Wharariki Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.51° S 172.67° E

Wharariki Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 10 Aug 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 10 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 15 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 17s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 18s period, W swell with 2,940 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 17s 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 Thursday (Aug 13) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m and 6s 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 2.2m 18s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) 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 1.6m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Thu 13th Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 17s
Best Surf 6AM (Sat 15th Aug)5ft (1.5m) 17s
Most Powerful 6PM (Sat 15th Aug)7ft (2.2m) 18s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, this is Rusty, and I’m lookin’ at the coast here over the next couple of weeks. There’s a slow start—no point sugar-coating it. First few days are pretty grim with strong cross-shore winds and lumpy conditions. We’re talkin’ about a nearly three-day stretch of nothing worth paddling for.

But if you’re patient, the payoff lands on Saturday, 15 August, in the afternoon at Wharariki Beach. The wind goes offshore out of the south at 12 mph, clean and glassy. The west swell delivers waves averaging 8 ft with a long 18-second period. That’s a heavy groundswell, and it’s pumping—energy reading is 3250. This spot is exposed, takes the optimum northwest swell, and the lineup will have some serious power. Not for beginners—at this size, you’d better be comfortable in overhead surf. The sets will be clean, lined up, and the conditions will be excellent for experienced crew.

Sunday, 16 August, afternoon runs a close second—6 ft west swell, still a strong 16-second period, with a light south-southeast offshore breeze at 12 mph. Not as big as Saturday, but cleaner and very consistent.

Water temp is around 57° right now, about a degree off what’s normal for this time of year, so it’s not unusually cold or warm. Again, a 3/2 wetsuit is fine.

Monday, 17 August, afternoon goes totally glassy—east-northeast wind goes dead calm, the swell drops to 4 ft, but the ride is smooth and clean. That’s a good session for the intermediate crew who want a fun, workable wave.

The days before Saturday are a mess. Wednesday the 12th through Friday the 14th are cross-shore, onshore, or just weak and messy. Wednesday the 12th afternoon gets a quick blast of north wind at 21 mph with 6 ft waves and only 7-second period—total closeout slop.

Into the second week, from the 18th onward, things get smaller. We’re talkin’ waves in the 2–3 ft range with long-period west swell (14–16 seconds) and clean, light winds in the morning. On Tuesday the 18th afternoon, a 5 mph northwesterly goes glassy, making those 3 ft waves super clean. Wednesday the 19th morning, Thursday the 20th morning and afternoon, they all have light airs and clean lines. Friday the 21st morning has some clouds and a gentle 9 mph ESE cross-off wind—nothing special, but it’s surfable.

From the 22nd onward, the surf fades hard—waves drop to 1–2 ft, and the wind starts howling. The 24th and 25th have strong southeast winds over 25 mph, with a very long-period west swell (19–21 seconds), but it’s blown out and messy—maybe worth it for the kite crew, but not for a paddle.

Bottom line: Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th are your best shot. After that, it’s small but clean.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 22mm), heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 13°C on Mon afternoon, min 11°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 13°C on Thu afternoon, min 10°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light.

Mon
10
Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
Sunday
16
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
2
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
2
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.5
W
15
0.8
W
14
0.7
W
13
0.6
W
19
0.5
W
18
0.5
W
16
1.7
N
7
2
N
8
1.3
WNW
10
1.3
WNW
11
0.8
W
16
0.9
W
16
0.7
W
18
1.1
W
18
2
W
18
2
W
18
2
W
17
1.8
W
16
1.6
W
16
1.4
W
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
940
257
167
260
152
129
303
466
361
346
338
432
301
735
2463
2429
2320
1647
1258
858
Wind (km/h)
35
W
15
ENE
20
E
25
ESE
30
ESE
20
ESE
20
NE
20
ENE
20
NE
15
NE
20
SE
15
SE
15
ESE
5
SSW
5
SSW
15
WSW
10
SE
5
ESE
25
ENE
25
SE
Wind State
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross
cross-off
High Tide
7:59PM3.00m
8:28AM2.97m
8:56PM3.22m
9:23AM3.14m
9:47PM3.40m
10:11AM3.27m
10:32PM3.51m
10:56AM3.34m
11:15PM3.53m
11:38AM3.34m
11:56PM3.47m
12:18PM3.27m
00:35AM3.33m
Low Tide
2:17AM0.43m
2:40PM0.32m
3:13AM0.21m
3:32PM0.14m
4:03AM0.04m
4:19PM0.01m
4:48AM-0.06m
5:03PM-0.04m
5:30AM-0.08m
5:45PM-0.01m
6:11AM-0.01m
6:26PM0.10m
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
light rain
heavy rain
light rain
light rain
light rain
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
mod rain
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:24
7:22
7:20
7:20
7:18
7:16
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:44
5:45
5:45
5:46
5:47
5:49
5:50
 mm
3
17
2
2
1
7
1
3
1
Temp °C
13
12
11
11
11
12
12
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
11
9
9
Feels °C
5
8
6
6
6
8
8
9
10
10
11
10
10
11
11
11
12
9
4
1
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  • 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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