Scarborough surf break

Scarborough surfForecast / Canterbury / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Saturday 10 Jan 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
19.5° C
(Which is 5.2°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 Monday (Jan 12) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Scarborough in the next 12 days are 1.1m 8s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jan 17) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 10s period and expected on Monday (Jan 12) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10AM (Mon 12th Jan)1.5ft (0.4m) 12s
Best Surf10AM (Mon 12th Jan)1.5ft (0.4m) 12s
Most Powerful 1PM (Sat 17th Jan)3.5ft (1.1m) 8s

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

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 28°C on Sat afternoon, min 11°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NNW on Sat night, calm by Mon morning).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu morning, min 14°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Sat
10
Sunday
11
Monday
12
Tuesday
13
Wednesday
14
Thursday
15
Friday
16
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.9
NNW
1
N
1.1
N
1.1
NW
0.4
NE
0.4
SSE
0.5
SE
0.4
SE
0.4
SE
0.6
E
0.3
SE
0.4
SE
0.9
SSE
0.7
ENE
0.8
NE
0.8
ENE
0.8
ENE
0.9
ENE
1
ENE
0.6
ENE
0.7
ENE
Period(s) (?)44441012121211111010945557778
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)2530444324566635328316321191126243362853851
Wind
(km/h)
35
NW
30
NNW
40
NW
35
WNW
15
S
5
SSW
10
ENE
20
NE
5
ENE
15
ESE
10
WSW
10
WSW
15
E
15
ENE
10
WSW
10
SE
10
ESE
10
ENE
15
E
10
E
20
ENE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crosscross-
on
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
glasscross-
on
onglasscross-
on
offoffcross-
on
cross-
on
offcrosscrossoncross-
on
cross-
on
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
11:31PM
2.21
11:55AM
2.18
12:21AM
2.19
12:44PM
2.13
1:11AM
2.19
1:32PM
2.10
2:00AM
2.20
2:20PM
2.08
2:47AM
2.21
3:08PM
2.07
3:33AM
2.21
3:54PM
2.08
4:18AM
2.22
Low Tide
/ height (m)
5:17PM
0.53
5:39AM
0.66
6:09PM
0.61
6:35AM
0.75
6:57PM
0.68
7:31AM
0.80
7:41PM
0.73
8:22AM
0.82
8:23PM
0.76
9:08AM
0.82
9:07PM
0.76
9:51AM
0.80
9:53PM
0.74
10:32AM
0.77
Sat
10
Sunday
11
Monday
12
Tuesday
13
Wednesday
14
Thursday
15
Friday
16
Sunrise--6:00--6:01--6:01--6:03--6:05--6:05--6:07
Sunset9:10--9:10--9:10--9:09--9:09--9:08--9:08--
part cloud
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
light rain
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
Rain (mm)
---161---------15----
Temp. °C282228281913141316171518181619181516171922
Feels °C (?)21172023151011914151517151419171515161820
  • 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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