Wharariki Beach surf break

Wharariki Beach surfForecast / Nelson – West Coast / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 am Thursday 08 Jan 2026 NZDT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Wharariki Beach surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Wharariki Beach sea temperature is
18.0° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Wharariki Beach this week:

The surf forecast for Wharariki Beach over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jan 13) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Wharariki Beach in the next 12 days are 3.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jan 12) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Jan 08) at 10PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Tue 13th Jan)3.5ft (1.1m) 11s
Best Surf 1AM (Tue 13th Jan)3.5ft (1.1m) 11s
Most Powerful 1AM (Mon 12th Jan)11ft (3.5m) 11s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Wharariki Beach over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 17°C on Thu morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Thu morning, strong winds from the W by Thu night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 20°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (gales from the NW on Sun night, light winds from the SSW by Mon night).

Thursday
08
Friday
09
Saturday
10
Sunday
11
Monday
12
Tuesday
13
Wednesday
14
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.4
WSW
0.4
WSW
0.3
W
0.6
W
1.5
W
1.5
W
1.2
W
1.6
W
1.4
WNW
1.8
WNW
2.3
WNW
3.5
WNW
2.3
WNW
2.2
W
1.1
W
1.1
W
1.2
W
1.2
W
0.6
W
0.5
W
2
NNW
Period(s) (?)111114135121215869111111111110109107
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)40393212311765740311692102228292661123011073002693082716457412
Wind
(km/h)
5
W
40
WSW
45
W
25
WNW
35
W
40
W
30
W
35
WNW
35
WNW
45
WNW
45
NW
50
NW
45
WSW
45
W
10
SSE
25
W
45
W
40
W
10
NNW
20
N
30
N
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscrosscrosscrosscrosscross-
on
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscrosscrosscross-
on
onon
High Tide
/ height (m)
2:27PM
3.19
2:52AM
2.92
3:11PM
3.00
3:38AM
2.76
3:57PM
2.80
4:28AM
2.62
4:47PM
2.62
5:23AM
2.50
5:45PM
2.48
6:26AM
2.45
6:49PM
2.42
7:31AM
2.46
7:55PM
2.44
Low Tide
/ height (m)
8:45PM
0.31
9:00AM
0.45
9:30PM
0.48
9:46AM
0.64
10:17PM
0.65
10:37AM
0.82
11:09PM
0.80
11:35AM
0.96
12:07AM
0.90
12:39PM
1.03
1:10AM
0.94
1:45PM
1.02
2:11AM
0.90
Thursday
08
Friday
09
Saturday
10
Sunday
11
Monday
12
Tuesday
13
Wednesday
14
Sunrise6:07--6:09--6:09--6:11--6:11--6:13--6:13--
Sunset-9:01--9:01--9:01--9:01--9:00--9:00--9:00-
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
mod rain
heavy rain
Rain (mm)
-----------3------4742
Temp. °C181918181917181818192020181815151615161818
Feels °C (?)161312151511141415131314109111186131615
  • 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 12 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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