
Surf Forecasts:
Wharariki Beach surf forecast from 6 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 11 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 19s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 12 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 16s period, W swell with 10,999 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 8 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 13s 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 (Sep 08) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 9s. 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 5.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 12) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 8s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Fri 11th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 19s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 16ft (5.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Wharariki Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, surfers, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's coming down the line for Wharariki Beach. It's a bit of a mixed bag, and I won't lie, there's some big, gnarly water on the horizon, but we’ve got to be patient for the clean ones.
Right now, the water temp is sitting at a pretty average 57°F for the time of year, so nothing weird going on there.
The first week is a write-off for a decent paddle. We've got a big, powerful groundswell rolling in from the west, with a very long period of 17 seconds on Sunday the 6th. The combined energy is massive at 3217 (moderate to strong), but with a strong 25 mph cross-on wind, it's just a messy, blown-out cauldron. Not worth getting wet.
We get a bit of a lull after that, but the wind is brutal. Monday the 7th sees a gale from the SE at 40 mph, and while the conditions are clean and the swell drops to 4ft, the wind is far too strong for any kind of enjoyable surf. The same goes for Tuesday and Wednesday – the energy is weak (366 and 131) with small, weak swell.
The real story starts to build towards the end of the second week. Thursday the 10th shows a jump in size to 7ft from the WNW, but the period is a short, bumpy 6 seconds. Clean, but not great.
Now, keep your eyes on the 13th of September – Sunday morning. The forecast is showing a massive 13ft swell from the west, with a very long period of 16 seconds. The combined energy is a staggering 15341 (strong to very strong). The wind is a clean, strong breeze offshore. This is a true standout. But, and this is a big but, this is an exposed beach break. At 13ft, this is expert-only territory. The long period will also mean the waves will be very straight and powerful, which isn't ideal for a beach. It's a monster that only the brave and very skilled should consider. The rest of the week is just more of the same – huge, clean, but too big and wind-affected.
The final standout window is the 19th of September – Saturday morning. Another clean, offshore morning with a 13ft west swell, period of 8 seconds. The energy is strong at 2121. Again, 13ft is for experts only.
So, the overall picture is this: a lot of stormy, messy, or dangerously big surf. The one true highlight for a surfer with the skills and courage is the morning of September 13th. Big, powerful, and clean offshore wind, but it's a beast. For the rest of us, it's a waiting game for a smaller, cleaner day, which doesn't look like it's coming in the 16-day window.
Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 54mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 8°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (gales from the SE on Mon morning, calm by Mon night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Wed morning, min 9°C on Thu afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Wed morning, gales from the WSW by Fri afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 17 | W 17 | W 16 | W 15 | W 14 | W 14 | W 13 | W 13 | W 11 | W 12 | W 19 | W 18 | WNW 6 | W 16 | W 19 | W 18 | W 18 | W 17 | W 12 | W 14 | W 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
3039 | 2161 | 1269 | 661 | 416 | 476 | 272 | 255 | 189 | 71 | 184 | 2224 | 341 | 2219 | 4478 | 7617 | 7580 | 9304 | 4665 | 7456 | 10489 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:25PM2.66m | 6:06AM2.60m | 6:45PM2.79m | 7:20AM2.75m | 7:50PM2.99m | 8:19AM2.95m | 8:43PM3.20m | 9:09AM3.14m | 9:29PM3.37m | 9:52AM3.28m | 10:10PM3.46m | 10:32AM3.35m | 10:49PM3.46m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:02AM0.80m | 11:50PM0.79m | 12:23PM0.73m | 1:07AM0.63m | 1:32PM0.55m | 2:08AM0.41m | 2:28PM0.34m | 2:59AM0.19m | 3:16PM0.16m | 3:43AM0.03m | 3:59PM0.04m | 4:24AM-0.06m | 4:39PM-0.00m | ||||||||
6:46 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
— | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:15 | — | |
mm | 1 | 13 | 23 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 6 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 14 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 |
Feels °C | 7 | 5 | 7 | -4 | -4 | 3 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -2 | -3 | -5 | 1 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 17 | W 17 | NW 9 | NW 8 | NW 9 | W 14 | W 13 | W 13 | W 11 | W 12 | W 19 | N 7 | W 17 | — | WNW 19 | W 18 | — | NW 11 | — | NW 14 | NW 16 |
3039 | 2161 | 1011 | 411 | 176 | 476 | 272 | 255 | 189 | 71 | 184 | 1 | 195 | — | 1497 | 7617 | — | 150 | — | 407 | 573 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 16 | W 15 | W 14 | NW 8 | NNW 9 | NW 9 | NW 8 | NW 8 | W 13 | — | W 23 | — | NW 19 | — | — | NW 17 | — | — | — |
— | — | 1269 | 661 | 416 | 72 | 94 | 88 | 57 | 33 | 53 | — | 42 | — | 96 | — | — | 76 | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | WNW 15 | N 10 | E 5 | E 4 | W 21 | WNW 9 | — | — | W 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | 21 | 29 | 25 | 6 | 35 | 27 | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 6 | NW 7 | — | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 5 | — | — | — | WNW 8 | W 18 | WNW 6 | W 16 | W 19 | — | W 18 | W 17 | W 12 | W 14 | W 16 |
178 | 607 | — | 666 | 1278 | 210 | 27 | — | — | — | 116 | 2224 | 341 | 2219 | 4478 | — | 7580 | 9304 | 4665 | 7456 | 10489 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 97 | 211 | 97 | 95 | 34 | 11 | 98 | 163 | 0 | 111 | 152 | 99 | 97 | 215 | 170 | 196 | 196 | 152 | 196 | 198 | 95 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Nelson - West Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










