Wharariki Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.51° S 172.67° E

Wharariki Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 04 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Wharariki Beach sea temperature is
13.9°C
0.8° 

Wharariki Beach surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Wharariki Beach surf forecast from 3 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 5 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 11 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 20s period, W swell with 11,527 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 5 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period with W swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Wharariki Beach this week:

The surf forecast for Wharariki Beach over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 05) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 15s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Wharariki Beach in the next 16 days are 4.0m 20s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 11) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.2m 6s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Sat 5th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 14s
Best Surf 3AM (Sat 5th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 14s
Most Powerful 6AM (Fri 11th Sep)13ft (4.0m) 20s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the table for our stretch of coast.

Right off the bat, I gotta tell ya, it's a rough start. The first few days are a write-off. We're looking at a solid block of nothing from Friday the 4th right through until Tuesday the 8th. The wind is howling, the swell is all over the place, and it's just not worth paddling out. It's a real kick in the teeth, but that's the way it goes sometimes.

The first real chance to get wet doesn't come until Tuesday the 8th of September, and even then it's a marginal call. Wharariki Beach is the only game in town. Tuesday morning is looking at a 4 ft swell from the west, with a 13-second period. The combined wave energy is sitting at a moderate 506. The wind is crossing-offshore, which should keep the surface clean. It's not going to be a world-beater, but you might find a few. Tuesday afternoon bumps up a touch to 5 ft from the west, period drops to 12 seconds, and the energy is a moderate 675. Still clean, still marginal. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no major surprises there.

Honestly, the standout period is a long way off, but it's worth keeping an eye on. The 11th of September, that's a Friday. Wharariki Beach is set to see a massive 15 ft groundswell from the west, with a very long 19-second period. The combined energy is a massive 13341 – that's some serious power. The wind is forecast to be light, crossing-offshore, making for clean conditions. The only problem is, at over 8 ft, this is strictly for the experts. It's a heavy, powerful, long-period groundswell, which might not be the best for a beach break, but if you're experienced and know the spot, it could be an incredible session. It's a long way out, so don't book the day off work just yet, but it's a promising blip on the radar.

After that, the 14th of September, a Monday afternoon, looks like a more user-friendly option. We're looking at a 5 ft west swell with a 15-second period and a moderate energy of 1125. The wind is forecast to be light from the northeast, going glassy. That's a magic word. It's excellent conditions for experienced surfers, so expect a clean, well-shaped wave.

The rest of the 16-day window is a mixed bag of too much wind, too much swell, or messy conditions. The 18th of September, a Friday afternoon, does have another clean 8 ft WNW swell with a 12-second period and a light offshore wind, which is another one for the experienced crew.

So, to wrap it up: The first week is a dud. The clear standout is the 11th of September for the big-wave chargers, but it's a long-range call. The most reliable, clean option for the intermediate surfer is likely the Monday afternoon on the 14th of September. Keep your eyes on the forecasts because it can change, but for now, that's the story.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 27mm), heaviest during Fri morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri morning, min 11°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the W on Fri afternoon, moderate winds from the NNW by Sun night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 23mm), heaviest during Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Wed afternoon, min 10°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (near gales from the SE on Mon morning, light winds from the WSW by Mon night).

Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
!
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
2
2
0
1
0
0
0
0
!
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3.5
WNW
9
3.5
WNW
10
3
W
10
3
W
14
3
W
15
3
W
16
3
WNW
17
2.3
W
17
3
WNW
16
2.1
NW
9
1.6
NW
9
1
W
14
0.9
W
13
0.8
W
12
0.8
WNW
9
0.5
W
14
1.8
WNW
12
1.7
W
11
2.5
W
8
2.5
W
8
3.5
W
20
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1951
2329
2149
3533
3866
4293
4805
2864
4213
670
416
388
272
187
110
106
960
686
707
889
9284
Wind (km/h)
55
W
60
W
50
WSW
35
WSW
40
W
35
W
40
NW
45
NW
25
NNW
50
SE
40
SE
10
WSW
15
SW
10
SE
15
ENE
10
N
25
W
40
W
35
W
30
NW
20
SE
Wind State
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
on
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
2:49PM2.81m
3:19AM2.69m
4:00PM2.68m
4:39AM2.57m
5:25PM2.66m
6:06AM2.60m
6:45PM2.79m
7:20AM2.75m
7:50PM2.99m
8:19AM2.95m
8:43PM3.20m
9:09AM3.14m
9:29PM3.37m
Low Tide
9:09PM0.70m
9:42AM0.72m
10:25PM0.81m
11:02AM0.80m
11:50PM0.79m
12:23PM0.73m
1:07AM0.63m
1:32PM0.55m
2:08AM0.41m
2:28PM0.34m
2:59AM0.19m
3:16PM0.16m
rain showers
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
light rain
mod rain
mod rain
mod rain
light rain
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
cloud
light rain
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:48
6:47
6:46
6:43
6:41
6:41
6:39
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:07
6:08
6:09
6:09
6:10
6:12
6:13
 mm
6
1
1
4
2
3
10
6
10
4
1
2
4
12
Temp °C
15
12
12
12
13
13
13
14
14
11
10
12
12
11
11
12
13
11
12
12
10
Feels °C
5
-1
1
4
5
6
5
5
9
1
1
7
9
8
7
8
7
4
5
6
3
  • 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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Information about the Wharariki Beach Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Wharariki Beach provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Wharariki Beach can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Wharariki Beach 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 (Wharariki Beach) 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 Wharariki Beach 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 - West Coast? If you are looking for accommodation near Wharariki Beach, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Nelson - West Coast, consider staying in Nelson which is 100 km (62 miles) away.

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