learner or someone on a longboard.
For the second week, the action is even more scattered. September 12th, a Saturday morning, looks like the best of a quiet bunch. Scarborough will see a 2ft groundswell from the east with an 11-second period, and the combined energy is moderate (193). The wind is going light cross-off from the WSW, so it should be clean. It’s a step up in energy from the week before, but still a mellow wave.
Overall, it’s a slow period. The first week is a write-off, and the second week offers only small, clean windows for the patient. If you're desperate for a paddle, aim for the 8th or the 12th.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 6°C on Tue morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NW on Wed afternoon, calm by Wed night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Sun night. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun afternoon, min 7°C on Sun night). Mainly strong winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 13 | SSE 14 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | SSE 14 | SE 12 | N 4 | N 4 | NNE 4 | NE 6 | NE 9 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | N 4 | NE 4 | NE 9 | NE 7 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | SE 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 201 | 163 | 267 | 240 | 123 | 37 | 25 | 17 | 20 | 32 | 37 | 10 | 25 | 13 | 18 | 31 | 37 | 24 | 25 | 20 | 128 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross | cross-on | on | cross | off | off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:37PM2.25m | 8:07AM2.29m | 8:33PM2.24m | 8:59AM2.32m | 9:30PM2.23m | 9:53AM2.35m | 10:26PM2.23m | 10:49AM2.37m | 11:21PM2.24m | 11:47AM2.38m | 00:16AM2.25m | 12:43PM2.38m | 1:11AM2.28m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:19PM0.49m | 1:48AM0.50m | 2:11PM0.53m | 2:39AM0.51m | 3:09PM0.56m | 3:36AM0.52m | 4:09PM0.57m | 4:34AM0.50m | 5:11PM0.53m | 5:31AM0.45m | 6:09PM0.47m | 6:25AM0.40m | 7:03PM0.41m | ||||||||
 | |  |  |  | | | | | | |  | | |  | | |  |  | | | |
 | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — |
 | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 9 | 9 | 7 | 12 | 15 | 12 | 18 | 19 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 9 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 7 |
Feels °C | 5 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 13 | 13 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 10 | 13 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 13 | SSE 14 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | SSE 14 | SE 12 | SSE 11 | SE 9 | SE 10 | NE 6 | NE 9 | NE 8 | N 4 | E 7 | E 10 | S 18 | ENE 5 | NE 7 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | SE 11 |
| kJ | 201 | 163 | 267 | 240 | 123 | 37 | 12 | 3 | 4 | 32 | 37 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 15 | 24 | 25 | 20 | 128 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | SE 17 | NNE 4 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | S 11 | E 11 | NE 9 | S 9 | SE 11 | E 8 | S 9 | S 18 | — | NE 9 | S 16 | — | — | E 9 |
| kJ | 2 | 73 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 6 | — | 37 | 5 | — | — | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | E 12 | — | — | SE 12 | E 11 | E 10 | — | S 9 | E 11 | S 8 | SE 10 | S 15 | SE 11 | SE 10 | S 17 | SSW 9 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 3 | — | — | 5 | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 8 | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 3 | NNE 9 | — | N 4 | NNW 3 | NNW 4 | N 4 | N 4 | NNE 4 | NNW 4 | WNW 4 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | N 4 | NE 4 | NNW 3 | — | SW 4 | S 13 | SW 3 |
| kJ | 3 | 8 | — | 1 | 9 | 14 | 25 | 17 | 20 | 16 | 25 | 10 | 25 | 13 | 18 | 31 | 12 | — | 33 | 380 | 1 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 44 | 0 | 0 | 133 | 1 | 23 | 31 | 31 | 151 | 32 | 23 | 31 | 31 | 64 | 33 | 150 | 2 | 184 | 341 | 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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