Wharariki Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.51° S 172.67° E

Wharariki Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 14 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Wharariki Beach sea temperature is
13.5°C
0.4° 

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 14 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 17 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 14s period, W swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 19 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, W swell with 3,384 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 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 Monday (Sep 14) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 6s. 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 3.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 19) 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 1.9m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Mon 14th Sep)4ft (1.2m) 15s
Best Surf 6PM (Thu 17th Sep)6ft (1.9m) 14s
Most Powerful 6PM (Sat 19th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 15s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s break down Wharariki Beach in feet and miles per hour.

So, the first decent surf shows up Monday the 14th of September. We’ve got a solid 6ft swell out of the west, with a long 16-second period – that’s proper groundswell. The combined energy is at 1391 (moderate), and with the wind coming light from the SSW at just 3 mph, it’s glassy. Water temp is 56°, about average for the season. This is excellent, but it’s strictly for experienced surfers – that power is no joke.

Monday afternoon, the wind cranks up to 19 mph from the WSW, and the quality tanks. Tuesday morning still has some clean leftover swell at 3ft, but the energy is weak (379), so it’s a small-wave day. Tuesday arvo is blown out with 28 mph winds.

Wednesday the 16th and Thursday the 17th are average – lumpy, cross-shore breezes, nothing special. Thursday morning sees a bump to 7ft, but with a short 7-second period, it’s going to be a crumbly mess.

Here’s the highlight: Friday the 18th of September, morning session. We’ve got a 8ft west swell with a 16-second period – long, powerful groundswell. The combined energy is a strong 2599. The wind is light from the west at 6 mph, keeping it clean. This is the best of the whole run. The afternoon is still decent at 7ft but the wind picks up, so dawn patrol is the move.

Saturday the 19th and Sunday the 20th stay big – 8ft to 8ft – but the wind is howling from the west at 25-34 mph, turning it into a windblown mess. The following week is rough: from Monday the 21st through the end of the month, it’s either blown out, cross-shore, or too small. There’s a brief chance on Saturday the 26th of September morning with a 3ft west swell and light ESE winds, but it’s nothing to get excited about.

So, Friday morning is the one. Pounce on it. The rest is mostly a waiting game.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 13°C on Mon afternoon, min 10°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSW on Mon morning, strong winds from the W by Tue afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri afternoon, min 10°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Fri morning, near gales from the WSW by Sat morning).

Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
Saturday
19
Sunday
20
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
4
2
3
2
0
0
0
0
0
3
3
4
4
2
1
1
2
1
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.7
W
16
1.6
W
15
1.1
W
15
0.9
W
15
0.1
N
12
0.1
N
12
0.5
W
13
0.6
W
13
2.3
NW
11
2
N
7
1.2
W
14
1.9
W
12
2.3
W
16
2.2
W
15
2.4
W
15
2.4
W
15
2.5
W
15
2.4
W
15
2.3
W
15
2.4
W
14
1.9
W
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1384
1162
517
343
3
3
87
117
1167
439
526
1005
2589
2255
2559
2412
3148
2474
2396
2342
1472
Wind (km/h)
10
SSW
35
WSW
10
SW
10
SW
45
WSW
40
W
35
WNW
30
WNW
35
NNW
20
WSW
20
SW
20
S
10
WSW
30
SW
40
WSW
40
WSW
45
WSW
40
WSW
50
WSW
55
WSW
45
W
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
11:46AM3.29m
00:02AM3.26m
12:22PM3.17m
00:38AM3.07m
12:59PM3.00m
1:15AM2.86m
1:38PM2.80m
1:57AM2.64m
2:24PM2.60m
2:48AM2.43m
3:23PM2.43m
3:56AM2.29m
4:42PM2.34m
Low Tide
5:55PM0.14m
6:14AM0.16m
6:32PM0.31m
6:50AM0.36m
7:11PM0.51m
7:28AM0.58m
7:53PM0.73m
8:12AM0.80m
8:42PM0.94m
9:06AM0.99m
9:47PM1.10m
10:18AM1.11m
11:08PM1.15m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
rain showers
heavy rain
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:33
6:31
6:28
6:26
6:26
6:24
6:22
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:16
6:17
6:19
6:20
6:21
6:22
6:22
 mm
5
4
3
13
Temp °C
12
13
12
12
12
12
13
13
13
12
11
10
12
13
12
13
13
13
14
14
13
Feels °C
10
9
9
6
3
4
6
7
7
10
7
7
10
8
4
5
5
4
4
3
7
  • 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 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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