Surf Forecasts:
Wharariki Beach surf forecast from 14 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 17 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 14s period, W swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 19 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, W swell with 3,384 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 15s 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 Monday (Sep 14) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 6s. 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 15s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 19) at 6PM. 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 Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Mon 14th Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Thu 17th Sep) | 6ft (1.9m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Sat 19th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Wharariki Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s break down Wharariki Beach in feet and miles per hour.
So, the first decent surf shows up Monday the 14th of September. We’ve got a solid 6ft swell out of the west, with a long 16-second period – that’s proper groundswell. The combined energy is at 1391 (moderate), and with the wind coming light from the SSW at just 3 mph, it’s glassy. Water temp is 56°, about average for the season. This is excellent, but it’s strictly for experienced surfers – that power is no joke.
Monday afternoon, the wind cranks up to 19 mph from the WSW, and the quality tanks. Tuesday morning still has some clean leftover swell at 3ft, but the energy is weak (379), so it’s a small-wave day. Tuesday arvo is blown out with 28 mph winds.
Wednesday the 16th and Thursday the 17th are average – lumpy, cross-shore breezes, nothing special. Thursday morning sees a bump to 7ft, but with a short 7-second period, it’s going to be a crumbly mess.
Here’s the highlight: Friday the 18th of September, morning session. We’ve got a 8ft west swell with a 16-second period – long, powerful groundswell. The combined energy is a strong 2599. The wind is light from the west at 6 mph, keeping it clean. This is the best of the whole run. The afternoon is still decent at 7ft but the wind picks up, so dawn patrol is the move.
Saturday the 19th and Sunday the 20th stay big – 8ft to 8ft – but the wind is howling from the west at 25-34 mph, turning it into a windblown mess. The following week is rough: from Monday the 21st through the end of the month, it’s either blown out, cross-shore, or too small. There’s a brief chance on Saturday the 26th of September morning with a 3ft west swell and light ESE winds, but it’s nothing to get excited about.
So, Friday morning is the one. Pounce on it. The rest is mostly a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 13°C on Mon afternoon, min 10°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSW on Mon morning, strong winds from the W by Tue afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri afternoon, min 10°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Fri morning, near gales from the WSW by Sat morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 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 16 | W 15 | W 15 | W 15 | N 12 | N 12 | W 13 | W 13 | NW 11 | N 7 | W 14 | W 12 | W 16 | W 15 | W 15 | W 15 | W 15 | W 15 | W 15 | W 14 | W 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1384 | 1162 | 517 | 343 | 3 | 3 | 87 | 117 | 1167 | 439 | 526 | 1005 | 2589 | 2255 | 2559 | 2412 | 3148 | 2474 | 2396 | 2342 | 1472 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 3:23PM2.43m | 3:56AM2.29m | 4:42PM2.34m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 9:06AM0.99m | 9:47PM1.10m | 10:18AM1.11m | 11:08PM1.15m | ||||||||
 | |  | | |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — |
 | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:17 | — | — | 6:19 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:21 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 4 | 3 | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | 10 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 8 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 16 | W 15 | W 15 | W 15 | N 12 | N 12 | W 13 | W 13 | — | WNW 9 | N 8 | W 12 | W 16 | NNE 7 | WNW 11 | WNW 15 | — | WNW 15 | NW 6 | WNW 15 | WNW 15 |
| kJ | 1384 | 1162 | 517 | 343 | 3 | 3 | 87 | 117 | — | 295 | 451 | 1005 | 2589 | 5 | 11 | 21 | — | 22 | 23 | 21 | 21 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 13 | N 13 | W 7 | W 6 | N 12 | — | W 18 | W 18 | — | W 14 | W 14 | ESE 7 | N 7 | W 10 | WNW 15 | WNW 11 | — | — | WNW 16 | — | — |
| kJ | 7 | 3 | 57 | 33 | 3 | — | 6 | 6 | — | 324 | 526 | 132 | 10 | 268 | 23 | 11 | — | — | 24 | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | N 12 | N 12 | — | — | N 11 | N 11 | — | — | W 9 | W 17 | E 5 | NE 7 | N 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 3 | 3 | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | 210 | 797 | 4 | 8 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | W 6 | W 5 | WNW 4 | WNW 5 | NW 11 | N 7 | — | — | — | W 15 | W 15 | W 15 | W 15 | W 15 | W 15 | W 14 | W 14 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 241 | 98 | 33 | 61 | 1167 | 439 | — | — | — | 2255 | 2559 | 2412 | 3148 | 2474 | 2396 | 2342 | 1472 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 192 | 0 | 0 | 163 | 111 | 192 | 119 | 111 | 163 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 214 | 152 | 152 | 163 | 152 | 152 | 200 | 111 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Nelson - West Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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