Surf Forecasts:
Wharariki Beach surf forecast from 9 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 15 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 18s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 18s period, W swell with 2,402 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 14 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 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 (Aug 14) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 3s is also forecast. 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 2.0m 18s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) 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 Sunday (Aug 16) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Fri 14th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Sat 15th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Sat 15th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Wharariki Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s on offer for Wharariki Beach.
First things first, the early part of the forecast isn’t looking good. Sunday the 9th of August has a 8ft NW swell, but it’s getting hammered by a 16 mph cross-wind, so the surface is a mess. The water temp is 57°F, which is about average for the time of year. The combined energy is strong at 1296, but it’s not worth a paddle.
The one to circle is Sunday the 16th of August in the afternoon. We’ve got a 6ft W swell with a 15-second period – that’s real groundswell with heaps of grunt. The wind goes glassy out of the SE at just 3 mph, so you’ll be looking at a clean, smooth ocean. The energy is a meaty 1509, and the report says it’s excellent for experienced surfers. This is the standout session. It’s an exposed beach, so that long-period west swell will wrap in, but expect long waits between sets.
Then Monday the 17th of August morning is a solid follow-up. A 4ft W swell, still with a 14-second period, and glassy conditions again from the NE at 3 mph. The energy is moderate at 691, but the quality will be high. A great session for those who want a slightly smaller wave.
After that, the second week is pretty quiet. There are a few mornings with clean, cross-off winds and waist-high W swell, but the energy drops off and the consistency isn’t there. You’ll get some waves, but nothing to get excited about.
So, the short story: forget the first week. The real deal is the 16th and 17th of August. Get on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Wed morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Sun afternoon, min 10°C on Tue morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Sun night, light winds from the E by Wed morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 56mm), heaviest during Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat morning, min 11°C on Wed afternoon). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | ||||||||||||||
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) | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | W 16 | W 15 | W 14 | W 13 | W 19 | W 18 | W 16 | N 7 | N 8 | WNW 10 | W 16 | W 16 | W 17 | W 15 | W 17 | W 18 | W 18 | W 17 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 790 | 321 | 387 | 940 | 257 | 167 | 260 | 152 | 129 | 279 | 377 | 261 | 255 | 329 | 363 | 208 | 265 | 1382 | 1735 | 2267 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | glassy |
High Tide | 6:51PM2.81m | 7:24AM2.80m | 7:59PM3.00m | 8:28AM2.97m | 8:56PM3.22m | 9:23AM3.14m | 9:47PM3.40m | 10:11AM3.27m | 10:32PM3.51m | 10:56AM3.34m | 11:15PM3.53m | 11:38AM3.34m | 11:56PM3.47m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:12AM0.63m | 1:40PM0.51m | 2:17AM0.43m | 2:40PM0.32m | 3:13AM0.21m | 3:32PM0.14m | 4:03AM0.04m | 4:19PM0.01m | 4:48AM-0.06m | 5:03PM-0.04m | 5:30AM-0.08m | 5:45PM-0.01m | ||||||||
 |  | | |  |  | |  |  |  |  |  | |  | | | | | |  | |
 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — |
 | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 14 | 17 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 8 | — | — | 3 |
Temp °C | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | W 14 | W 13 | W 19 | W 18 | W 16 | WNW 12 | N 8 | N 7 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | W 17 | W 15 | W 17 | W 18 | W 18 | W 17 |
| kJ | 698 | 321 | 140 | 96 | 257 | 167 | 260 | 152 | 129 | 99 | 377 | 171 | 245 | 148 | 363 | 208 | 265 | 1382 | 1735 | 2267 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 18 | W 16 | W 16 | WNW 15 | W 6 | N 8 | W 13 | W 13 | N 5 | W 16 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | NNE 7 | W 16 | WNW 9 | W 9 | E 5 | NNW 7 | W 10 | E 6 |
| kJ | 155 | 252 | 387 | 21 | 41 | 30 | 86 | 51 | 4 | 122 | 196 | 261 | 114 | 329 | 86 | 53 | 11 | 9 | 190 | 75 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 13 | — | — | N 8 | WSW 6 | NNW 8 | N 10 | N 9 | — | W 15 | W 17 | W 16 | N 6 | NNE 5 | W 18 | W 8 | NW 9 | E 6 | NNW 7 |
| kJ | — | 84 | — | — | 49 | 14 | 19 | 18 | 7 | — | 67 | 206 | 255 | 24 | 9 | 101 | 21 | 3 | 29 | 5 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 14 | W 8 | W 7 | W 15 | SE 2 | E 5 | E 5 | E 5 | E 4 | N 7 | — | — | E 4 | ESE 3 | SE 3 | E 3 | — | E 5 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 |
| kJ | 790 | 219 | 131 | 940 | 1 | 46 | 44 | 43 | 8 | 279 | — | — | 2 | 6 | 5 | 6 | — | 12 | 75 | 123 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 86 | 86 | 93 | 95 | 201 | 11 | 20 | 152 | 111 | 11 | 34 | 34 | 11 | 95 | 11 | 11 | 20 | 0 | 111 | 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.
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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