Surf Forecasts:
Inner Cut surf forecast from 7 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 11 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 0.5ft (0.2m), 20s period, NNW swell with 40 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Inner Cut this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Inner Cut in the next 16 days are 0.2m 20s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 11) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Fri 11th Sep) | 0.5ft (0.2m) 20s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Inner Cut over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s cooking at Inner Cut (Nelson Harbour).
I’m not gonna sugarcoat it – the next couple of weeks look pretty lean. The water’s around 55°F , which is about average for this time of year, nothing wild.
Starting Monday the 7th, we’ve got tiny waves, 1 to 2 feet out of the north. The energy is basically nothing – readings like 28 and 14 – just weak. There’s a light cross-off breeze, but the swell is too small to do anything with. Tuesday the 8th is glassy and flat, with 1 feet from the north. It’s clean, but you’d be bobbing around.
Wednesday the 9th is a total washout – 0.7 feet and the energy drops to 5. Thursday and Friday stay terrible, with waves from 0.3 feet to 3 feet and the wind shifting around, making it choppy or just too weak. The best energy we see on the 10th is 50, which is still weak. It’s a long stretch of nothing.
Saturday the 12th and Sunday the 13th bring gusty southwest winds up to 19 mph, but the swell stays tiny – 0.7 feet to 1 feet – with energy around 27 to 29. That’s just wind slop, not surf.
Now, here’s the one bright spot. On Tuesday the 15th of September, the afternoon shows a pulse of 3 feet from the north-northwest with a short 6-second period. The combined energy hits 51 – still moderate – but the wind turns light offshore from the northwest. For Inner Cut, offshore wind is gold, and the direction (NW) is exactly what this point wants. The short period might make it a bit lumpy, but it’ll be clean and rideable. That’s your best window, but it’s over a week away and still small.
From the 16th through the 22nd, it’s more of the same: tiny waves, mostly under 2 feet, with only a few glassy moments. The energy rarely gets above 50. For a spot that’s *inconsistent*, this is a proper dead spell.
If the wind keeps up on the 12th and 13th, kite surfers might have some fun, but for a paddle surfer, it’s a no-go. Keep an eye on the 15th – it’s the only chance for a few little ones. Forecasts can shift, but right now, it’s looking flat.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Mon morning. Very mild (max 11°C on Wed afternoon, min 6°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri afternoon, min 3°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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) | N 8 | N 9 | N 8 | N 9 | N 9 | NNW 8 | N 8 | N 20 | N 18 | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | NNW 20 | NW 19 | NW 18 | NNW 4 | NW 16 | NW 16 | NNW 16 | NNW 16 | NNW 17 | W 3 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 28 | 14 | 10 | 25 | 24 | 14 | 5 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 37 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 4 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | glassy | cross | off | glassy | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:55PM3.34m | 7:02AM3.38m | 8:00PM3.69m | 8:07AM3.63m | 8:46PM4.00m | 9:00AM3.89m | 9:27PM4.21m | 9:45AM4.09m | 10:04PM4.32m | 10:25AM4.21m | 10:40PM4.34m | 11:02AM4.24m | 11:15PM4.27m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:55AM1.41m | 00:59AM1.16m | 1:21PM1.20m | 1:59AM0.86m | 2:24PM0.92m | 2:48AM0.58m | 3:12PM0.66m | 3:29AM0.39m | 3:52PM0.49m | 4:07AM0.30m | 4:27PM0.40m | 4:43AM0.31m | 4:59PM0.42m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | | |  | | | |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — |
 | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:14 | — |
mm | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 6 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 12 | 11 | 6 | 11 | 14 | 8 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 16 | 17 | 10 |
Feels °C | 3 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 5 | 10 | 8 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 9 | 10 | 6 | 11 | 11 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 8 | SE 4 | N 8 | N 9 | N 9 | NNW 8 | N 8 | N 8 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | E 4 | NW 19 | NW 18 | NW 17 | NW 16 | NW 16 | NNW 16 | NNW 4 | NW 4 | NNW 4 |
| kJ | 28 | 6 | 10 | 25 | 24 | 14 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 4 | 93 | 82 | 47 | 41 | 64 | 25 | 1 | 5 | 4 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | N 9 | ENE 4 | NE 4 | NW 13 | — | — | N 20 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 5 | NW 6 | NW 4 | NNW 4 | NW 4 | — | NNW 4 | NNW 16 | NNW 17 | NW 16 |
| kJ | 6 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 7 | — | — | 8 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 27 | 28 | 10 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 16 | ENE 5 | SE 3 | N 14 | — | — | — | — | N 18 | NW 17 | NW 16 | NNW 20 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 11 |
| kJ | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | — | — | — | — | 6 | 12 | 10 | 37 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 4 | SE 4 | SE 3 | — | NE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 3 | — | — | SW 2 | — | — | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | NW 6 | W 3 |
| kJ | 16 | 16 | 3 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 49 | 2 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 97 | 21 | 97 | 28 | 102 | 97 | 68 | 68 | 101 | 2 | 128 | 2 | 68 | 68 | 68 | 68 | 128 | 68 | 68 | 68 | 68 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Nelson - Tasman Bay | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Inner Cut Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Inner Cut provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Inner Cut can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Inner Cut 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 (Inner Cut) 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 Inner Cut 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 Nelson - Tasman Bay? If you are looking for accommodation near Inner Cut, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Nelson - Tasman Bay, consider staying in Nelson which is 2 km (1 miles) away. Alternatively, find information about places to stay and car hire in Blenheim which is 64 km (40 miles) away
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