Wharariki Beach surf break

Wharariki Beach surfForecast / Nelson – West Coast / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 pm Thursday 07 May 2026 NZST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Wharariki Beach surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Wharariki Beach sea temperature is
16.4° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)

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 (May 09) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 1.7m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s 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 4.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Friday (May 08) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (May 13) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Sat 9th May)10ft (3.0m) 13s
Best Surf 6PM (Sat 9th May)10ft (3.0m) 13s
Most Powerful 6PM (Fri 8th May)15ft (4.5m) 10s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 54mm), heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 14°C on Sat afternoon). Winds increasing (fresh winds from the NNW on Thu afternoon, gales from the N by Fri afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun afternoon, min 9°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the WSW on Sun afternoon, calm by Tue morning).

Thu
7
Friday
8
Saturday
9
Sunday
10
Monday
11
Tuesday
12
Wednesday
13
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
1
2
3
2
1
2
2
2
2
Swell
Height Map
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2
N
7
3
NNW
8
3
NNW
8
3.5
N
9
4
NNW
10
4
NW
10
4
WNW
11
2.5
W
12
2.5
W
8
3
W
8
2.5
W
11
2.3
W
14
1.9
W
14
1.5
W
14
1.3
W
13
0.8
W
13
1
W
13
0.9
WSW
14
0.8
WSW
14
0.7
W
14
0.6
W
18
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
377
1140
1072
1982
2789
3850
3670
1738
985
1110
1639
1890
1290
816
599
222
366
327
247
184
216
Wind (km/h)
40
NNW
45
N
50
N
55
NNE
55
NW
45
WNW
45
WSW
50
WSW
55
WSW
55
WSW
35
WSW
35
NE
20
N
20
SW
5
SSW
10
SE
20
SE
10
ESE
5
NNW
10
SW
10
SE
on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
1:44AM2.71m
2:07PM2.52m
2:36AM2.61m
3:04PM2.43m
3:35AM2.56m
4:10PM2.41m
4:39AM2.58m
5:17PM2.49m
5:41AM2.68m
6:18PM2.64m
6:38AM2.83m
7:13PM2.84m
7:31AM3.01m
Low Tide
7:31PM0.74m
8:04AM0.82m
8:21PM0.85m
8:59AM0.90m
9:18PM0.92m
10:01AM0.90m
10:22PM0.93m
11:05AM0.82m
11:27PM0.85m
12:05PM0.67m
00:27AM0.72m
12:59PM0.48m
1:21AM0.53m
mod rain
heavy rain
light rain
heavy rain
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
cloud
cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:20
7:22
7:22
7:24
7:24
7:26
7:26
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:30
5:29
5:28
5:27
5:25
5:24
5:23
5:22
9
18
4
15
6
2
Temp °C
17
17
17
17
17
15
14
15
15
15
14
11
11
12
10
12
12
11
12
13
13
12
12
10
8
9
6
5
5
4
4
4
4
6
8
9
9
9
8
11
11
7
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
WSW
14
0.4
W
14
0.4
W
14
0.4
WSW
14
0.4
WSW
13
1.4
NW
11
0.1
N
13
2.3
W
14
1.9
W
14
1.5
W
14
1.3
W
13
1
W
9
1
W
13
0.9
WSW
14
0.8
WSW
14
0.7
W
14
0.7
W
13
Energy kJ
70
66
65
67
56
471
3
1890
1290
816
599
146
366
327
247
179
173
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
W
18
0.2
WNW
15
0.1
N
13
0.1
N
13
0.1
N
13
0.3
ENE
4
0.1
N
12
0.8
W
13
0.1
N
11
0.3
W
24
0.4
W
21
0.5
W
19
0.6
W
18
Energy kJ
26
23
3
3
3
3
3
222
2
97
144
184
216
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
NW
8
0.1
N
12
0.1
N
12
0.1
N
12
0.1
W
26
0.1
N
11
0.4
ENE
4
0.2
ENE
3
0.1
N
10
Energy kJ
10
3
3
3
13
2
6
1
2
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2
N
7
3
NNW
8
3
NNW
8
3.5
N
9
4
NNW
10
4
NW
10
4
WNW
11
2.5
W
12
2.5
W
8
3
W
8
2.5
W
11
1
E
6
0.9
ENE
5
1.4
ESE
5
0.7
E
5
Energy kJ
377
1140
1072
1982
2789
3850
3670
1738
985
1110
1639
69
37
106
22
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
2
3
1
1
1
3
5
5
4
4
3
2
3
2
2
2
2
Distance (km)
215
192
188
202
192
192
93
200
196
196
235
156
111
111
0
0
11
0
0
0
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Nelson - West Coast
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
3
3
3
3
3
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
2
2
4
4
4
4
2
3
5
5
4
4
4
8
5
5
5
4
7
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
7
5
5
5
5
5
4
4
5
8
5
5
9
9
7
5
5
6
8
  • 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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