Wharariki Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.51° S 172.67° E

Wharariki Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 14 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Wharariki Beach sea temperature is
14.5° C
0.9° 

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 14 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 17 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 15s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 16 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 16s period, WNW swell with 3,093 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 17 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 15s 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 Friday (Jul 17) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m and 8s. 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 2.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 16) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.1m 7s period and expected on Monday (Jul 20) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Fri 17th Jul)4.5ft (1.3m) 15s
Best Surf 9AM (Fri 17th Jul)4.5ft (1.4m) 15s
Most Powerful 3AM (Thu 16th Jul)8ft (2.5m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright mates, Rusty here. Let's break down what’s on the table for Wharariki Beach.

The opening part of the forecast is a bit of a mixed bag. The first solid push of swell is hitting on Wednesday the 15th, showing an 8-foot groundswell out of the west, pushing at a long 16-second period with a combined energy of 2992. That's a lot of grunt, but a moderate cross-shore wind is going to mess with the surface so it won't be glassy. Thursday the 16th keeps that big energy (2358) but the wind swings to a strong offshore, cleaning it right up – this is expert territory only. The big highlight is Friday morning the 17th. The swell drops to a clean 4.6 feet from the west, still with a long 15-second period (energy 1030), and a light offshore breeze from the SW means smooth, lined-up faces. That's your session for the intermediate crew who knows what they're doing.

After that, it drops right off into small stuff, mostly clean but tiny through the end of next week. Look ahead to Wednesday the 29th of July for the real one. The long-range charts are pointing at a serious 15-foot west swell, with a 14-second period and a combined energy of 8793. That's an absolute monster. It’s blowing cross-off, so it’ll look clean, but for an exposed beach like this, anything over 8 feet is only for the brave. 15 feet is pushing the limits hard. If you're a seasoned charger, mark that Wednesday, but expect a beast.

Water temp is right around 58°F, normal for winter, so you'll be in a good thick wetsuit.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Wed night. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed afternoon, min 9°C on Thu night). Mainly strong winds.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Fri afternoon, min 9°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Fri morning, strong winds from the WSW by Sat morning).

Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
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
1
2
2
0
1
1
0
4
2
2
0
2
2
1
1
1
2
2
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
NW
8
1.7
WNW
8
1.7
WNW
12
2.4
W
16
2.4
W
16
2.3
WNW
16
2.2
W
15
2.1
W
15
1
W
15
1.4
W
15
1.9
W
15
1.4
W
15
1.3
W
15
0.9
W
19
1.5
W
18
1.3
W
16
1.4
W
16
1.2
W
15
1
W
14
0.9
W
14
0.8
W
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
253
339
890
2948
2789
2460
2263
1924
429
881
1640
865
716
573
1357
886
977
623
411
320
229
Wind (km/h)
25
WNW
30
WNW
30
W
15
W
20
W
40
WNW
40
WSW
40
WSW
45
WSW
10
SW
25
WSW
20
SW
45
WSW
35
WSW
15
NE
20
E
30
E
30
ESE
15
ESE
5
N
5
E
Wind State
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross
High Tide
9:32AM3.17m
9:59PM3.40m
10:24AM3.27m
10:49PM3.49m
11:14AM3.30m
11:37PM3.52m
12:01PM3.28m
00:23AM3.46m
12:47PM3.19m
1:08AM3.33m
1:33PM3.07m
1:53AM3.14m
2:19PM2.91m
2:38AM2.93m
Low Tide
3:44PM0.12m
4:16AM0.07m
4:35PM0.02m
5:06AM-0.01m
5:23PM-0.01m
5:54AM-0.03m
6:10PM0.03m
6:40AM0.03m
6:55PM0.14m
7:25AM0.16m
7:41PM0.30m
8:10AM0.33m
8:28PM0.50m
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:48
7:48
7:48
7:48
7:47
7:46
7:46
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:20
5:21
5:22
5:22
5:22
5:23
5:24
 mm
1
2
2
11
Temp °C
14
14
15
15
16
15
13
13
12
11
12
10
11
12
12
11
10
10
9
9
10
Feels °C
10
8
8
12
12
10
4
4
2
9
7
7
1
5
10
6
3
3
6
8
9
  • 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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