Wharariki Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.51° S 172.67° E

Wharariki Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 18 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Wharariki Beach sea temperature is
14.8° C
1.3° 

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 18 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 16s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 17s period, W swell with 3,235 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 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 Sunday (Jul 19) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Wharariki Beach in the next 16 days are 2.3m 17s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) 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 1.5m 6s period and expected on Monday (Jul 20) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Sun 19th Jul)4.5ft (1.3m) 16s
Best Surf 6PM (Sat 25th Jul)5.5ft (1.7m) 16s
Most Powerful12AM (Sun 19th Jul)7.5ft (2.3m) 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.

Well, we’ve got a bit of a mixed bag over the next 16 days, and honestly, it’s a pretty slow start. The first real chance to wet a line won’t come until Sunday the 19th. Before that, there’s a blank run with nothing worth paddling out for.

The standout session across the whole period is Sunday morning, July 19th, at Wharariki Beach. The swell is a solid 4ft out of the west, with a long 16-second period. That’s proper groundswell, and it’s heading straight into the exposed beach. The wind is a clean offshore from the southeast at just 6 mph, so expect glassy, lined-up waves. The water’s sitting at 59°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. Combined wave energy is moderate at 954. Keep an eye on the crowds, though – this spot can get busy, and with conditions this good, it’ll be popular.

The rest of the week is a struggle. Saturday afternoon the 18th has a 7ft west swell with a very long 18-second period, but a howling 25 mph cross-offshore wind from the WSW makes it a mess. The combined energy is strong at 3472, but it’s not for paddling – that setup looks more interesting for kite surfing. Monday the 20th and Tuesday the 21st are all poor, with strong winds and small, weak swell.

We get a brief reprieve on Wednesday morning the 22nd – tiny 1ft waves from the WSW, but it’s absolutely glassy. Only for the patient, though. The energy is weak at 121. Then it’s back to rubbish through Thursday and Friday the 24th, with messy cross-shore winds and rain.

The next sniff of decent surf arrives on Saturday the 25th. A 6ft west swell with a 14-second period, and cross-offshore winds from the WSW at 22 mph. The combined energy is strong at 1357, but with that wind, it’s still a bit on the edge. The morning looks cleaner than the afternoon.

Sunday the 26th holds a 6ft west swell with a 15-second period, but the wind is light cross-shore from the east. It’s bumpy, but the energy is there at 1510. It’s a marginal call.

The best run of the second week looks to be Monday the 27th. A 4ft west swell, 13-second period, with light offshore winds from the southeast in the morning, then turning glassy in the afternoon. Clean, small waves at Wharariki Beach. The combined energy is moderate at 488.

Tuesday the 28th and Wednesday the 29th are small and clean in the mornings, but the swell fades. Thursday the 30th and Friday the 31st are blown out with strong onshore winds and rain. The period wraps up with a small, clean Saturday morning on August 1st – a 4ft west swell, 13-second period, glassy conditions, and a combined energy of 422. It’s a nice little session, but small.

So, overall, the pick is crystal clear: Sunday morning, July 19th, at Wharariki Beach. Set your alarm.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Sat afternoon, min 10°C on Mon night). Mainly strong winds.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Fri morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Tue afternoon, min 10°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed night, strong winds from the NNW by Thu night).

Sat
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
0
3
3
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
2
0
0
0
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2
W
18
2.3
W
17
1.3
W
16
1.5
W
16
1.2
W
15
1
W
14
1
W
14
0.9
W
14
0.8
W
13
1.1
W
13
0.5
W
12
0.4
WSW
12
0.4
WSW
12
0.8
W
13
0.9
W
13
0.9
W
13
0.6
W
13
1.5
W
10
1.4
W
9
1.3
W
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2538
3235
853
1106
606
405
394
293
219
404
77
47
47
215
272
276
119
467
318
697
Wind (km/h)
40
WSW
50
WSW
10
SSE
10
NE
25
ESE
35
ESE
30
ESE
15
ESE
25
WSW
35
W
25
SW
5
S
5
NW
5
E
20
W
30
WNW
35
NW
30
W
35
WSW
35
WSW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
glassy
glassy
glassy
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
1:08AM3.33m
1:33PM3.07m
1:53AM3.14m
2:19PM2.91m
2:38AM2.93m
3:08PM2.75m
3:27AM2.72m
4:01PM2.60m
4:22AM2.55m
5:00PM2.50m
5:25AM2.44m
6:06PM2.47m
Low Tide
6:55PM0.14m
7:25AM0.16m
7:41PM0.30m
8:10AM0.33m
8:28PM0.50m
8:57AM0.52m
9:18PM0.70m
9:46AM0.70m
10:13PM0.87m
10:42AM0.85m
11:15PM0.99m
11:45AM0.93m
00:22AM1.02m
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
rain showers
heavy rain
cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:46
7:46
7:45
7:43
7:43
7:43
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:22
5:23
5:24
5:25
5:27
5:27
5:28
 mm
5
15
Temp °C
13
13
13
13
12
11
11
11
12
13
11
12
12
12
13
13
13
13
13
11
Feels °C
5
4
11
9
7
4
4
5
5
7
4
11
11
10
9
6
6
8
5
3
  • 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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