Scarborough surf break

Scarborough surfForecast / Canterbury / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 am Friday 19 Dec 2025 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
18.0° C
(Which is 4.9°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 (Dec 22) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Scarborough in the next 12 days are 0.6m 12s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Dec 22) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 8s period and expected on Saturday (Dec 20) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Mon 22nd Dec)1.5ft (0.5m) 10s
Best Surf 7AM (Mon 22nd Dec)1.5ft (0.5m) 10s
Most Powerful 4PM (Mon 22nd Dec)2ft (0.6m) 12s

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 Fri night. Warm (max 21°C on Fri afternoon, min 9°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the N on Fri morning, calm by Sun afternoon).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Some drizzle, heaviest during Mon night. Warm (max 21°C on Wed morning, min 13°C on Mon morning). Winds increasing (calm on Mon morning, fresh winds from the WNW by Wed morning).

Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
Thursday
25
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.3
ENE
0.8
N
0.2
SSE
0.3
SE
0.4
SE
0.3
SE
0.3
SE
0.3
SE
0.4
SE
0.6
SE
0.6
SE
0.6
SSE
0.5
SE
0.9
E
0.7
E
0.4
E
0.8
NW
0.3
NE
0.2
E
0.8
NE
0.4
NE
Period(s) (?)841078799911121110666491448
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)14189818713122110311082536436111912141816
Wind
(km/h)
5
N
25
WNW
15
WSW
10
SSW
5
ENE
10
SW
20
SW
10
SSW
10
NNE
0
NE
15
ENE
15
ENE
10
WSW
15
E
0
E
10
NNW
30
WNW
10
NNW
40
NW
40
WNW
5
SW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
offglassoffoffoffcross-
on
glasscross-
on
onoffcross-
on
glasscross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
on
crosscross-
off
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
5:12PM
2.09
5:35AM
2.23
5:53PM
2.09
6:16AM
2.21
6:35PM
2.07
6:56AM
2.20
7:19PM
2.04
7:37AM
2.18
8:04PM
2.02
8:19AM
2.16
8:51PM
2.01
9:03AM
2.15
9:37PM
2.02
Low Tide
/ height (m)
11:09AM
0.79
11:14PM
0.75
11:49AM
0.77
11:58PM
0.72
12:31PM
0.74
12:40AM
0.68
1:14PM
0.70
1:22AM
0.64
1:57PM
0.65
2:04AM
0.60
2:40PM
0.60
2:47AM
0.57
3:24PM
0.57
3:32AM
0.55
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
Thursday
25
Sunrise5:41--5:43--5:43--5:43--5:43--5:43--5:45--
Sunset-9:07--9:07--9:08--9:08--9:09--9:09--9:10-
cloud
light rain
light rain
cloud
light rain
light rain
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
-13-13-----1---------
Temp. °C192110121110121412131315191915212114191914
Feels °C (?)1317599671291291518171413131191010
  • 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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