Wharariki Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.51° S 172.67° E

Wharariki Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 17 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Wharariki Beach sea temperature is
14.1° C
0.9° 

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 17 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 13s period, W swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, W swell with 4,301 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 14s 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 Tuesday (Aug 18) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be 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 Monday (Aug 24) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 5s period and expected on Friday (Aug 21) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Tue 18th Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 14s
Best Surf 6AM (Wed 19th Aug)3.5ft (1.1m) 13s
Most Powerful 6PM (Mon 24th Aug)10ft (3.0m) 15s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s going on with the surf. We’re looking at a stretch that’s mostly a bit of a battle with the wind, but there are a few windows where it’ll come together.

First up, Wharariki Beach. This is our main spot for the whole 16-day run. The water is sitting around 57°, which is about normal for this time of year, so nothing unusual there.

The first real chance to get wet comes on the Monday afternoon of the 17th of August. There’s some swell on the way, but it's a bit of a tease. The wind is a cross-breeze at 12 mph, and the swell is 4ft from the west with a long 15-second period. The combined energy is moderate (606). It’s not going to be clean, and the forecast is pretty marginal, so don’t get your hopes up too high for that session.

The Tuesday morning of the 18th of August looks a bit better. The wind swings to a cross-offshore breeze, cleaning things up nicely. The swell drops to 3ft from the west, still with a decent 14-second period. The combined energy is weaker (349). It’s small, but clean. The afternoon on the same day improves a touch with a 4ft west swell, 13-second period, and a light cross-offshore wind. Energy is moderate (563). Small and clean.

Wednesday morning the 19th of August is a standout. The wind is light from the ESE at 3 mph, almost glassy. The swell is a solid 4ft from the west, with a very long 16-second period. That’s proper groundswell. The combined energy is moderate-strong (875). This is the best looking surf of the first week. The long period will make the waves shape up well, but at a beach break like Wharariki, it might break a bit straight. Still, with those clean conditions, it’s the call.

Then the wind turns nasty. From Wednesday afternoon through the weekend, the wind is howling from the west, hitting 22-28 mph, making a mess of everything. The swell gets bigger, hitting 7ft on the Saturday, but it’s a short-period windswell (6 seconds) with a strong cross-chop. This is more of a kite-surfing setup than a paddle session. The Sunday morning of the 23rd of August has a 8ft swell from the WNW with a short 8-second period and a cross-offshore wind, but the energy is high (841) and the wind is fresh. It’s big, but messy.

The Monday of the 24th of August is for experts only. We’re looking at a 10ft west swell with a 15-second period, but the wind is a near-gale at 34 mph. The combined energy is massive (4227). That’s a dangerous, blown-out mess. Stay on the beach.

The following week is a bit of a mixed bag. The Tuesday morning of the 25th of August has a 5ft west swell, 15-second period, but the wind is still a near-gale at 34 mph. Clean, but you’ll be fighting a hurricane. Not recommended.

The Wednesday of the 26th of August looks more promising. The wind drops to 12 mph from the WSW, cross-offshore. The swell is 6ft from the west, 13-second period, with moderate energy (958). Clean and manageable, but marginal.

The Saturday morning of the 29th of August is another one to watch. The swell is 7ft from the WNW with a 10-second period, and the wind is a light cross-offshore from the SE. The combined energy is strong (1934). This is a bigger, cleaner swell, but the period is a bit average. It’s a potential, but it’s a long way out.

The Sunday morning of the 30th of August is interesting. The wind is light and cross-offshore, the swell is 4ft from the NW with a 9-second period, and the energy is moderate (464). It’s the only session in the second week that gets a “good” rating, so keep an eye on it.

Bottom line: The best session on offer is the Wednesday morning of the 19th of August. Glassy conditions, a solid 4ft west swell with a very long period. That’s the one to circle. The Saturday morning of the 29th of August is a promising long-range option, but it’s a long way out and the period is shorter. The rest of the window is a fight with the wind.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Tue afternoon, min 8°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 32mm), heaviest during Sun morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat afternoon, min 11°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (moderate winds from the WNW on Thu afternoon, gales from the NW by Sat night).

Mon
17
Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
2
1
2
0
3
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
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)
1.2
W
15
1.1
W
14
0.8
W
14
1.3
W
13
1.1
W
13
1.3
W
16
1.3
W
16
1.3
W
15
1.1
W
14
0.9
W
14
0.8
W
14
0.8
W
16
1.3
W
15
0.1
W
14
1.5
W
6
2
W
6
2.3
WNW
7
2.4
WNW
8
2.3
WNW
8
2.5
W
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
606
489
236
563
411
875
822
730
492
324
236
314
726
4
139
324
573
691
755
3262
Wind (km/h)
20
W
25
SE
20
WSW
20
SW
15
NNE
5
E
20
NW
15
WSW
5
SSW
25
WNW
30
W
35
W
40
W
40
W
35
W
35
WNW
50
NW
30
W
45
W
50
W
Wind State
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
on
cross
cross-on
cross-off
off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross-off
High Tide
1:15AM3.13m
1:38PM2.97m
1:55AM2.90m
2:20PM2.78m
2:39AM2.67m
3:09PM2.59m
3:31AM2.47m
4:09PM2.44m
4:39AM2.33m
5:24PM2.37m
5:58AM2.31m
6:40PM2.42m
Low Tide
7:07PM0.28m
7:30AM0.32m
7:48PM0.49m
8:10AM0.54m
8:32PM0.72m
8:56AM0.76m
9:24PM0.93m
9:51AM0.95m
10:28PM1.08m
11:00AM1.06m
11:45PM1.12m
12:16PM1.05m
00:58AM1.04m
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
heavy rain
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:15
7:13
7:11
7:09
7:09
7:07
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:51
5:52
5:52
5:52
5:53
5:54
5:55
 mm
2
1
6
8
15
Temp °C
10
9
10
12
11
9
12
12
11
12
12
12
12
13
13
14
14
13
13
12
Feels °C
4
4
5
9
6
6
7
8
8
6
6
4
3
5
7
6
5
7
4
2
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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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