Wharariki Beach surf break

Wharariki Beach surfForecast / Nelson – West Coast / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 am Friday 16 Jan 2026 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
17.9° C
(Which is 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 Friday (Jan 16) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 14s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Wharariki Beach in the next 12 days are 1.3m 20s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jan 22) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Jan 18) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1PM (Fri 16th Jan)2ft (0.6m) 14s
Best Surf 1PM (Fri 16th Jan)2ft (0.6m) 14s
Most Powerful 4PM (Thu 22nd Jan)4.5ft (1.3m) 20s

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 6mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSE on Fri morning, near gales from the ESE by Sun night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 14°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SE on Mon morning, light winds from the ENE by Wed night).

Friday
16
Saturday
17
Sunday
18
Monday
19
Tuesday
20
Wednesday
21
Thursday
22
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
2
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.6
W
0.6
W
0.6
W
0.6
W
0.6
W
0.5
W
0.4
WSW
0.3
WSW
0.3
WSW
0.3
WSW
0.3
WSW
0.3
WSW
0.3
WSW
0.4
WSW
0.5
W
0.5
W
0.4
WSW
0.4
WSW
0.3
W
1.3
W
2.4
WSW
Period(s) (?)14141312121212121212121212141413131221207
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)14413412511310372462731282827276193875449811273527
Wind
(km/h)
15
ESE
15
WNW
10
WNW
30
ESE
40
ESE
55
ESE
55
ESE
50
ESE
55
ESE
50
SE
40
ESE
45
ESE
45
ESE
40
ESE
40
ESE
30
ESE
20
ESE
15
SE
30
ESE
35
SE
40
SE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
crosscrosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
9:43PM
2.65
10:09AM
2.82
10:27PM
2.78
10:50AM
2.97
11:07PM
2.90
11:28AM
3.10
11:44PM
3.00
12:04PM
3.20
12:21AM
3.06
12:39PM
3.26
12:57AM
3.09
1:15PM
3.27
1:35AM
3.09
Low Tide
/ height (m)
3:36PM
0.80
3:54AM
0.67
4:21PM
0.65
4:36AM
0.52
5:02PM
0.51
5:15AM
0.39
5:40PM
0.38
5:52AM
0.29
6:17PM
0.27
6:28AM
0.23
6:54PM
0.21
7:05AM
0.21
7:31PM
0.18
Friday
16
Saturday
17
Sunday
18
Monday
19
Tuesday
20
Wednesday
21
Thursday
22
Sunrise6:16--6:16--6:18--6:18--6:20--6:22--6:22--
Sunset-9:00--8:59--8:59--8:58--8:58--8:57--8:57-
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
heavy rain
Rain (mm)
114-----------------23
Temp. °C161717151615151514151616151717151717172017
Feels °C (?)14131598544358869991515121714
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder

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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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