Surf Forecasts:
Inner Cut surf forecast from 31 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 7 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 7s period, N swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 8 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 8s period, N swell with 173 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 7 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 7s period with N swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Inner Cut this week:
The surf forecast for Inner Cut over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 07) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 7s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Inner Cut in the next 16 days are 1.2m 8s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 08) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 8s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 08) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Fri 7th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Fri 7th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Sat 8th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Inner Cut over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s chew the fat on the Inner Cut at The Cut, Nelson Harbour. Gotta be straight with you – this is a tough one. The whole 16-day window is looking like a real test of patience. Most days we’re looking at tiny, weak energy, and the first decent glimpse of something surfable doesn’t show up until the 8th of August.
For the first week, it’s flat as a pancake. From Saturday the 1st right through to Friday the 7th, we’re talking about swell heights barely cracking 1ft, with zero energy. It’s a real drought. The water temperature is sitting at 54°, which is about average for this time of year – no surprises there.
Now, things finally get a pulse on Saturday the 8th of August. The morning brings a bit of life with a 4ft swell from the north, with a period of 8 seconds. The wind is glassy, so it’ll be clean. This is a point break, so it can handle a bit of north swell. It’s a start, but the quality is still ordinary. The afternoon sees the swell bump up to 5ft from the NNW, with a period of 8 seconds and a lot more energy. The wind switches to a light cross-shore, which isn’t perfect, but it’s not a total washout. For a spot that’s inconsistent, getting any rideable wave is a win.
After that little spike, it drops off again. Sunday the 9th is back to tiny 2ft with light wind, and then we’re into a long stretch of knee-high slop or less for the rest of the window. The 15th of August has a weird 20-second period swell at 0.7ft, but that’s just a long-period groundswell with no height to speak of. The 16th has a brief offshore wind in the afternoon from the ESE at 12 mph, but with only 1ft of swell, it’s still a non-event.
If you’re desperate for a paddle, the best bet is the Inner Cut on the morning of Saturday, 8th August. That 4ft north swell with glassy conditions is the only real window for a clean, surfable wave. It’s still not firing, but it’s the best of a very quiet bunch. The crowds are listed as “sometimes”, so you might get a few locals out, but it won’t be a circus.
Overall, it’s a lean period. Hang in there, and check back.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 3°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 10°C on Tue morning, min 4°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | N 7 | N 6 | N 6 | N 21 | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | NW 16 | NE 4 | NW 18 | ENE 3 | N 13 | N 12 | N 12 | N 11 | NNW 8 | N 7 | N 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 18 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 13 | 45 | 142 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | glassy | glassy |
High Tide | 11:31AM3.88m | 11:43PM4.17m | 12:08PM3.87m | 00:18AM4.15m | 12:45PM3.83m | 00:54AM4.06m | 1:22PM3.77m | 1:34AM3.92m | 2:01PM3.68m | 2:20AM3.74m | 2:44PM3.55m | 3:15AM3.56m | 3:39PM3.38m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:31PM0.63m | 5:40AM0.73m | 6:03PM0.64m | 6:15AM0.70m | 6:35PM0.72m | 6:53AM0.75m | 7:12PM0.85m | 7:33AM0.86m | 7:55PM1.04m | 8:20AM1.03m | 8:53PM1.24m | 9:17AM1.22m | 10:14PM1.38m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | |  |  | | | |  | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 7:35 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — |
 | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 10 | 10 | 6 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 14 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 5 | 9 | 10 | 9 |
Feels °C | 7 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 7 | 3 | 8 | 10 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 8 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | ENE 4 | N 6 | N 6 | — | NW 19 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | NW 4 | NW 15 | — | — | — | N 12 | N 12 | NW 8 | NNW 8 | N 7 | — |
| kJ | 17 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | 14 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 8 | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | 13 | 45 | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 14 | NE 4 | N 7 | — | — | N 21 | — | NW 18 | NW 17 | NW 16 | NW 16 | — | NW 5 | — | N 13 | N 12 | N 12 | N 11 | N 11 | — | — |
| kJ | 18 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 9 | — | 13 | 12 | 10 | 10 | — | 1 | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NW 13 | — | NW 4 | NW 12 | — | N 7 | — | NW 10 | — | — | — | NW 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 7 | — | 1 | 5 | — | 1 | — | 4 | — | — | — | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 2 | — | — | SW 3 | — | SW 2 | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | WSW 2 | — | — | NE 4 | NE 3 | ENE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 8 |
| kJ | 1 | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 7 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 142 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 102 | 97 | 68 | 68 | 68 | 68 | 68 | 68 | 113 | 94 | 215 | 102 | 102 | 97 | 68 | 68 | 118 | 68 | 68 | 2 | 0 |
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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