Wharariki Beach surf break

Wharariki Beach surfForecast / Nelson – West Coast / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 am Saturday 17 Jan 2026 NZDT
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
17.9° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Wharariki Beach this week:

The surf forecast for Wharariki Beach over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jan 22) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Wharariki Beach in the next 12 days are 1.6m 13s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jan 23) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 5.0m 9s period and expected on Friday (Jan 23) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Thu 22nd Jan)4ft (1.2m) 14s
Best Surf10PM (Thu 22nd Jan)4ft (1.2m) 14s
Most Powerful 4AM (Fri 23rd Jan)5ft (1.6m) 13s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Wharariki Beach over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri night, min 13°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Fri night, near gales from the ESE by Sun morning).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Moderate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Wed night. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed night, min 14°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the ESE on Tue morning, light winds from the E by Wed night).

Saturday
17
Sunday
18
Monday
19
Tuesday
20
Wednesday
21
Thursday
22
Fri
23
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.6
W
0.6
W
0.6
W
0.5
W
0.4
WSW
0.3
WSW
0.3
WSW
0.3
WSW
0.3
WSW
0.3
WSW
0.3
WSW
0.4
WSW
0.5
W
0.4
WSW
0.4
WSW
0.7
N
0.8
N
1.3
N
1.4
NNW
1
N
0.7
W
Period(s) (?)131212121212121212121214141313788131316
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)1251121037246273028282827639357554984198711334246
Wind
(km/h)
10
N
30
ESE
35
ESE
55
ESE
50
ESE
55
ESE
55
ESE
50
SE
40
ESE
45
ESE
50
ESE
45
ESE
45
ESE
40
ESE
30
ESE
25
ESE
45
SE
45
SE
20
WSW
30
WSW
10
W
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
oncross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
10:09AM
2.82
10:27PM
2.78
10:50AM
2.97
11:07PM
2.90
11:28AM
3.10
11:44PM
3.00
12:04PM
3.20
12:21AM
3.06
12:39PM
3.26
12:57AM
3.09
1:15PM
3.27
1:35AM
3.09
1:53PM
3.24
Low Tide
/ height (m)
3:54AM
0.67
4:21PM
0.65
4:36AM
0.52
5:02PM
0.51
5:15AM
0.39
5:40PM
0.38
5:52AM
0.29
6:17PM
0.27
6:28AM
0.23
6:54PM
0.21
7:05AM
0.21
7:31PM
0.18
7:43AM
0.24
Saturday
17
Sunday
18
Monday
19
Tuesday
20
Wednesday
21
Thursday
22
Fri
23
Sunrise-6:16--6:18--6:18--6:20--6:22--6:22--6:24-
Sunset--8:59--8:59--8:58--8:58--8:57--8:57--8:55
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
mod rain
light rain
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
light rain
Rain (mm)
6--------------6152-2
Temp. °C171516151515141516151516161518191716171818
Feels °C (?)14109544468658781417108131418
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder

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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 12 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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