
Surf Forecasts:
Tuhawaiki Point surf forecast from 10 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 18 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 17s period, SSE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 18 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 17s period, SSE swell with 1,931 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 11 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 18s period with SE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Tuhawaiki Point this week:
The surf forecast for Tuhawaiki Point over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 11) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 4s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Tuhawaiki Point in the next 16 days are 1.9m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 18) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 10s period and expected on Friday (Sep 18) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Fri 11th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 6ft (1.9m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 6ft (1.9m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Tuhawaiki Point over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about the next couple of weeks for Tuhawaiki Point. This spot doesn’t fire all the time, and there’s a bit of a wait for the good stuff. We’re looking at a real slow start, but there’s a window of promise if you’re patient.
The opening days are pretty flat and ordinary. Friday the 11th offers tiny 1ft waves from the SSE with a very long 18-second period, but the energy is weak (129). The Friday morning is a bit cross-off, but the afternoon turns glassy with a light SSE breeze. It’s clean, but with only 1ft on offer, there’s hardly enough to get a proper ride. It’s more of a paddle than a surf.
Then we hit a serious gap. From Saturday the 12th through to the end of the first week, the conditions are a real mixed bag. Saturday morning the 12th sees a pulse of 3ft swell from the SSE (16-second period) with glassy wind and moderate energy (523). That’s the pick of the early period, but it’s still small. The afternoon goes cross-on and choppy. Sunday the 13th drops back to 2ft, with a clean morning but a messy afternoon. After that, it’s a long, dry spell of tiny surf and poor conditions right through to Thursday the 18th.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. The standout session is shaping up for Friday morning, the 18th of September. We’ve got a solid 4ft swell from the SSE, with a long 16-second period. The combined energy jumps to a moderate 683, and the wind is a fresh cross-off from the SW, keeping it clean. That’s the best looking window in the whole run. The swell direction is close to the optimum ENE, and the long period should produce some nice lines at this point break. For a spot that’s known to be inconsistent, this is a legitimate chance to get a few good ones. It’s still a bit small for a real standout, but in this stretch, it’s the clear winner.
After that, the surf fades again. The rest of the second week is a mix of tiny, short-period junk and onshore slop. Saturday the 19th has a 2ft ENE swell but with a period of only 7 seconds – that’s windswell, and it’s not worth the drive. The final days into the 25th and 26th are all under 3ft and mostly poor.
So, the bottom line: don’t bother for the first week. The 18th is your best bet, but it’s a long way out, so keep an eye on it. Other than that, it’s a quiet stretch for this part of the coast.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Sun morning, min 2°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue morning, min 7°C on Wed afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | ||||||||||||||
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 18 | SSE 18 | SE 17 | SSE 16 | SSE 16 | SE 16 | SSE 13 | SE 12 | SE 13 | SE 11 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | ENE 4 | SE 5 | ESE 4 | SSE 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
82 | 120 | 74 | 171 | 519 | 636 | 212 | 149 | 170 | 126 | 67 | 46 | 21 | 8 | 7 | 3 | 18 | 7 | 21 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:42AM2.44m | 3:26PM2.37m | 3:36AM2.41m | 4:12PM2.26m | 4:30AM2.36m | 4:52PM2.13m | 5:19AM2.31m | 5:30PM2.03m | 6:05AM2.24m | 6:13PM1.98m | 6:51AM2.16m | 7:08PM1.98m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:59AM0.43m | 9:15PM0.53m | 9:55AM0.43m | 10:05PM0.54m | 10:49AM0.47m | 10:52PM0.55m | 11:38AM0.54m | 11:37PM0.58m | 12:20PM0.61m | 00:24AM0.65m | 1:01PM0.67m | 1:15AM0.74m | |||||||
— | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
— | — | 6:17 | — | — | 6:19 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:21 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:23 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 13 | 12 |
Temp °C | 7 | 11 | 11 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 14 | 16 | 13 | 18 | 18 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 7 |
Feels °C | 4 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 2 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 4 | SSE 18 | SE 17 | SSE 7 | SSE 16 | SE 16 | SSE 13 | SE 12 | SSE 16 | SE 11 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | ENE 4 | SE 5 | SE 14 | SSE 6 |
8 | 120 | 74 | 56 | 519 | 580 | 212 | 149 | 26 | 126 | 67 | 46 | 21 | 7 | 7 | 1 | 18 | 7 | 21 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 18 | E 8 | E 8 | SSE 16 | E 8 | SSE 16 | SE 17 | SE 16 | E 13 | S 16 | SSE 15 | SE 15 | ENE 3 | — | — | SE 8 | E 6 | E 14 | E 4 |
82 | 5 | 5 | 171 | 1 | 636 | 70 | 65 | 3 | 5 | 22 | 9 | 1 | — | — | 3 | 1 | 4 | 1 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 15 | — | E 8 | E 13 | E 13 | ENE 3 | — | E 13 | E 12 | — | E 12 | SE 15 | SE 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 8 | SE 16 |
10 | 4 | — | 5 | 3 | 14 | 1 | — | 3 | 3 | — | 3 | 9 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 10 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 13 | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 3 | — | ENE 6 | ESE 4 | SSW 6 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 170 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 3 | 5 | 176 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 87 | 1 | 0 | 87 | 0 | 0 | 137 | 87 | 87 | 137 | 164 | 156 | 201 | 3 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Canterbury | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
Information about the Tuhawaiki Point Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Tuhawaiki Point provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Tuhawaiki Point can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Tuhawaiki Point 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 (Tuhawaiki Point) 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 Tuhawaiki Point 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.
Tuhawaiki Point is 5 km (3 miles) from the city of Timaru. If you plan a holiday in Canterbury, look for hotels and other accommodation in Timaru. Timaru has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










