Wharariki Beach surf break

Wharariki Beach surfForecast / Nelson – West Coast / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 am Saturday 16 May 2026 NZST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Wharariki Beach surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Wharariki Beach sea temperature is
15.6° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)

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 Sunday (May 17) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m 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 2.4m 9s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (May 23) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Saturday (May 16) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Sun 17th May)3ft (0.9m) 16s
Best Surf12PM (Sun 17th May)3ft (0.9m) 16s
Most Powerful 3PM (Sat 23rd May)8ft (2.4m) 9s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 11°C on Sat night, min 9°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu night, min 10°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Tue morning, fresh winds from the W by Wed afternoon).

Saturday
16
Sunday
17
Monday
18
Tuesday
19
Wednesday
20
Thursday
21
Friday
22
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
1
2
2
2
1
1
2
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
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)
0.4
WNW
21
0.6
W
20
0.8
W
18
1
W
16
0.9
W
16
0.7
W
14
0.6
W
14
0.5
W
13
0.5
W
16
0.7
W
15
0.7
W
14
0.7
W
14
0.6
W
13
0.6
W
13
0.5
W
13
0.4
W
12
0.4
W
12
0.9
NNW
6
1.3
NNW
6
1.6
NNW
7
2
NNW
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
153
276
399
515
402
202
140
85
132
228
202
199
125
125
82
45
44
52
147
254
509
Wind (km/h)
15
ESE
10
E
20
ESE
15
SE
15
E
10
SE
10
ESE
5
NNE
5
SSE
5
SW
20
W
30
WSW
30
W
35
W
40
W
30
W
20
WNW
25
WNW
20
NNW
20
NNW
30
N
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
High Tide
9:09AM3.31m
9:37PM3.39m
9:57AM3.39m
10:24PM3.47m
10:46AM3.39m
11:12PM3.48m
11:36AM3.32m
00:02AM3.42m
12:28PM3.19m
00:55AM3.30m
1:23PM3.02m
1:51AM3.14m
2:22PM2.84m
2:51AM2.98m
Low Tide
3:24PM-0.00m
3:50AM0.05m
4:12PM-0.05m
4:38AM-0.00m
4:59PM-0.04m
5:28AM0.02m
5:49PM0.04m
6:20AM0.11m
6:40PM0.18m
7:15AM0.24m
7:35PM0.34m
8:13AM0.40m
8:33PM0.51m
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
mod rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:28
7:30
7:31
7:31
7:31
7:33
7:33
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:21
5:20
5:19
5:19
5:17
5:16
5:15
1
1
6
Temp °C
10
10
11
10
11
11
10
11
11
10
11
11
11
11
11
14
14
15
15
16
17
7
8
8
6
9
9
8
9
9
9
6
5
5
4
3
9
11
11
11
13
12
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
W
12
0.6
W
13
0.8
W
18
1
W
16
0.9
W
16
0.7
W
14
0.6
W
14
0.5
W
13
0.5
W
16
0.7
W
15
0.7
W
14
0.7
W
14
0.6
W
13
0.6
W
13
0.5
W
13
0.4
W
12
0.4
W
12
0.9
NNW
6
0.5
NW
12
0.3
W
16
0.6
NW
12
Energy kJ
113
119
399
515
402
202
140
85
132
228
202
199
125
125
82
45
44
52
74
46
122
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
WNW
21
0.6
W
20
0.5
W
13
0.2
WNW
16
0.2
ENE
4
0.1
NW
15
0.4
E
4
0.3
ENE
4
0.5
W
13
0.1
W
21
0.1
W
20
0.1
W
20
0.1
W
19
0.2
W
19
0.2
W
18
0.3
W
11
0.3
W
11
0.2
WNW
14
0.2
W
15
Energy kJ
153
276
84
26
1
8
5
3
88
9
7
8
7
28
25
22
22
18
17
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
E
6
0.2
W
16
0.2
W
20
0.3
W
19
0.2
NNW
6
0.1
W
8
0.2
WNW
15
0.2
W
16
0.2
W
11
0.2
W
10
Energy kJ
7
20
30
62
3
1
21
21
9
8
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
E
5
0.7
E
5
1.2
E
6
0.7
ESE
4
0.6
E
4
0.6
E
4
0.4
SE
4
0.6
W
4
0.6
W
4
0.8
W
4
0.7
W
4
0.3
WNW
3
0.7
NNW
4
1.3
NNW
6
1.6
NNW
7
2
NNW
8
Energy kJ
17
22
91
21
13
15
4
12
11
19
14
2
18
147
254
509
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
3
3
2
2
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
2
2
Distance (km)
0
7
11
11
0
0
0
0
0
0
111
111
111
154
111
34
111
111
99
95
95
Best forecast wave conditions in Nelson - West Coast
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
3
2
1
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
6
4
7
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
6
5
9
6
5
9
7
6
5
  • 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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