Scarborough surf break

Scarborough surfForecast / Canterbury / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Tuesday 24 Feb 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
17.8° C
(Which is 3.0°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 Thursday (Feb 26) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Scarborough in the next 12 days are 0.9m 14s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Mar 02) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 6s period and expected on Friday (Feb 27) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Thu 26th Feb)3ft (0.9m) 7s
Best Surf 1AM (Thu 26th Feb)3ft (0.9m) 7s
Most Powerful 4PM (Mon 2nd Mar)3ft (0.9m) 14s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Moderate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Thu night. Warm (max 21°C on Thu morning, min 10°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Moderate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun morning, min 10°C on Sun afternoon). Winds increasing (calm on Sat night, fresh winds from the SSW by Mon morning).

Tue
24
Wednesday
25
Thursday
26
Friday
27
Saturday
28
Sunday
01
Monday
02
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.4
SE
0.3
SE
0.9
NE
1.1
NE
0.9
ENE
0.8
ENE
0.5
ENE
0.3
ENE
0.4
SE
0.4
SE
0.2
E
0.2
E
0.2
E
0.6
NE
0.2
E
0.4
SE
0.8
SSE
0.7
SE
0.9
SSE
0.8
SE
0.8
SE
Period(s) (?)111046777755988410101313141211
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)42162269706130117666612833215183304167159
Wind
(km/h)
10
E
15
ENE
25
NE
30
ENE
5
SSW
10
WSW
5
SSE
15
SW
5
SW
5
W
5
NNE
10
NE
15
ENE
15
NE
10
SW
15
ESE
25
SSW
30
SSW
30
SSW
15
SW
15
WSW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
ononcross-
on
glasscross-
off
glassoffoffglasscross-
on
oncross-
on
onoffcrosscross-
off
offoffoffcross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
11:26PM
2.38
11:58AM
2.26
12:23AM
2.39
12:53PM
2.26
1:20AM
2.39
1:48PM
2.27
2:15AM
2.39
2:43PM
2.28
3:08AM
2.39
3:35PM
2.29
4:00AM
2.38
4:25PM
2.29
4:51AM
2.37
Low Tide
/ height (m)
5:09PM
0.47
5:44AM
0.54
6:08PM
0.46
6:45AM
0.52
7:03PM
0.44
7:42AM
0.47
7:56PM
0.41
8:34AM
0.42
8:49PM
0.37
9:24AM
0.39
9:44PM
0.34
10:15AM
0.37
10:39PM
0.32
11:07AM
0.38
Tue
24
Wednesday
25
Thursday
26
Friday
27
Saturday
28
Sunday
01
Monday
02
Sunrise--7:00--7:01--7:03--7:03--7:05--7:07--7:07
Sunset8:22--8:22--8:20--8:19--8:16--8:15--8:14--
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
light rain
mod rain
light rain
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
cloud
clear
Rain (mm)
------393------6421--
Temp. °C161314151721171210121113131317151111111113
Feels °C (?)13109111719189810101010101613634610
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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