Surf Forecasts:
Wharariki Beach surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 17 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 15s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, WNW swell with 1,502 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 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 (Aug 17) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 15s. 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 9s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.2m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Wharariki Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, mate, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks.
First up, the start of this run is a bit of a letdown. We’ve got some swell pushing in, but it’s got a chunk of wind and less-than-ideal conditions with it. This isn’t a time to be charging; it’s more of a watch-and-wait situation. The energy in the water is there, with a moderate wave energy of 1745, but it's just not lining up for a good wave right now.
As we move through the early days, next week’s surf is going to be on the smaller side and pretty messy. The winds are mostly cross or onshore, which will chop things up. You’re looking at smaller, weaker surf, with energy readings dropping below 900. It’s worth a look if you’re desperate, but I wouldn't be getting excited. The real story is further out.
Hold on to your board, because there’s a window on the 24th and 25th that looks like the standout of the whole period. This is the one to circle on the calendar. We're talking a proper West swell arriving, with a solid 8ft of surf on the Monday afternoon, and the energy jumps way up to 2620. The wind swings offshore, cleaning it right up. This is experienced surfer territory, though—that size is going to be pushing it for anyone still learning the ropes. Then Tuesday morning on the 25th, we get the glassy conditions—a complete glass-off with a light NNE breeze. The swell is still a chunky 7ft and the energy is strong at 2157. This is the pick of the bunch: cleaner, powerful, and holding its size. It’s a bit of a drive to get to Wharariki Beach for the first one, but this is what you wait for.
After that, the swell drops off pretty quickly. The rest of that week and into the first few days of September the surf fades away to below 3ft, and it just doesn't have any punch. The energy levels fall right off, dropping to the low hundreds. It’s back to the small stuff, and while the wind might be offshore, there just isn’t enough swell to get the heart pumping.
So, the long and short of it: don't waste your time for the next week. The 24th and 25th are the days to make a plan for. The surf will be solid, the winds will be right, and it should be a proper session for those who are up for it. As for the rest, it’s a waiting game.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sun morning. Very mild (max 12°C on Tue afternoon, min 7°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SE on Sun morning, light winds from the ENE by Mon morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri night, min 10°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed night, strong winds from the W by Fri afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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 | W 15 | W 14 | W 14 | W 13 | W 14 | W 16 | W 16 | W 15 | W 14 | W 14 | W 14 | W 16 | W 5 | W 14 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1745 | 1571 | 1344 | 858 | 606 | 489 | 181 | 511 | 436 | 875 | 822 | 726 | 407 | 324 | 236 | 318 | 0 | 146 | 432 | 707 | 1267 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on | off | cross | cross-off | on | on | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 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 | 3:31AM2.47m | 4:09PM2.44m | 4:39AM2.33m | 5:24PM2.37m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 9:51AM0.95m | 10:28PM1.08m | 11:00AM1.06m | 11:45PM1.12m | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  | | | | |  | |  | | | | | | |  | |  | |
 | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — |
 | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 |
Feels °C | 2 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | 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 | W 16 | — | W 14 | W 14 | — | — |
| kJ | 1745 | 1571 | 1344 | 858 | 606 | 489 | 181 | 511 | 436 | 875 | 822 | 726 | 407 | 324 | 236 | 318 | — | 146 | 4 | — | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NW 15 | WNW 15 | E 5 | W 9 | W 8 | W 5 | W 18 | E 5 | E 4 | WNW 15 | WNW 15 | — | — | — | — | W 14 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 58 | 22 | 7 | 38 | 64 | 1 | 99 | 8 | 3 | 23 | 21 | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | W 6 | — | E 4 | W 18 | — | E 13 | E 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 25 | — | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 3 | WNW 3 | WNW 3 | W 4 | W 5 | W 5 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 |
| kJ | 101 | 191 | 186 | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 4 | 3 | 18 | 155 | 46 | 432 | 707 | 1267 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 111 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 4 | 152 | 34 | 34 | 111 | 0 | 4 | 111 | 34 | 111 | 111 | 111 | 152 | 152 | 192 |
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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