Wharariki Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.51° S 172.67° E

Wharariki Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 02 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Wharariki Beach sea temperature is
13.9°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 2 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 5 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, WNW swell with 5,659 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 5 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 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 Saturday (Sep 05) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m and 15s is also forecast. 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 3.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) 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 1.0m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 09) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Sat 5th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 14s
Best Surf 6AM (Sat 5th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 14s
Most Powerful 6PM (Sun 6th Sep)11ft (3.5m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, this is Rusty coming to you live from the beach. Let’s get into it for the next couple of weeks. We’ve only got one spot on the radar, and it's a wild ride.

The big picture for the 16-day window is that we’re looking at a classic spring-time battle between proper groundswell and gnarly wind. There are some huge, powerful swells on the way, but the local weather is going to be stubborn, making it tough to get clean waves. Expect a long stretch of messy, blown-out conditions before things potentially calm down for a weekend that’s got a couple of windows for the brave.

Wharariki Beach is our one break, and it’s an exposed, consistent spot that pulls in a massive amount of energy. The water temp is sitting at 57°, which is about average for the time of year right now.

Let’s start with the grim stuff. Right off the bat, from the morning of Wednesday the 2nd right through to Sunday the 6th, it’s basically a write-off. We’re talking a solid week straight of strong to near-gale-force winds from the west and northwest, ripping across the break. The swell energy is huge, with values like 3208 and even 6267, but with those winds, the surface is going to be a mess of cross-chop and lumps. It’s just not worth paddling out for a traditional surfer; honestly, with that kind of wind and swell size (up to 12 ft), this setup is looking way more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

Monday the 7th morning gives us a little tease. The wind drops to a light 3 mph cross-shore, and we’ve got a solid 8 ft swell with an 11-second period. The combined energy is still strong at 2354, but the forecast is calling it marginal. The tide might be playing games, and it’s still a bit chunky for the average Joe. That’s the best of a bad bunch for the first week, but I wouldn’t get too excited.

The real promise, the stuff that gets the heart pumping, is looking at the second week. But remember, Rusty’s law: long-range calls are promising but less certain. Mark your calendars for Thursday the 11th. The Friday morning is looking *very* interesting. We've got a massive, clean 13 ft W swell with a 19-second period. That’s a very long period groundswell. The energy is insane at 10142, and the wind is a perfect 12 mph cross-off from the ESE. This is proper big-wave territory. Only for experts, mind you. Anything over 8 ft is for the crew with the big guns. That long period will make for beautifully shaped, heavy lines at a point or reef, but at a beach break it might close out. For the brave, that morning is the standout.

Then, Saturday the 12th morning is another window. The swell drops to a more manageable 8 ft from the west, still with a solid 16-second period. The wind swings to a light SW cross-off at just 6 mph. The energy is still very strong at 5190. This is called "exceptional" and it’s the absolute best on offer for experienced surfers. It’s big, it’s clean, and it’s powerful. This is the one to circle.

After that, the energy starts to fade into the following week, with smaller swells and winds picking back up. For a spot this consistent, this is a tough run, but that Thursday to Saturday window in the second week is where the magic could happen.

Stay frothing.

- Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Thu night. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu night, min 11°C on Fri afternoon). Winds increasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Thu afternoon, near gales from the W by Fri afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 31mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun afternoon, min 11°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the NNW on Sun morning, light winds from the NW by Mon morning).

Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
!
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
1
0
1
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.3
W
17
2
W
14
1.6
W
15
1.4
WNW
8
1.9
WNW
6
1.1
W
15
3.5
WNW
9
3.5
WNW
9
3
W
10
3
W
14
2.5
W
14
2.4
W
16
3
WNW
17
1.7
W
17
3
WNW
16
2.5
WNW
11
3
WNW
14
2.4
W
13
1.9
W
12
1.3
W
11
2
W
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
3164
1653
1209
256
279
517
1848
1761
1999
3436
3066
2875
4340
1586
5002
1643
2890
1932
1031
418
1117
Wind (km/h)
50
WSW
40
W
35
WNW
35
WNW
35
WNW
45
NW
50
W
50
WSW
50
WSW
35
WSW
35
W
35
WNW
40
NNW
45
NNW
45
NW
5
WNW
35
W
40
WSW
40
W
25
WSW
5
E
Wind State
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-off
glassy
High Tide
1:07PM3.11m
1:26AM3.07m
1:53PM2.97m
2:16AM2.88m
2:49PM2.81m
3:19AM2.69m
4:00PM2.68m
4:39AM2.57m
5:25PM2.66m
6:06AM2.60m
6:45PM2.79m
7:20AM2.75m
7:50PM2.99m
Low Tide
7:19PM0.35m
7:43AM0.36m
8:08PM0.52m
8:36AM0.55m
9:09PM0.70m
9:42AM0.72m
10:25PM0.81m
11:02AM0.80m
11:50PM0.79m
12:23PM0.73m
1:07AM0.63m
1:32PM0.55m
2:08AM0.41m
part cloud
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
heavy rain
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:52
6:50
6:48
6:47
6:46
6:43
6:41
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:06
6:07
6:07
6:08
6:09
6:09
6:10
 mm
1
3
12
3
1
4
4
15
7
Temp °C
13
13
13
14
14
15
15
12
12
12
13
13
13
15
13
13
13
12
12
13
12
Feels °C
3
5
6
8
8
9
6
1
0
4
6
6
5
7
5
12
6
4
3
8
8
  • 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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