Surf Forecasts:
Wharariki Beach surf forecast from 1 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: Monday 7 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 15s period, WNW swell with 8,954 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 0.8m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 14s 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 15s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) 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 0.6m 6s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (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 (Mon 7th Sep) | 15ft (4.5m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Wharariki Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s cut through the noise and talk about what’s on offer at Wharariki Beach.
First up, let’s be honest: the next week and a half is a tough slog. We’ve got a serious run of poor conditions, with howling winds and messy seas. The first real glimmer of hope doesn’t come until the 10th of September, but it’s still not great. The real standout is shaping up to be the morning of the 15th of September. That’s the one to circle on the calendar.
We’re looking at consistent west-northwest swells for most of the period, which is the optimal direction for this spot. The water temp is sitting at 57°, which is pretty average for this time of year, nothing to write home about.
The first few days are a write-off. Tuesday the 1st and Wednesday the 2nd have strong to near-gale cross-off winds, with a 10ft to 8ft W swell. The energy is massive – we’re talking 3765 to 3196 – but it’s just too messy to be any fun. Thursday the 3rd isn’t any better with rain and cross-onshore winds. Friday the 4th is a total no-go with near gale cross-shore winds and an 12ft swell. The 6th of September, Sunday afternoon, has a big 12ft WNW swell with a 9-second period, and the wind is cross-off, but the file says it’s just too big for this break. By Monday the 7th, we’re looking at a 15ft WNW swell that’s pure chaos – only for the absolute experts, and even then, the cross-onshore wind will ruin it.
Things start to settle down around the 8th of September. Tuesday morning sees a 6ft W swell with a 12-second period and clean cross-off winds from the SE. The energy is moderate at 983, and it’s a marginal call, but it’s the first session that’s even worth a look. The 9th is tiny and then we get a bit of a pulse through the 10th and 11th, but with cross-onshore and cross winds, it’s lumpy.
Now, the 15th of September is the one. Tuesday morning, we’ve got a 3ft W swell with a 14-second period, and the wind is a light, cross-off breeze from the ESE. The file says "expect very good surf conditions." The combined energy is 845, which is moderate, but the long period will bring in some clean, lined-up waves. It’s a small day, but it’ll be glassy and clean. Perfect for an intermediate surfer to get some nice, long rides. The afternoon turns a bit more cross-shore and messy, so get it in the morning.
That’s your window. The rest of the 16-day run is a mix of small, lumpy, or just too windy. Stay patient.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Thu night. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu morning, min 11°C on Tue morning). Mainly near gales. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Sun morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun morning, min 11°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the W on Fri morning, light winds from the WNW by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | |||||||||||||||
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 14 | W 14 | W 14 | W 17 | W 6 | WNW 15 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | W 15 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | W 14 | W 14 | W 14 | W 15 | W 17 | WNW 9 | WNW 16 | WNW 15 | WNW 14 | W 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
3603 | 2985 | 2756 | 3164 | 354 | 1753 | 328 | 320 | 517 | 1811 | 2056 | 3761 | 2987 | 2185 | 2255 | 2027 | 1958 | 5894 | 8954 | 5908 | 2190 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 12:26PM3.21m | 00:43AM3.23m | 1:07PM3.11m | 1:26AM3.07m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:36PM0.21m | 6:59AM0.20m | 7:19PM0.35m | 7:43AM0.36m | 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 | ||||||||
6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | |
— | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 11 | 5 | — | — | 2 | 2 |
Temp °C | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 11 |
Feels °C | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 14 | W 22 | WNW 14 | WNW 14 | — | NW 15 | W 14 | W 14 | W 15 | — | N 8 | WNW 15 | NNW 8 | W 14 | W 15 | W 17 | N 8 | N 8 | WNW 15 | WNW 14 | W 13 |
162 | 36 | 41 | 20 | — | 9 | 203 | 146 | 517 | — | 169 | 365 | 58 | 2185 | 2255 | 2027 | 466 | 177 | 8954 | 5908 | 2190 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 20 | NW 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 11 | WNW 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 9 |
— | — | 8 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 33 | 84 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 30 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 21 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 14 | W 14 | W 14 | W 17 | W 6 | WNW 15 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | NW 6 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | W 14 | W 14 | NW 9 | NW 8 | NW 7 | WNW 9 | WNW 16 | — | NNE 4 | NE 5 |
3603 | 2985 | 2756 | 3164 | 354 | 1753 | 328 | 320 | 273 | 1811 | 2056 | 3761 | 2987 | 172 | 138 | 516 | 1958 | 5894 | — | 17 | 80 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 152 | 200 | 152 | 152 | 97 | 97 | 152 | 152 | 97 | 211 | 211 | 97 | 97 | 111 | 97 | 317 | 86 | 93 | 95 | 208 | 0 |
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.
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.











