Scarborough surf break

Scarborough surfForecast / Canterbury / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Tuesday 24 Mar 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
16.9° C
(Which is 3.3°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 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Mar 25) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.3m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Scarborough in the next 16 days are 3.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Mar 28) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-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 Tuesday (Mar 31) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Wed 25th Mar)1ft (0.3m) 14s
Best Surf10AM (Sat 28th Mar)4.5ft (1.4m) 9s
Most Powerful 1AM (Sat 28th Mar)11ft (3.5m) 10s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Scarborough over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 29mm), heaviest during Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Wed morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the NE on Tue afternoon, strong winds from the NE by Thu night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sat morning, min 14°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NE on Fri afternoon, calm by Sat afternoon).

Tue
24
Wednesday
25
Thursday
26
Friday
27
Saturday
28
Sunday
29
Monday
30
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.6
ENE
0.3
E
0.3
ESE
0.5
ESE
0.3
ESE
1.5
ENE
1.9
ENE
2.1
ENE
2.1
ENE
2.1
ENE
3.5
ENE
1.4
ENE
1.1
E
0.8
E
0.9
E
1.1
ESE
0.6
E
0.6
E
1.2
ENE
0.5
E
0.5
E
Period(s) (?)614131312681010101099912121212111110
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)32373490281614217998178672616321207103229355103983595952
Wind
(km/h)
10
E
5
SW
10
SW
10
E
10
ENE
35
ENE
45
ENE
45
NE
45
NE
30
NE
25
NNE
10
WNW
5
E
5
N
15
ENE
20
ENE
5
NE
15
NNE
15
NNE
10
SSW
10
NE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
offoffcross-
on
ononononononcross-
on
cross-
off
glassglassoncross-
on
glasscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
10:14PM
2.48
10:48AM
2.31
11:11PM
2.45
11:44AM
2.29
12:08AM
2.40
12:37PM
2.27
1:04AM
2.35
1:30PM
2.25
1:58AM
2.31
2:22PM
2.23
2:49AM
2.28
3:13PM
2.22
3:39AM
2.27
Low Tide
/ height (m)
4:32AM
0.49
4:54PM
0.44
5:33AM
0.49
5:52PM
0.44
6:31AM
0.47
6:47PM
0.43
7:25AM
0.46
7:39PM
0.43
8:15AM
0.45
8:32PM
0.43
9:03AM
0.45
9:25PM
0.43
9:52AM
0.46
Tue
24
Wednesday
25
Thursday
26
Friday
27
Saturday
28
Sunday
29
Monday
30
Sunrise--7:35--7:37--7:37--7:39--7:39--7:41--7:43
Sunset7:35--7:32--7:30--7:29--7:28--7:25--7:23--
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
light rain
heavy rain
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
cloud
Rain (mm)
----121610----------31-
Temp. °C171516171515151516172022211514141921181312
Feels °C (?)161415161498710121621221412111518161010
  • 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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Quick surf report for Scarborough:

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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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