Wharariki Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.51° S 172.67° E

Issued: 11 am 07 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Wharariki Beach sea temperature is
15.1° C

1.4°C warmer than normal for this time of year

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 7 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 9 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s period, W swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 14 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 12s period, WNW swell with 1,402 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 8 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 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 Wednesday (Jul 08) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 14s period. 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 2.2m 12s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 14) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.3m 7s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 07) at 6PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Wed 8th Jul)2.5ft (0.8m) 14s
Best Surf 6AM (Thu 9th Jul)5ft (1.6m) 16s
Most Powerful 6PM (Tue 14th Jul)7ft (2.2m) 12s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the cards for the next couple of weeks.

We're kicking off with a bit of a wait, but the first proper session looks like it'll be Wednesday morning, July 8th. The early part of the week is a write-off with strong winds and rain, so don't bother paddling out until then.

The standout of the entire forecast has to be Thursday, July 9th. That morning, we've got a solid 5ft W groundswell rolling in, with a 16-second period – that's a proper long-period groundswell packing some serious punch. The wind is a clean cross-off from the SSE, which will keep the face nice and tidy. This is a good one, but that size and period might be a bit much for beginners. The afternoon session on the 9th isn't a write-off either, with 4ft from the west and clean conditions.

Another absolute gem is shaping up for Friday afternoon, July 10th. The wind drops to nothing, going glassy from the East at just 3 mph. The swell is a clean 4ft from the west with a 16-second period. This is the kind of session where you just get lost out there. It's a standout for sure.

Wednesday, July 15th is a big one, but it's a warning, not a welcome. The morning shows a massive 10ft W groundswell with a 17-second period. The wind is a messy cross-shore, and the swell is predicted to be too big for this break. This is expert-only territory, and honestly, it looks more like a big-wave tow session or even a kite-surfing day than a casual paddle. Avoid unless you're seriously experienced.

After that, the swell drops but stays clean. Saturday, July 18th is a ripper morning. We've got a 6ft W swell with a 13-second period, and an offshore breeze from the south at 9 mph. The conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers. Keep an eye on that one.

The water temp at Wharariki Beach is sitting at 59°F, which is about a touch warmer than what's usual for this time of year.

For the second week, things get a bit quieter. Monday, July 20th morning offers another clean 5ft W swell with a 17-second period under a light cross-off breeze – worth a look if you're keen, but it's less certain this far out. The rest of the week into the 22nd looks like a mix of onshore winds and short-period windswell, so don't plan your life around it.

Alright, that's the story for now. Keep your eyes on the 9th, 10th, and 18th. Stay salty.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Tue morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Tue morning, min 9°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSE on Tue afternoon, calm by Wed morning).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 12°C on Sun night, min 8°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
7
Wednesday
8
Thursday
9
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
2
0
2
3
3
2
2
3
1
2
2
3
2
1
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)
1.4
W
16
1.1
W
15
0.7
W
14
0.7
W
14
0.7
W
13
1.1
W
12
1.6
W
16
1.3
W
14
1
W
18
1.2
W
17
1.1
W
16
0.9
W
16
0.8
W
18
1.1
W
16
1.2
W
16
1
W
16
1
W
15
0.8
W
15
0.6
W
15
1.8
NNW
6
1.9
NW
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
928
530
198
187
158
362
1226
701
628
851
605
391
389
636
728
483
441
271
150
248
534
Wind (km/h)
40
ESE
45
SE
30
SE
5
E
10
NNW
20
SSE
20
SSE
15
ESE
25
ESE
20
ESE
5
E
20
ESE
15
ESE
10
E
15
SE
15
ESE
10
E
10
NNE
25
N
40
NNW
25
W
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
on
on
cross
High Tide
2:53PM2.75m
3:13AM2.86m
3:47PM2.72m
4:10AM2.80m
4:50PM2.73m
5:15AM2.78m
5:57PM2.78m
6:24AM2.82m
7:04PM2.90m
7:32AM2.92m
8:08PM3.06m
8:35AM3.05m
9:06PM3.24m
Low Tide
9:02PM0.64m
9:36AM0.55m
9:59PM0.70m
10:34AM0.58m
11:04PM0.71m
11:39AM0.57m
00:13AM0.67m
12:46PM0.51m
1:21AM0.55m
1:50PM0.40m
2:25AM0.38m
2:49PM0.26m
mod rain
light rain
cloud
clear
light rain
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
thunderstorm
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:52
7:52
7:50
7:50
7:50
7:50
7:50
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:15
5:15
5:16
5:16
5:17
5:19
5:20
 mm
8
5
1
1
9
3
Temp °C
13
13
13
13
13
12
12
13
11
8
9
9
9
10
10
10
11
12
14
14
14
Feels °C
4
3
4
12
11
6
6
7
5
3
6
5
4
7
7
6
8
7
7
6
8
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.4
W
16
1.1
W
15
0.7
W
14
0.7
ESE
6
0.7
W
13
1.1
W
12
1.8
ESE
8
1.3
W
14
1
W
18
1.2
W
17
1.1
W
16
0.9
W
16
0.8
W
18
1.1
W
16
1.2
W
16
1
W
16
1
W
15
0.8
W
15
0.6
W
15
0.5
W
14
1.4
NNE
7
Energy kJ
928
530
198
43
158
362
404
701
628
851
605
391
389
636
728
483
441
271
150
99
173
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
N
8
0.7
N
8
0.4
WSW
8
0.7
W
14
0.5
E
5
0.8
ESE
6
1.6
W
16
1.1
E
7
0.9
W
14
0.2
WNW
16
0.3
W
21
0.6
W
14
0.1
N
12
0.2
ENE
3
0.1
N
11
0.1
N
11
0.7
NNW
7
Energy kJ
107
57
24
187
12
51
1226
134
320
25
76
142
3
1
2
2
57
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
N
7
0.2
W
20
0.5
W
7
0.7
W
17
0.3
W
22
0.6
W
20
0.1
NW
14
0.1
E
6
0.1
E
5
0.3
E
4
0.1
N
12
0.1
N
14
0.1
N
13
0.4
W
14
Energy kJ
9
30
24
281
82
268
8
1
1
3
3
4
4
62
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.1
ESE
7
2
ESE
6
2
ESE
7
0.7
ESE
6
1.3
ESE
7
2.3
ESE
8
1.4
ESE
8
1.1
ESE
7
1
E
5
0.9
E
6
0.8
E
5
0.4
ESE
4
0.1
E
12
0.3
E
3
0.1
NE
12
0.5
N
4
1.2
N
5
1.8
NNW
6
1.9
NW
8
Energy kJ
395
299
394
29
134
666
232
121
45
52
33
6
3
1
6
6
73
248
534
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
4
3
2
3
4
4
3
4
4
3
3
4
4
3
2
2
3
2
1
1
Distance (km)
95
34
11
0
111
11
11
0
11
11
0
20
11
11
0
0
7
34
111
215
86
Best forecast wave conditions in Nelson - West Coast
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
3
4
6
7
5
5
5
5
5
5
4
4
4
3
2
2
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
7
5
7
9
8
9
7
7
6
7
5
5
5
5
5
5
9
9
7
5
6
  • 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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