Surf Forecasts:
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 Type | Time (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 ForecastModerate 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 SummaryMostly 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 | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 12 | W 16 | W 16 | WNW 16 | W 15 | W 15 | W 15 | W 15 | W 15 | W 15 | W 15 | W 19 | W 18 | W 16 | W 16 | W 15 | W 14 | W 14 | W 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 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) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | 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 | ||||||||
 | |  |  |  | | | |  | | | | | |  |  | | | | | | |
 | 7:48 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — |
 | — | 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 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNW 7 | W 16 | W 16 | — | NNW 6 | WNW 15 | W 15 | W 15 | W 15 | W 15 | W 15 | W 14 | W 18 | W 16 | W 16 | W 15 | W 14 | W 14 | W 13 |
| kJ | 63 | 48 | 102 | 2948 | 2789 | — | 36 | 44 | 429 | 881 | 1640 | 865 | 716 | 329 | 1357 | 886 | 977 | 623 | 411 | 320 | 229 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 11 | W 18 | W 18 | NNW 6 | — | — | NW 15 | — | WNW 7 | W 8 | — | W 8 | W 24 | W 19 | W 7 | WSW 7 | — | N 11 | N 10 | N 10 | W 20 |
| kJ | 157 | 103 | 509 | 44 | — | — | 59 | — | 5 | 149 | — | 124 | 11 | 573 | 104 | 63 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 20 | W 13 | WNW 18 | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 15 | — | — | — | W 24 | W 19 | W 8 | — | — | — | — | W 22 | N 9 |
| kJ | 70 | 14 | 33 | — | — | — | — | — | 21 | — | — | — | 11 | 270 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 9 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 12 | — | N 7 | WNW 16 | W 15 | W 15 | W 7 | — | — | — | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 7 | — | E 5 | E 7 | ESE 6 | E 5 | E 4 |
| kJ | 253 | 339 | 890 | — | 22 | 2460 | 2263 | 1924 | 311 | — | — | — | 123 | 165 | 147 | — | 54 | 349 | 122 | 27 | 9 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 97 | 97 | 95 | 156 | 188 | 175 | 95 | 97 | 111 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 111 | 200 | 20 | 98 | 111 | 34 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
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.
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