Surf Forecasts:
Wharariki Beach surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 9s period, NNW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 30 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 16s period, W swell with 2,972 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 9s period with NNW 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 (Aug 28) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 4.0m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 14s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 24s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Wharariki Beach in the next 16 days are 2.4m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 30) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 6s period and expected on Monday (Aug 31) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 12PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Sun 30th Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Wharariki Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Well, right now the window’s lookin’ a bit bleak to start. We’ve got a solid gap from the beginning with no real surf on offer until around Monday the 24th of August. After that, things get interesting, but it’s a wild ride.
The first real option pops up on Monday the 24th of August over the afternoon at Wharariki Beach. Now, this is an exposed spot gettin’ swell from the west with the optimum direction bein’ NW – we’re lookin’ at a 10ft swell from the west with a long 15 second period, and those are groundswell vibes. That means proper energy but also long lulls between sets. The water’s sittin’ at 57°, which is pretty average for the time of year. The combined swell energy is pumpin’ at 3767 (strong energy), and we’ve got a cross-off wind from the WSW at 28 mph, plus the wind and tide are favourable. But here’s the catch – the swell’s over 8ft, so this is strictly for the experienced crew. It’s too big for beginners. Still, if you’re feelin’ brave, this is the standout of the whole forecast. Clean, powerful, and it never gets crowded here.
After that, Tuesday through to Friday afternoon is a mess. You got strong winds, cross-shore chop, onshore slop, and even a near gale on Friday with 11ft swell and rain. No good.
Then Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th have some clean-looking sessions with cross-off winds, but the swell’s either tiny or not combin’ well – the scores don’t back it up for decent waves.
Monday the 31st of August through to Tuesday the 1st of September, we see more 7ft to 8ft W swell with long periods, and clean winds, but the conditions are still flagged as marginal. Still, for the advanced surfer, this could be alright.
Now, the real second standout shapes up on Monday the 7th of September afternoon. Wharariki Beach gets clean, glassy cross-off wind from the ESE at 9 mph, with a 5ft west swell at 16 seconds. The combined energy is moderate at 1011, but the conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers. This is the one to pencil in if you’ve got patience – clean, nice lines, and a long-period groundswell that’ll wrap in nicely. Just remember, long-period swells at a beach break like this can break a bit straight, so it’s all about pickin’ the right bank.
So, bottom line – if you’re experienced, Monday the 24th of August afternoon is the big, raw standout. For a cleaner, less intense session, Monday the 7th of September afternoon is your best bet. Don’t hold your breath for the days in between – they’re mostly a write-off.
Stay safe out there.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Thu morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Mon afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Mon afternoon, light winds from the NNW by Thu morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Fri morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu afternoon, min 10°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the N on Fri morning, moderate winds from the SW by Sat night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | ||||||||||||||
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) | W 15 | W 15 | W 15 | W 15 | W 14 | W 14 | W 14 | W 13 | W 13 | WNW 10 | NW 10 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | NW 9 | W 9 | WNW 20 | W 18 | W 18 | W 16 | W 8 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 3616 | 2721 | 1976 | 1513 | 1285 | 1045 | 1110 | 280 | 728 | 532 | 985 | 2608 | 2133 | 645 | 159 | 136 | 336 | 390 | 2734 | 1006 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:41PM2.57m | 8:05AM2.55m | 8:29PM2.75m | 8:49AM2.73m | 9:09PM2.94m | 9:28AM2.90m | 9:45PM3.11m | 10:04AM3.05m | 10:20PM3.24m | 10:38AM3.16m | 10:54PM3.33m | 11:13AM3.23m | 11:28PM3.36m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:56AM0.88m | 2:13PM0.76m | 2:42AM0.68m | 2:56PM0.57m | 3:22AM0.48m | 3:34PM0.40m | 3:58AM0.30m | 4:10PM0.25m | 4:33AM0.16m | 4:45PM0.16m | 5:07AM0.07m | 5:20PM0.12m | ||||||||
 |  | | | |  |  |  | | | |  | |  | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — |
 | 5:57 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 10 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 3 | 7 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 15 | WNW 15 | WNW 15 | — | — | W 14 | — | W 13 | W 13 | W 12 | W 15 | W 14 | NNW 9 | NW 9 | NNE 8 | NNW 8 | W 7 | W 18 | N 7 | N 7 |
| kJ | 148 | 88 | 45 | — | — | 590 | — | 280 | 728 | 112 | 72 | 142 | 1764 | 645 | 79 | 94 | 83 | 390 | 4 | 1 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 9 | NNW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 18 | W 16 | — | W 24 | W 13 | NE 7 | NW 8 | WNW 20 | W 18 | W 13 | N 7 | WNW 16 |
| kJ | 3 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 96 | 47 | — | 11 | 88 | 71 | 69 | 136 | 336 | 53 | 4 | 24 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 17 | — | — | — | W 23 | W 13 | NNW 8 | W 12 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NW 8 | N 7 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | 11 | 84 | 51 | 26 | 43 | 10 | 3 | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 15 | W 15 | W 15 | W 15 | W 14 | W 14 | W 14 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | WNW 10 | NW 10 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | — | W 9 | W 6 | — | WSW 6 | W 16 | W 8 |
| kJ | 3616 | 2721 | 1976 | 1513 | 1285 | 1045 | 1110 | 194 | 212 | 532 | 985 | 2608 | 2133 | — | 159 | 116 | — | 170 | 2734 | 1006 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 152 | 152 | 196 | 196 | 152 | 111 | 215 | 95 | 111 | 152 | 192 | 254 | 215 | 86 | 95 | 97 | 99 | 111 | 196 | 152 |
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.
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