Surf Forecasts:
Scarborough surf forecast from 4 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 6 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 15s period, ESE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 5 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 11s period, SE swell with 220 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 5 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 11s period with SE 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 Wednesday (Aug 05) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 12s. 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 1.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 9s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 06) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Wed 5th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 12PM (Thu 6th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Wed 5th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Scarborough over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s on the menu for the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, we’re looking at a pretty quiet start. The first couple of days have some waves, but they’re small and the conditions are just ordinary. The real standout, and the only time I’d really get excited, is that Friday the 14th. That morning brings a solid 5ft swell from the east with a 8-second period, and the wind is a clean offshore from the WSW. The combined energy hits 336 (moderate wave energy), and the forecast is for good surf. It’s not huge, but it’s the best we’ve got. The other little window is Sunday the 9th, with a 4ft swell from the ENE and glassy conditions in the morning, but the period is short at 7 seconds, so it’ll be a bit lumpy and weak.
Scarborough is the only break on the radar. It’s a beginner spot, but it’s inconsistent, so don’t expect a non-stop show. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, nothing unusual.
After the 14th, it tails off again. We get a few mornings with clean, glassy conditions on the 15th and 16th, but the swell drops back to around 3ft to 3ft. It’s surfable, but ordinary. Then from the 17th onwards, it gets real small again, with combined energy dipping below 100. The 20th of August has a pulse of 3ft swell from the SE with a 12-second period and 226 energy (moderate wave energy) and glassy conditions, which is worth a look if you’re desperate, but it’s still just "surfable."
So, bottom line: if you’ve got a window, make it the morning of Friday the 14th. That’s the pick of the bunch. The rest is mostly small and average.
Inconsistent spot, so don’t stress if you miss it. Forecasts can change.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Mild temperatures (max 8°C on Fri afternoon, min 3°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Fri night, min 8°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri night, fresh winds from the WSW by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SE 10 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 15 | SE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | ENE 7 | E 7 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 136 | 216 | 187 | 122 | 106 | 180 | 65 | 57 | 59 | 50 | 17 | 15 | 35 | 121 | 72 | 60 | 80 | 102 | 86 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | off | off | glassy | on | on | on | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | off | off | off | off | glassy |
High Tide | 9:19AM2.19m | 9:46PM2.19m | 10:10AM2.24m | 10:40PM2.20m | 11:05AM2.30m | 11:35PM2.22m | 12:02PM2.36m | 00:31AM2.25m | 1:00PM2.42m | 1:29AM2.29m | 1:56PM2.47m | 2:26AM2.34m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:03AM0.54m | 3:22PM0.58m | 3:56AM0.55m | 4:21PM0.60m | 4:52AM0.53m | 5:22PM0.59m | 5:48AM0.48m | 6:24PM0.53m | 6:42AM0.42m | 7:21PM0.45m | 7:36AM0.36m | 8:15PM0.36m | |||||||
 |  |  |  | | | |  | |  | | | | |  | |  | | | |
 | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — |
mm | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | 1 | 3 | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 6 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 |
Feels °C | -1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | ESE 10 | SE 10 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | E 7 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 |
| kJ | 136 | 216 | 187 | 122 | 98 | 135 | 52 | 57 | 59 | 50 | 17 | 15 | 35 | 14 | 72 | 60 | 80 | 102 | 86 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 12 | — | E 18 | ESE 16 | ESE 15 | S 9 | ESE 13 | SE 10 | SSE 13 | SSE 11 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | SSE 9 | ENE 7 | NE 8 | NE 9 | ESE 12 |
| kJ | 59 | — | 6 | 26 | 44 | 207 | 65 | 24 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 9 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 15 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | E 16 | NE 12 | E 11 | SE 15 | SE 13 | SSE 17 | SSE 14 | ENE 3 | ENE 5 | SE 9 | NE 4 | NE 4 | E 13 | SSE 12 | E 13 | E 13 | SE 14 | E 8 |
| kJ | 5 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 106 | 180 | 29 | 40 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 14 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | NE 3 | NE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 7 | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | SW 3 | — | — |
| kJ | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 121 | 3 | 10 | 1 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 31 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 31 | 51 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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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