Wharariki Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.51° S 172.67° E

Wharariki Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 12 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Wharariki Beach sea temperature is
13.7°C
0.6° 

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 12 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 13 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, W swell with 4,413 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s 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 12) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 2.3m and 16s. 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 3.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 13) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3PM (Sat 12th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 16s
Best Surf 3PM (Sat 12th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 16s
Most Powerful12AM (Sun 13th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk about what's on the menu for the next couple of weeks.

We've got one main spot to focus on: Wharariki Beach. It's an exposed, consistent spot that needs a solid W to NW swell, and we’re going to see plenty of that. The water temp is sitting at 56.7°F, which is pretty much right where you'd expect it to be for this time of year.

Saturday the 12th is the big one. The standout. We’re looking at a massive 9.8ft groundswell pumping in from the west with a very long 16-second period. The combined swell energy is a whopper (4279), and it stays strong all day. The wind is cross-off from the SW, which would usually mean clean conditions, but honestly, this is just too much wave. For the vast majority of surfers, this is a session to watch from the car park. It’s an expert-only day unless you’ve got a death wish.

Sunday the 13th is still on the big side, with the swell dropping from 5.2ft to 7.2ft in the arvo. The winds pick up strong again from the WSW. The water is clean enough, but the energy is still significant (3502 in the PM), and conditions are marginal. It's a pass for me unless you’re feeling ambitious.

Monday the 14th is where it starts to get interesting. The morning has a solid 5.6ft west swell with a 16-second pulse, but the wind drops right off to a slight 3 mph from the south. The conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers, and the combined energy is a more manageable 1388. This is a serious session for the crew who can handle it. The afternoon gets messy with an 18 mph WSW wind.

After Monday, things take a nosedive. Tuesday the 15th through to Thursday the 17th is a write-off. The swell goes tiny or becomes wind-blown chop from various directions. There’s a window on Thursday afternoon the 17th with a 4.3ft clean swell, but the scores aren’t there to get too excited about. Then Friday the 18th looks blown out again by strong SE winds.

Saturday the 19th brings a glimmer of hope. The afternoon session has a clean 6.6ft west swell with a 15-second period, and the wind goes glassy calm from the west. The energy jumps to 1722, and the conditions are considered excellent for experienced surfers. That’s the second real highlight of the forecast, but it's a long way off, so keep an eye on it.

The following week shows some variety. Monday the 21st and Tuesday the 22nd mornings have clean 4.3ft waves with light winds, but the energy is lower. Wednesday the 23rd morning is glassy with a 6.6ft swell, but the period is a short 10 seconds, so it’ll be a bit crumbly and mushy at that beach break. Thursday the 24th morning has a substantial 8.2ft swell from the west with a very long 17-second period. The combined energy is massive again (3377). The wind is a clean cross-off, but for most, it’s too big. The afternoon session on the 24th is another standout candidate – glassy conditions with a 7.9ft west groundswell (2955 energy). That’s a proper slab for the experts if it holds.

The rest of that second week, from Friday the 25th onwards, is a mixed bag. The winds get stronger again, and the quality drops off. There are some clean windows, but the consistency is lacking, and the wind often messes it up. The surf on offer is generally for the more experienced crew, and the best days are definitely Saturday the 12th, Monday the 14th, and Thursday the 24th. Keep an eye on that 24th, it could be a gem.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 10°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Sat night, calm by Sun night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue afternoon, min 9°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Tue afternoon, light winds from the ESE by Thu night).

Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
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
2
2
4
4
2
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
2
3
3
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
W
16
3
W
16
3
W
17
1.6
W
17
1.5
W
16
1.8
W
16
1.7
W
16
1.7
W
15
1.1
W
15
0.9
W
15
0.1
N
12
0.1
N
12
1.3
W
5
0.8
W
13
1.5
WNW
11
1.1
W
14
2.2
W
14
1.3
W
17
2
W
16
2
W
16
2.1
W
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
3990
4279
4413
1451
1201
1611
1384
1310
517
343
3
3
76
212
467
472
1759
969
1963
1928
2147
Wind (km/h)
25
SW
40
WSW
50
WSW
35
WSW
35
WSW
5
WSW
10
SW
35
WSW
15
SW
25
WSW
45
W
40
W
35
W
30
WNW
25
NW
25
W
40
WSW
30
SW
15
ESE
5
NW
20
WSW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
10:32AM3.35m
10:49PM3.46m
11:10AM3.36m
11:26PM3.39m
11:46AM3.29m
00:02AM3.26m
12:22PM3.17m
00:38AM3.07m
12:59PM3.00m
1:15AM2.86m
1:38PM2.80m
1:57AM2.64m
2:24PM2.60m
2:48AM2.43m
Low Tide
4:39PM-0.00m
5:02AM-0.06m
5:18PM0.03m
5:38AM0.02m
5:55PM0.14m
6:14AM0.16m
6:32PM0.31m
6:50AM0.36m
7:11PM0.51m
7:28AM0.58m
7:53PM0.73m
8:12AM0.80m
8:42PM0.94m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
cloud
cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:35
6:33
6:33
6:31
6:28
6:26
6:26
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:15
6:15
6:16
6:17
6:19
6:20
6:21
 mm
1
Temp °C
13
13
12
14
14
12
12
13
12
12
14
13
13
13
13
12
12
10
10
11
11
Feels °C
8
4
2
7
8
10
9
6
9
4
4
5
6
6
8
7
3
2
5
5
5
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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