Wharariki Beach surf break

Wharariki Beach surfForecast / Nelson – West Coast / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Thursday 18 Dec 2025 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
17.3° C
(Which is 1.0°C warmer than normal for this time of year)


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 Monday (Dec 22) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.3m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 10s is also forecast. Another secondary swell of 0.7m and 4s is also forecast. 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 2.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Dec 24) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Friday (Dec 19) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Mon 22nd Dec)1ft (0.3m) 12s
Best Surf 7AM (Thu 25th Dec)10ft (3.0m) 8s
Most Powerful 7AM (Wed 24th Dec)8ft (2.5m) 12s

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

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri morning, min 13°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Thu afternoon, moderate winds from the WSW by Sat night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 22mm), heaviest during Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon night, min 13°C on Sun night). Mainly near gales.

Thu
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
!
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
2
W
1.6
W
0.2
N
1.5
W
2.2
W
1.7
W
2.1
W
1.3
W
1
W
1.6
W
0.5
W
0.7
W
0.4
WSW
3.5
NW
3
WNW
2.5
WNW
2.4
WNW
2.4
WNW
2.1
WNW
2.2
NW
3
WNW
Period(s) (?)612115796712511711899101212118
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)255748912451044033518628013163543714171402126510211622119010701282
Wind
(km/h)
45
W
45
WSW
40
W
45
WNW
50
WSW
40
WSW
50
WSW
35
WSW
30
WSW
45
W
30
WSW
25
W
25
WNW
50
WNW
50
W
50
W
40
W
35
W
30
WNW
35
WNW
30
WNW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crosscross-
off
crosscrosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
crosscross-
on
crosscross-
off
crosscrosscrosscrosscrosscross
High Tide
/ height (m)
10:02PM
2.78
10:26AM
2.92
10:43PM
2.85
11:05AM
3.00
11:21PM
2.91
11:43AM
3.05
11:59PM
2.93
12:20PM
3.08
12:37AM
2.93
12:58PM
3.08
1:15AM
2.90
1:36PM
3.06
1:56AM
2.86
Low Tide
/ height (m)
4:13AM
0.54
4:38PM
0.57
4:52AM
0.47
5:17PM
0.50
5:31AM
0.42
5:56PM
0.46
6:09AM
0.39
6:34PM
0.43
6:46AM
0.39
7:13PM
0.43
7:25AM
0.41
7:53PM
0.44
8:05AM
0.46
Thu
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
Sunrise--5:52--5:54--5:54--5:54--5:54--5:56--5:56
Sunset8:57--8:57--8:58--8:59--8:59--9:00--9:00--
cloud
cloud
cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
mod rain
rain showers
clear
part cloud
cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
---2--------715-------
Temp. °C161517171615151415151415151817171617171717
Feels °C (?)87101185569669111089912131312
  • 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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