Wharariki Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.51° S 172.67° E

Wharariki Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 20 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Wharariki Beach sea temperature is
13.9° 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 20 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 15s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, W swell with 5,448 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 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 Monday (Aug 24) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 15s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s 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 3.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 5s period and expected on Friday (Aug 21) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Mon 24th Aug)11ft (3.5m) 15s
Best Surf 6AM (Mon 24th Aug)11ft (3.5m) 15s
Most Powerful 3AM (Mon 24th Aug)11ft (3.5m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, grab a cup of tea, let's have a look at the charts for the next couple of weeks. There's a lot of weather coming through, so we'll need to be patient. The water temperature here is about average for the time of year, nothing out of the ordinary.

First up, we've got a little window on Friday morning at Wharariki Beach. It's not huge, with a 3 ft west swell, but the period is a very long 16 seconds, which brings in some serious groundswell energy. The combined energy is only 321 (weak), so it's not a powerhouse, but with a clean, cross-off breeze from the WSW, it'll be a nice, clean session. It's a bit of a teaser because the wind is due to go onshore later in the day.

After that, things get a bit rowdy. Saturday and Sunday are a right-off with strong winds, and by Sunday, we're looking at a gale-force cross-shore with 13 ft of short-period, messy swell. The combined energy jumps to 2913 (strong), but it's a washing machine. Not for surfing.

The real standout is going to be Monday the 24th. We've got a solid 10 ft west swell with a 15-second period, and the combined energy is a massive 4717 (very strong). This is a powerful, long-period groundswell. The catch is the guidance says it's likely too big for this break, and it's rated for experts only. The wind is a clean cross-off from the WSW, so it will look incredible, but you'll need to be on your A-game. Tuesday morning is still decent, with a 7 ft west swell and clean conditions, but the energy is dropping.

We hit a bit of a lull from Tuesday afternoon through to the end of the month. The wind is messy, and the swell drops right off.

Then, on the 30th of August, things get interesting again. It's a bit of a long-range call, so keep an eye on it, but Sunday afternoon is looking glassy. The wind is a light, 5 km/h offshore from the NW, making conditions perfect. There's a 7 ft west swell with a 16-second period, giving a combined energy of 2500 (strong). This is a powerful, clean groundswell that will be excellent for experienced surfers, though the long period might make it a bit walled up on the beach. Monday the 31st is a bit of a drop-off, but still a clean 3 ft west swell for a morning session.

The first week of September is small and ordinary, with a brief pulse of 7 ft NNW swell on the 3rd, but it's short-period and the wind is onshore, so it's not worth getting excited about.

So, the pick of the bunch is the massive groundswell on Monday the 24th for the experts, and the glassy, powerful session on Sunday the 30th for the experienced crew. The rest of the time, we're waiting for the weather to sort itself out.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat afternoon, min 9°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SW on Thu night, gales from the W by Sun morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Wed morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed morning, min 11°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the WSW on Sun night, light winds from the SSW by Wed afternoon).

Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
!
!
1
2
0
0
0
1
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
W
14
0.8
W
16
0.1
NW
15
0.1
W
14
0.5
W
14
0.6
W
13
3.5
NW
8
4
WNW
10
4
WNW
10
4
W
12
3
W
15
3
W
15
2.4
W
15
2.1
W
15
1.8
W
14
1.7
W
14
1.8
W
14
1.8
W
14
1.3
W
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
236
314
9
4
93
119
1401
2620
2754
4613
4437
3532
2474
1976
1340
1111
1227
1243
590
Wind (km/h)
10
SSW
25
WSW
45
W
45
W
30
W
35
NW
55
NW
60
W
60
W
60
WSW
40
WSW
45
WSW
40
WSW
35
WSW
40
W
35
W
30
WNW
25
W
10
SE
Wind State
off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-off
High Tide
3:31AM2.47m
4:09PM2.44m
4:39AM2.33m
5:24PM2.37m
5:58AM2.31m
6:40PM2.42m
7:09AM2.40m
7:41PM2.57m
8:05AM2.55m
8:29PM2.75m
8:49AM2.73m
9:09PM2.94m
Low Tide
9:24PM0.93m
9:51AM0.95m
10:28PM1.08m
11:00AM1.06m
11:45PM1.12m
12:16PM1.05m
00:58AM1.04m
1:22PM0.93m
1:56AM0.88m
2:13PM0.76m
2:42AM0.68m
2:56PM0.57m
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
rain showers
cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:09
7:09
7:07
7:05
7:03
7:03
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:53
5:54
5:55
5:57
5:58
5:59
 mm
1
19
1
1
Temp °C
10
10
11
12
13
14
14
13
12
11
12
12
12
13
13
13
14
14
13
Feels °C
6
5
2
4
7
7
5
0
-1
-2
3
2
3
6
5
6
8
10
10
  • 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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