Surf Forecasts:
Wharariki Beach surf forecast from 14 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 15 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 18s period, W swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 17s period, W swell with 1,863 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 14 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 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 Friday (Aug 14) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 9s. 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 1.8m 17s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) 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 2.0m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Fri 14th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Wharariki Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s get into it.
We’ve got one spot on the radar this forecast period: Wharariki Beach. It’s an exposed beach that picks up a west-northwest swell, and it’s consistent, so there's always something to look at. The water’s sitting at 57° which is pretty standard for this time of year—nothing weird going on there.
The run starts this Friday the 14th, but honestly, it’s just small and marginal. Morning has 3ft from the west with a long 17-second period, but a cross-off SE breeze keeps it clean. Wave energy is weak (589). Afternoon drops to 2ft but stays clean with light south winds and a very long 18-second period (472). It’s not going to light the world on fire, but you can paddle out.
Saturday the 15th is where things get tasty. Morning glassy conditions with a light SSW breeze and a solid 6ft west swell, 16-second period, and strong wave energy (1756). That’s excellent for experienced surfers—big, clean, powerful lines rolling in. If you’ve got the skill, this is the standout morning of the early run. Afternoon stays around 6ft with a cross-off west breeze, still clean and fun for intermediates.
Sunday the 16th holds size at 6ft in the morning from the west, 16 seconds, strong energy (1745), but a SE cross-off wind at 12 mph keeps it clean-ish. The afternoon sees a bit more wind at 19 mph from the SSE, which is still cross-off, but it’s getting breezier. It’s still surfable for those comfortable with overhead waves.
Monday the 17th backs off to 5ft in the morning, very clean with light SE winds and a long 15-second period (858). Good conditions, but the afternoon turns a bit cross-on with WNW wind, though small and still okay for a grovel.
Tuesday morning the 18th is small at 3ft but glassy with an offshore SSE breeze, clean but weak (327). Afternoon gets messy with a strong cross-shore west wind—skip it.
Wednesday the 19th brings a nice little pulse: 4ft west swell, 16 seconds, clean morning with light SE cross-off winds (748). It’s very good surf conditions for the size. Thursday drops off again with weak, onshore winds.
Then we hit a rough patch. From Thursday the 20th afternoon through to the 23rd, it’s mostly blown out or tiny. Friday the 21st has 5ft but with a 16 mph cross-shore west wind making it ugly. Saturday and Sunday are a write-off with near-gale winds and messy seas. There’s about 4 or 5 days there with basically no good surf.
Monday the 24th shows a bit of hope: 8ft from the NNW with a short 8-second period and a cross-off WSW wind, but it’s clean. That’s big and raw—only for experts, and the short period makes it dumpy. Wave energy is strong (1109), but it’s more of a heavy, close-out beach break. If you’re a kite surfer, this whole stretch from the 21st to the 24th might look more interesting than paddle surfing.
Tuesday the 25th is the real late standout. Morning hits 5ft from the west, 16-second period, light SSW cross-off wind, and massive wave energy (2005). That’s excellent for experienced surfers—clean, powerful, long-period groundswell. Afternoon stays at 5ft, 15 seconds, still excellent. If you’re chasing quality, this Tuesday is the pick of the second week. It’s a bit far out, so call it promising but not locked in.
After that, the surf fades again into small, marginal stuff through to the end of the month. The last few days of August have clean tiny waves on the 28th and 29th, but nothing to get excited about.
Bottom line: Saturday the 15th morning and Tuesday the 25th morning are your two true standouts. The rest is filler or blown out.
-Rusty
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri afternoon, min 7°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri night, fresh winds from the SE by Sat night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 11°C on Wed afternoon, min 7°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | |||||||||||||||
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) | W 17 | W 18 | W 18 | W 16 | W 16 | W 16 | W 16 | W 15 | W 15 | W 15 | W 15 | W 14 | W 14 | W 13 | W 14 | W 16 | W 16 | W 15 | W 14 | W 14 | W 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
438 | 298 | 875 | 1714 | 1433 | 1858 | 1745 | 1429 | 1344 | 858 | 606 | 489 | 302 | 356 | 372 | 746 | 701 | 517 | 411 | 329 | 246 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-on | off | off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross | on | cross |
High Tide | 10:56AM3.34m | 11:15PM3.53m | 11:38AM3.34m | 11:56PM3.47m | 12:18PM3.27m | 00:35AM3.33m | 12:58PM3.14m | 1:15AM3.13m | 1:38PM2.97m | 1:55AM2.90m | 2:20PM2.78m | 2:39AM2.67m | 3:09PM2.59m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:03PM-0.04m | 5:30AM-0.08m | 5:45PM-0.01m | 6:11AM-0.01m | 6:26PM0.10m | 6:50AM0.13m | 7:07PM0.28m | 7:30AM0.32m | 7:48PM0.49m | 8:10AM0.54m | 8:32PM0.72m | 8:56AM0.76m | 9:24PM0.93m | ||||||||
7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | |
— | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 |
Feels °C | 9 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | W 18 | W 18 | W 16 | W 16 | W 16 | W 16 | W 15 | W 15 | W 15 | W 15 | W 14 | W 14 | W 13 | W 14 | W 16 | W 16 | W 15 | W 14 | W 14 | W 14 |
149 | 298 | 875 | 1714 | 1433 | 1858 | 1745 | 1429 | 1344 | 858 | 606 | 489 | 302 | 356 | 372 | 746 | 701 | 517 | 411 | 329 | 246 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 17 | W 9 | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 | E 6 | ESE 7 | NW 15 | ESE 7 | E 4 | E 5 | E 4 | E 4 | E 10 | W 18 | — | — | — | E 4 | E 4 | NW 15 |
438 | 78 | 46 | 42 | 79 | 25 | 208 | 57 | 139 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 99 | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 8 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 5 | W 14 | E 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 10 | E 5 | W 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
2 | 96 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 4 | 25 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 3 | SE 3 | — | — | — | — | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 3 | — | — | ENE 3 | WNW 2 | W 3 |
2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 327 | 119 | 180 | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 7 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 163 | 0 | 0 | 163 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 175 | 4 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Nelson - West Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.
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