Scarborough surf break

Scarborough surfForecast / Canterbury / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 pm Saturday 28 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
17.0° C
(Which is 3.5°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 Sunday (Mar 29) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 12s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 3s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Scarborough in the next 16 days are 1.2m 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Mar 29) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 17s period and expected on Monday (Mar 30) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Sun 29th Mar)3.5ft (1.0m) 12s
Best Surf10PM (Sun 29th Mar)3.5ft (1.0m) 12s
Most Powerful 4PM (Sun 29th Mar)4ft (1.2m) 12s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Some drizzle, heaviest during Mon afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Sat morning, min 11°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Some drizzle, heaviest during Tue morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu morning, min 10°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
28
Sunday
29
Monday
30
Tuesday
31
Wednesday
01
Thursday
02
Friday
03
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
2
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.4
ENE
1.2
E
0.9
E
0.9
ENE
1.2
ESE
0.6
E
0.8
E
0.5
SSE
0.6
E
0.3
SSE
0.7
SE
0.2
SSE
0.2
SSE
0.4
SE
0.4
SE
0.4
SE
0.7
SSE
0.5
SE
0.5
SE
0.4
SSE
0.4
SE
Period(s) (?)109981212121811141513161514141514141312
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)3482511251064321031691958539226172456494819399926839
Wind
(km/h)
10
WSW
15
E
10
E
15
ENE
15
ENE
20
N
15
SW
5
ESE
10
ENE
10
SSW
10
S
10
N
10
NE
10
ENE
5
ENE
5
ENE
15
ESE
10
WSW
5
W
10
E
15
WSW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
offcross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
oncross-
on
offglassoncross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
ononcross-
on
oncross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
1:30PM
2.25
1:58AM
2.31
2:22PM
2.23
2:49AM
2.28
3:13PM
2.22
3:39AM
2.27
4:04PM
2.21
4:29AM
2.26
4:54PM
2.21
5:19AM
2.24
5:46PM
2.23
6:08AM
2.22
6:39PM
2.25
Low Tide
/ height (m)
7:39PM
0.43
8:15AM
0.45
8:32PM
0.43
9:03AM
0.45
9:25PM
0.43
9:52AM
0.46
10:20PM
0.44
10:43AM
0.47
11:12PM
0.47
11:35AM
0.49
12:02AM
0.51
12:23PM
0.52
12:50AM
0.56
Saturday
28
Sunday
29
Monday
30
Tuesday
31
Wednesday
01
Thursday
02
Friday
03
Sunrise7:39--7:39--7:41--7:43--7:43--7:45--7:46--
Sunset-7:28--7:25--7:23--7:22--7:20--7:19--7:16-
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
light rain
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
Rain (mm)
-------1-1-----------
Temp. °C211914151618171413111111121315171716191915
Feels °C (?)221712141615151310889101113131313161613
  • 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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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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