Wharariki Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.51° S 172.67° E

Wharariki Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 10 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Wharariki Beach sea temperature is
14.7° C
1.1° 

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 9 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 16 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 15s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 15 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 15s period, W swell with 2,502 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 10 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 16s 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 10) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 16s period. 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 2.3m 15s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 16) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3PM (Fri 10th Jul)3.5ft (1.1m) 16s
Best Surf 6AM (Thu 16th Jul)5.5ft (1.7m) 15s
Most Powerful 3PM (Wed 15th Jul)7.5ft (2.3m) 15s

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


Alright, let’s break down Wharariki Beach.

It’s been flat, but we’ve got some decent pulses coming through. Friday the 10th morning is small with a 4ft west swell and cross-offshore wind, water temp is 59°, a touch warmer than usual. The energy is moderate. The afternoon cleans right up – still around 4ft, but with a 16-second period and glassy conditions. That’s your first real window.

Saturday the 11th and Sunday the 12th stay steady with 3ft to 4ft west swell and long periods. The wind is light cross or glassy, so the shape will be there.

Monday the 13th is a washout – strong onshore winds and a tiny 2ft wave. Tuesday the 14th picks up to 5ft but it’s cross-shore and lumpy. Skip it.

Wednesday the 15th bring a jump to 5ft in the morning, then 8ft in the afternoon from the west, with 15-16 second periods and strong energy. But the wind is cross-onshore and the chop is nasty. That afternoon size is for experts only and the conditions are messy – better for the kite surfers.

The standout is Thursday the 16th. The morning delivers a 5ft west swell, 16-second period, with light cross-offshore wind and clean conditions. The energy is strong. This is excellent for experienced surfers. The afternoon stays clean but the wind picks up. That morning session is the best in the whole forecast.

After that, it fades. Friday the 17th and Saturday the 18th have small 3ft to 4ft waves, clean but weak.

Then another pulse comes Sunday the 19th. We get a 6ft north-northwest swell in the morning, building to 7ft from the north by afternoon, with 10-11 second periods. Cross-offshore wind and clean. Good for intermediates and up. Monday the 20th keeps it going with a 8ft north swell in the morning – that’s big, experts only – then it drops off.

From Tuesday the 21st onward, it’s flat and weak, with waves under 2ft and no energy. The last week is nothing but small, onshore junk.

So, bottom line: Thursday morning the 16th is your winner – 5ft, clean, west groundswell with light offshore wind. Sunday the 19th is a solid second option.

Wharariki is a consistent spot, so it won’t stay poor for long.

- Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Sun afternoon, min 8°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed morning, min 13°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (near gales from the N on Mon night, calm by Wed night).

Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
2
3
4
2
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
W
17
1.1
W
16
0.9
W
16
0.8
W
18
1.1
W
16
1.2
W
16
1.1
W
16
1
W
15
0.8
W
15
0.6
W
14
1.5
NNW
6
3
NNW
8
1.4
NW
8
1.2
WNW
10
1.6
WNW
11
1.6
W
16
2.3
W
15
1.9
W
15
1.6
W
16
1.5
W
15
1.3
W
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
851
605
396
389
636
732
592
441
271
146
151
1446
277
276
637
1339
2502
1676
1211
1006
706
Wind (km/h)
25
ESE
5
ESE
5
SSE
10
E
10
ENE
15
E
10
E
5
N
15
N
20
N
40
N
40
NW
25
W
30
W
25
WNW
25
WNW
20
W
10
W
10
WSW
30
WSW
5
SSW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross
cross
cross
cross
glassy
on
on
on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
5:57PM2.78m
6:24AM2.82m
7:04PM2.90m
7:32AM2.92m
8:08PM3.06m
8:35AM3.05m
9:06PM3.24m
9:32AM3.17m
9:59PM3.40m
10:24AM3.27m
10:49PM3.49m
11:14AM3.30m
11:37PM3.52m
Low Tide
11:39AM0.57m
00:13AM0.67m
12:46PM0.51m
1:21AM0.55m
1:50PM0.40m
2:25AM0.38m
2:49PM0.26m
3:23AM0.21m
3:44PM0.12m
4:16AM0.07m
4:35PM0.02m
5:06AM-0.01m
5:23PM-0.01m
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:50
7:50
7:50
7:50
7:48
7:48
7:48
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:16
5:17
5:19
5:20
5:20
5:21
5:22
 mm
3
5
3
2
Temp °C
9
10
10
9
10
10
11
12
12
13
13
14
14
14
14
15
14
14
13
13
12
Feels °C
3
7
8
5
7
7
9
9
9
8
4
6
9
8
10
10
10
11
11
7
9
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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