Wharariki Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.51° S 172.67° E

Wharariki Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 03 Sep 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 2 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 5 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 17s period, WNW swell with 4,035 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 5 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s 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 Saturday (Sep 05) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 7s 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 2.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore 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 08) at 6PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Sat 5th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 14s
Best Surf 3AM (Sat 5th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 14s
Most Powerful 9AM (Sun 6th Sep)8ft (2.5m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

Rusty here, dialled into the forecast for Wharariki Beach. It’s a wild stretch of exposed coast out here, and the next couple of weeks are lookin’ like a real mixed bag of power and pain. We’ve got a monster run of swell on the way, but the wind is gonna be the main character for a lot of it, and that’s not always a good thing.

To start, there’s a bit of a wait. The first few days are a write-off. Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th are an absolute mess with a strong cross-shore wind and waves that are just lumpy and ugly. The swell is there, but you wouldn’t want to be out in it. The energy is moderate to very strong (493 to 2593), but it’s all for nothing with that wind. Saturday the 5th morning has some potential, but it’s a big one. We’re lookin’ at a 10.0 ft swell from the west with a 14-second period, and the combined energy is massive (3405). The wind is cross-offshore and clean, so the waves will be shaped, but at 10.0 ft, this is expert territory only. It’s simply too big for most.

The real standout, and the only time I’d be paddling out, is Monday morning, the 7th of September. The stars finally align. We’ve got a 6.6 ft swell from the west-northwest, which is the optimum direction for this break, with a 10-second period. The wind is a light offshore from the south at only 9.3 mph, so it’s gonna be glassy and clean. The combined energy is strong (1611), and the report says it’s excellent for experienced surfers. That’s your window. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no need to worry about a weird thermal shock. Crowds are never a problem here, so you’ll likely have it all to yourself.

After that, it’s back to the struggle. The wind swings around again through the week, and the swell just keeps hammering. By the 10th and 11th of September, we’re talkin’ 13.0 ft + swell from the west with periods up to 18 seconds. The energy readings are off the charts (10121 on the 11th morning), but the wind is a strong cross-offshore, which cleans it up a bit. Still, 13.0 ft is a monster, and even with clean conditions, that’s a paddle-out for the absolute elite only. The long period (18 seconds) will make these waves fat and powerful, and at a beach break like Wharariki, they’ll be breaking fast and straight, which is a real handful.

The second week is a repeat of the same story. The swell stays big, and the wind is relentless. Strong to near-gale cross-shore and cross-offshore winds dominate. By the 16th and 18th of September, we’re still seeing 10.0 ft swell with very long periods (18 seconds) and very strong energy (4684). The wind is still a problem, though. The 18th morning has a fresh cross-shore, but the energy is just too much for a fun paddle. It’s a constant battle between big swell and bad wind.

If you’re a kite surfer, this stretch is gonna be a dream. The strong, consistent cross-shore wind and the big, clean swell are a perfect combo. But for a paddle surfer, the only real shot is Monday morning, the 7th. That’s the one. Don’t miss it.

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu afternoon, min 11°C on Fri afternoon). Mainly near gales.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 23mm), heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun afternoon, min 10°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NNW on Sun afternoon, light winds from the SE by Mon morning).

Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
AM
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
0
4
2
3
0
1
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)
1.4
WNW
8
1.5
WNW
10
1.3
W
15
4
WNW
9
3.5
WNW
10
3
W
10
3
W
14
3
W
14
3
WNW
16
2.5
WNW
17
2.2
W
17
2.5
WNW
16
1.2
W
15
1.8
W
14
1.8
W
13
1.5
W
12
2
W
11
1.3
W
9
1.4
W
7
2.2
W
7
2
W
6
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
270
425
720
2480
2149
1916
3253
3335
4014
4035
2637
3485
644
1280
1070
650
941
293
173
430
295
Wind (km/h)
30
WNW
30
WNW
40
NW
55
W
55
W
50
WSW
40
W
40
W
35
WNW
30
NW
45
NNW
40
NW
5
ESE
30
ESE
10
NE
40
WSW
35
W
20
NNE
40
WSW
45
W
55
WNW
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
High Tide
1:53PM2.97m
2:16AM2.88m
2:49PM2.81m
3:19AM2.69m
4:00PM2.68m
4:39AM2.57m
5:25PM2.66m
6:06AM2.60m
6:45PM2.79m
7:20AM2.75m
7:50PM2.99m
8:19AM2.95m
8:43PM3.20m
Low Tide
8:08PM0.52m
8:36AM0.55m
9:09PM0.70m
9:42AM0.72m
10:25PM0.81m
11:02AM0.80m
11:50PM0.79m
12:23PM0.73m
1:07AM0.63m
1:32PM0.55m
2:08AM0.41m
2:28PM0.34m
2:59AM0.19m
clear
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
light rain
rain showers
light rain
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:50
6:48
6:47
6:46
6:43
6:41
6:41
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:07
6:07
6:08
6:09
6:09
6:10
6:12
 mm
2
9
3
2
4
1
1
18
3
1
Temp °C
14
15
15
15
12
12
12
13
13
13
14
14
13
10
11
12
11
11
12
12
13
Feels °C
8
10
9
4
0
1
4
5
5
7
7
10
12
3
7
3
3
5
2
2
3
  • 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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