
Surf Forecasts:
Wharariki Beach surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 16s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 17s period, W swell with 3,235 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 16s 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 Sunday (Jul 19) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 6s. 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 2.3m 17s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 12AM. 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 6s period and expected on Monday (Jul 20) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Sat 25th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Wharariki Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s get into it.
Well, we’ve got a bit of a mixed bag over the next 16 days, and honestly, it’s a pretty slow start. The first real chance to wet a line won’t come until Sunday the 19th. Before that, there’s a blank run with nothing worth paddling out for.
The standout session across the whole period is Sunday morning, July 19th, at Wharariki Beach. The swell is a solid 4ft out of the west, with a long 16-second period. That’s proper groundswell, and it’s heading straight into the exposed beach. The wind is a clean offshore from the southeast at just 6 mph, so expect glassy, lined-up waves. The water’s sitting at 59°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. Combined wave energy is moderate at 954. Keep an eye on the crowds, though – this spot can get busy, and with conditions this good, it’ll be popular.
The rest of the week is a struggle. Saturday afternoon the 18th has a 7ft west swell with a very long 18-second period, but a howling 25 mph cross-offshore wind from the WSW makes it a mess. The combined energy is strong at 3472, but it’s not for paddling – that setup looks more interesting for kite surfing. Monday the 20th and Tuesday the 21st are all poor, with strong winds and small, weak swell.
We get a brief reprieve on Wednesday morning the 22nd – tiny 1ft waves from the WSW, but it’s absolutely glassy. Only for the patient, though. The energy is weak at 121. Then it’s back to rubbish through Thursday and Friday the 24th, with messy cross-shore winds and rain.
The next sniff of decent surf arrives on Saturday the 25th. A 6ft west swell with a 14-second period, and cross-offshore winds from the WSW at 22 mph. The combined energy is strong at 1357, but with that wind, it’s still a bit on the edge. The morning looks cleaner than the afternoon.
Sunday the 26th holds a 6ft west swell with a 15-second period, but the wind is light cross-shore from the east. It’s bumpy, but the energy is there at 1510. It’s a marginal call.
The best run of the second week looks to be Monday the 27th. A 4ft west swell, 13-second period, with light offshore winds from the southeast in the morning, then turning glassy in the afternoon. Clean, small waves at Wharariki Beach. The combined energy is moderate at 488.
Tuesday the 28th and Wednesday the 29th are small and clean in the mornings, but the swell fades. Thursday the 30th and Friday the 31st are blown out with strong onshore winds and rain. The period wraps up with a small, clean Saturday morning on August 1st – a 4ft west swell, 13-second period, glassy conditions, and a combined energy of 422. It’s a nice little session, but small.
So, overall, the pick is crystal clear: Sunday morning, July 19th, at Wharariki Beach. Set your alarm.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Sat afternoon, min 10°C on Mon night). Mainly strong winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Fri morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Tue afternoon, min 10°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed night, strong winds from the NNW by Thu night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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 18 | W 17 | W 16 | W 16 | W 15 | W 14 | W 14 | W 14 | W 13 | W 13 | W 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | W 13 | W 13 | W 13 | W 13 | W 10 | W 9 | W 14 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
2538 | 3235 | 853 | 1106 | 606 | 405 | 394 | 293 | 219 | 404 | 77 | 47 | 47 | 215 | 272 | 276 | 119 | 467 | 318 | 697 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:08AM3.33m | 1:33PM3.07m | 1:53AM3.14m | 2:19PM2.91m | 2:38AM2.93m | 3:08PM2.75m | 3:27AM2.72m | 4:01PM2.60m | 4:22AM2.55m | 5:00PM2.50m | 5:25AM2.44m | 6:06PM2.47m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:55PM0.14m | 7:25AM0.16m | 7:41PM0.30m | 8:10AM0.33m | 8:28PM0.50m | 8:57AM0.52m | 9:18PM0.70m | 9:46AM0.70m | 10:13PM0.87m | 10:42AM0.85m | 11:15PM0.99m | 11:45AM0.93m | 00:22AM1.02m | |||||||
— | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | |
5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 15 | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 |
Feels °C | 5 | 4 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 3 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 18 | WNW 18 | W 16 | W 16 | W 15 | W 14 | W 14 | W 14 | W 13 | N 10 | W 12 | W 6 | W 5 | W 13 | W 13 | W 13 | W 13 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 |
930 | 30 | 853 | 1106 | 606 | 405 | 394 | 293 | 219 | 8 | 77 | 31 | 13 | 215 | 272 | 276 | 119 | 467 | 318 | 492 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 5 | NW 7 | W 6 | N 11 | NNW 11 | NNW 11 | NNW 11 | NNW 11 | ENE 4 | W 18 | W 16 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | — | NW 12 | N 6 | W 14 |
2 | 2 | 98 | 9 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 11 | 5 | 25 | 21 | 47 | 47 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 5 | 78 | 697 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 8 | — | N 12 | N 11 | NNW 11 | — | W 22 | W 20 | NNW 10 | NE 4 | N 10 | W 16 | W 15 | N 9 | — | — | — | — | W 13 | N 8 |
2 | — | 3 | 9 | 11 | — | 9 | 8 | 10 | 1 | 8 | 43 | 38 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 55 | 41 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 18 | W 17 | — | — | E 5 | ESE 6 | E 5 | E 5 | — | W 13 | WSW 5 | — | — | — | — | WNW 4 | NW 5 | N 6 | SW 3 | — |
2538 | 3235 | — | — | 75 | 126 | 92 | 28 | — | 404 | 33 | — | — | — | — | 16 | 66 | 123 | 2 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 152 | 111 | 0 | 111 | 34 | 34 | 34 | 11 | 152 | 152 | 111 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 111 | 192 | 111 | 336 | 95 | 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.










