Wharariki Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.51° S 172.67° E

Wharariki Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 12 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Wharariki Beach sea temperature is
13.7°C
0.6° 

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 12 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 13 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s period, W swell with 4,413 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 17s 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 12) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 17s. 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 3.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 13) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Sat 12th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 17s
Best Surf 9PM (Sat 12th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 17s
Most Powerful12AM (Sun 13th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 17s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here with a look at what's coming our way. We've got one break to focus on for this whole stretch: Wharariki Beach. It's a consistent, exposed spot that’s open to the northwest, so when the swell lines up, it can be a real beauty. The water temp is sitting at 57°F, which is pretty much normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The opening weekend kicks off with a big pulse. Saturday the 12th is packing serious power but it’s just too much of a good thing. We're talking a 10ft swell from the west with a 16-second period—that's a long-period groundswell with a massive combined energy reading of 3990 on the morning and a whopping 7015 in the afternoon. That's very strong energy. The wind is a cross-off, but the swell height is simply too big for this break. It’s for the experts only at best, and honestly, the forecast says it's too big for the spot. We'll sit this one out.

Sunday the 13th drops down to a more manageable 5ft in the morning and 5ft in the afternoon, still a solid west swell with a long 16 to 17-second period. The energy is still moderate to strong (2139 and 1677). But the wind picks up to a fresh breeze from the WSW, which is cross-off. The quality call is marginal, so nothing to get too excited about.

Monday the 14th morning is where we see a real window. The swell settles to 6ft from the west (16-second period), and the wind is a light 3 mph from the SSW—basically a slight breeze, keeping it clean. Combined energy is 1391, moderate. The forecast says "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers." That's a standout moment. The afternoon gets messy with the wind picking up again, so hit it early.

The rest of that week into the next is a bit of a write-off. Tuesday the 15th morning has a tiny 3ft wave, and it goes downhill from there with strong winds out of the west. Wednesday the 16th is a total mess with lumpy cross-chop and weak energy. Thursday and Friday have some size, but the wind is always there to mess it up. The 7ft to 7ft west swells are there, but it's just not clean.

Now, here's the real highlight of the whole outlook. Sunday the 20th afternoon is the absolute pick of the fortnight. The swell is a solid 8ft from the west, with a 16-second period, giving us a very strong 3120 combined energy reading. The wind is glassy—completely dead from the ENE at 3 mph. The forecast says "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers." This is it. That's a proper gem. The morning of Sunday the 20th is also good with 5ft and clean, but the afternoon is the one to circle.

Monday the 21st morning is another good call with 6ft west swell and light offshore SSE winds. Tuesday the 22nd morning has clean 6ft waves but energy is dropping. Wednesday the 23rd afternoon looks promising with 8ft and a slight breeze, and then we get another glassy morning on Thursday the 24th with 7ft from the west and a 16-second period—another strong energy day at 2354. That's a beauty.

The final weekend (Saturday the 27th) brings a big west swell again, 7ft to 7ft, but the wind turns cross-shore, so quality takes a hit.

Best on offer: Without question, that Sunday the 20th afternoon glassy session at Wharariki Beach, with the 8ft west swell. The Monday the 14th morning and Thursday the 24th morning are next in line for clean, powerful waves.

Stay safe, don't get too frothy on that big Saturday swell, and I'll see you out there for that glassy Sunday.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 10°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Sat night, calm by Sun night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue afternoon, min 9°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Tue afternoon, light winds from the ESE by Thu night).

Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
!
!
0
2
2
4
4
2
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
2
3
3
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
W
16
3
W
16
3
W
17
1.6
W
17
1.5
W
16
1.8
W
16
1.7
W
16
1.7
W
15
1.1
W
15
0.9
W
15
0.1
N
12
0.1
N
12
1.3
W
5
0.8
W
13
1.5
WNW
11
1.1
W
14
2.2
W
14
1.3
W
17
2
W
16
2
W
16
2.1
W
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
3990
4279
4413
1451
1201
1611
1384
1310
517
343
3
3
76
212
467
472
1759
969
1963
1928
2147
Wind (km/h)
25
SW
40
WSW
50
WSW
35
WSW
35
WSW
5
WSW
10
SW
35
WSW
15
SW
25
WSW
45
W
40
W
35
W
30
WNW
25
NW
25
W
40
WSW
30
SW
15
ESE
5
NW
20
WSW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
10:32AM3.35m
10:49PM3.46m
11:10AM3.36m
11:26PM3.39m
11:46AM3.29m
00:02AM3.26m
12:22PM3.17m
00:38AM3.07m
12:59PM3.00m
1:15AM2.86m
1:38PM2.80m
1:57AM2.64m
2:24PM2.60m
2:48AM2.43m
Low Tide
4:39PM-0.00m
5:02AM-0.06m
5:18PM0.03m
5:38AM0.02m
5:55PM0.14m
6:14AM0.16m
6:32PM0.31m
6:50AM0.36m
7:11PM0.51m
7:28AM0.58m
7:53PM0.73m
8:12AM0.80m
8:42PM0.94m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
cloud
cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:35
6:33
6:33
6:31
6:28
6:26
6:26
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:15
6:15
6:16
6:17
6:19
6:20
6:21
 mm
1
Temp °C
13
13
12
14
14
12
12
13
12
12
14
13
13
13
13
12
12
10
10
11
11
Feels °C
8
4
2
7
8
10
9
6
9
4
4
5
6
6
8
7
3
2
5
5
5
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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