Wharariki Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.51° S 172.67° E

Wharariki Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 15 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Wharariki Beach sea temperature is
14.6° C
1.0° 

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 15 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 17s period, W swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 18s period, W swell with 3,637 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 17s 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 Saturday (Jul 18) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Wharariki Beach in the next 16 days are 2.4m 18s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Sat 18th Jul)4.5ft (1.4m) 17s
Best Surf 9PM (Sat 18th Jul)4.5ft (1.4m) 17s
Most Powerful 3PM (Sat 18th Jul)8ft (2.4m) 18s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here, lookin’ over the charts for the next couple of weeks. Straight up, it’s a patchy run for Wharariki Beach. There’s a fair bit of swell on the way, but man, the wind is gonna mess with it most days. The first real standout I can see is Monday the 20th – that’s the one to pencil in. The water temp’s sitting at 58°, which is about a degree warmer than usual for this time of year, so nothin’ too wild there.

Let’s start with the first few days. Wednesday the 15th is a write-off – we’ve got 8ft of west swell with a 16-second period, which gives it some serious grunt (combined energy of 2993), but the cross-wind at 12 mph is just gonna mess it up. Thursday the 16th is a bit cleaner with a cross-off wind, but it’s blowin’ 25 mph, and that’s just too strong for a good session. The swell’s still around 7ft, which is borderline for all but the most experienced. Friday the 17th drops a bit to 5-5ft, but you’re still lookin’ at a 15-19 mph wind. Saturday the 18th is a total no-go – 8ft swell with a near gale blowin’ 31 mph? That’s kite-surfing weather, not paddle surfing.

Now, Sunday the 19th is a bit of a tease. The swell’s down to 5ft, but the wind has swung around to the east at 15 mph, so it’s a messy cross-shore chop. Not worth it.

Here’s your best bet: Monday the 20th. The morning session is the pick. We’ve got a clean 4ft west swell rolling in with a 14-second period, and the wind is a light easterly at 6 mph, almost glassy. The combined energy is 504, so it’s got a bit of push without being too much. This is a solid, clean wave for an intermediate surfer. The tide might be a factor, but with these conditions, it’s gonna be fun. The afternoon sees a light cross-on breeze, so hit it early.

After that, things drop off again. Tuesday the 21st is tiny – 2ft – and Wednesday the 22nd is even smaller, with a short-period wind swell that’s a mess. Thursday the 23rd gets a bit of a clean-up with 3ft and light winds, but it’s real small. Friday the 24th and Saturday the 25th are a write-off with strong winds or rain.

Now, lookin' a week ahead, Sunday the 26th looks promising. We’ve got 8ft of west swell at a 16-second period, combined energy of 3171 and 4272, with a cross-off breeze. That’s a lot of water movin’, but it’s clean. It’s a bit big for beginners, but for the experienced crew, that could be a ripper. Monday the 27th, though, it’s gonna be 10ft – that’s only for the experts, and the wind is gonna be howlin’ at 28 mph, so it’s gonna be a beast. Tuesday the 28th is still windy and messy.

So, in short: the best day on offer is Monday morning the 20th – clean, light winds, and a fun 4ft swell. The long-range standout is Sunday the 26th if you’re an expert lookin’ for a solid, clean 8ft groundswell, but keep an eye on that wind. It’s a long wait, but there’s a couple of decent windows.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed morning, min 9°C on Fri morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the WNW on Wed morning, strong winds from the WSW by Fri night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 13°C on Sat night, min 10°C on Sat morning). Winds decreasing (near gales from the WSW on Sat morning, calm by Mon night).

Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
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
2
1
1
1
0
2
2
2
0
0
2
1
1
2
3
1
2
1
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.4
W
16
2.4
W
16
1.9
W
16
2.1
W
15
2
W
15
1.1
W
15
1.4
W
15
1.5
W
15
1.4
W
15
2.1
W
15
2.4
W
18
1.4
W
17
1.5
W
16
1.4
W
16
1.2
W
15
1.1
W
14
1
W
14
0.9
W
13
0.7
W
13
0.7
W
13
0.2
N
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2948
2789
1764
2125
1746
520
858
1006
876
1963
3637
1143
1134
952
606
482
383
284
166
161
8
Wind (km/h)
15
WNW
25
W
35
WNW
40
WSW
40
WSW
35
WSW
30
SW
30
WSW
25
SW
50
WSW
50
WSW
15
N
25
E
20
E
15
E
10
ESE
10
NE
5
WNW
5
SSW
30
WSW
35
WSW
Wind State
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
on
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
10:24AM3.27m
10:49PM3.49m
11:14AM3.30m
11:37PM3.52m
12:01PM3.28m
00:23AM3.46m
12:47PM3.19m
1:08AM3.33m
1:33PM3.07m
1:53AM3.14m
2:19PM2.91m
2:38AM2.93m
3:08PM2.75m
Low Tide
4:35PM0.02m
5:06AM-0.01m
5:23PM-0.01m
5:54AM-0.03m
6:10PM0.03m
6:40AM0.03m
6:55PM0.14m
7:25AM0.16m
7:41PM0.30m
8:10AM0.33m
8:28PM0.50m
8:57AM0.52m
9:18PM0.70m
clear
clear
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:48
7:48
7:48
7:47
7:46
7:46
7:45
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:21
5:22
5:22
5:22
5:23
5:24
5:25
 mm
7
2
Temp °C
15
15
15
13
13
12
11
12
10
11
12
13
10
10
11
11
11
11
10
11
11
Feels °C
12
10
10
5
4
4
4
6
5
0
2
9
4
5
7
8
9
10
8
5
3
  • 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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