Wharariki Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.51° S 172.67° E

Wharariki Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 27 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Wharariki Beach sea temperature is
14.3° 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 27 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 1 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 31 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 14s period, W swell with 7,374 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 27 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 12s 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 Monday (Jul 27) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 12s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Wharariki Beach in the next 16 days are 4.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 31) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Monday (Aug 03) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3PM (Mon 27th Jul)4.5ft (1.3m) 12s
Best Surf12AM (Sat 1st Aug)11ft (3.5m) 14s
Most Powerful 6PM (Fri 31st Jul)15ft (4.5m) 14s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s get into it. The next 16 days start with a bit of a wait, but once things kick off, there’s some real quality in the mix.

The first proper surf window opens on Monday, July 27th, with a clean, 5ft swell from the west. The period is a solid 12 seconds, so there’s some good energy behind it. The morning is the pick – a light cross-offshore breeze from the southeast, keeping the faces clean. The combined energy is moderate (715). The water temp is sitting at 58°, which is just a touch warmer than average for this time of year, so nothing too wild. This is a good, solid start for intermediate surfers.

Monday afternoon sees a drop in quality as the wind swings onshore, so get out there early.

Tuesday the 28th and Wednesday the 29th are small and ordinary – waves around 3ft to 3ft, with okay conditions but nothing to get excited about. The wind is light and cross-shore, so the surf is there, but it’s very average.

Thursday the 30th and Friday the 31st are a write-off. Rain showers, strong winds, and lumpy, choppy conditions. The swell is all over the place, and the energy is high but ugly. Stay out of the water.

Now, here’s the standout. Saturday, August 1st, in the morning at Wharariki Beach. The swell is a big 10ft out of the west, with a 13-second period. The combined energy is strong (3049). The wind is a clean cross-offshore from the southeast, so the surf is going to be powerful and clean. But listen – this is a lot of water. At 10ft, it’s only for experienced surfers. Beginners, this is a hard pass. The afternoon drops to 7ft, but the wind goes light and cross-shore, so it’s still heavy but slightly more manageable.

Sunday, August 2nd, is a solid follow-up. Morning sees a 5ft west swell with a clean offshore wind from the south-southwest, and the energy is moderate (506). The surf is clean and well-shaped. Good for intermediates.

The next real spark comes on Tuesday, August 4th. The afternoon session at Wharariki Beach is the pick of the second week. You’ve got a 5ft west swell, a long 16-second period, and a light cross-offshore breeze. The energy is solid (1145), and the waves are clean, with excellent shape. This is a proper day for experienced surfers to get some long, lined-up waves.

The rest of the second week is a mixed bag. Wednesday the 5th has some size (6ft) but a short 8-second period and a messy cross-shore wind, so it’s not great. From Thursday the 6th through to Saturday the 8th, it’s small and clean but weak – waves under 3ft and light winds, but the energy is low. Sunday the 9th and Monday the 10th offer a little more (3ft to 4ft), clean, but still marginal.

The final couple of days, Tuesday the 11th and Wednesday the 12th, look messy with rain and strong onshore winds. Not worth paddling out for.

So, the best of the bunch: Monday morning July 27th for a clean start, and the absolute standout is Tuesday afternoon, August 4th, for that clean, long-period west swell. If you’re experienced, Saturday morning August 1st is the big one, but it’s a handful.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 13°C on Wed night, min 8°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Thu night. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu morning, min 9°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (gales from the W on Fri afternoon, calm by Sat night).

Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Friday
31
Saturday
1
Sunday
2
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
2
1
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
!
4
1
1
2
2
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.5
W
12
1.3
W
12
1.1
W
12
0.9
W
11
0.9
W
11
0.8
W
11
0.8
W
11
1
W
14
1.1
W
14
0.8
W
14
1.8
NNW
6
2.2
WNW
10
2.4
WNW
9
3.5
W
9
3.5
W
14
2.3
W
13
1.8
W
11
1.3
W
10
1.2
W
9
1
W
8
0.4
WNW
22
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
717
497
322
189
185
146
141
411
462
239
197
821
897
1834
4736
1701
849
325
225
138
154
Wind (km/h)
10
SE
5
NE
5
SSE
10
ESE
10
ENE
10
SE
10
WNW
20
WNW
15
NW
30
NW
40
NNW
30
WNW
55
W
65
W
40
WSW
15
SE
15
E
10
NE
5
SSE
5
ENE
5
NE
Wind State
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
glassy
glassy
cross-on
High Tide
8:53PM2.77m
9:12AM2.72m
9:35PM2.91m
9:52AM2.85m
10:13PM3.04m
10:29AM2.95m
10:48PM3.14m
11:05AM3.02m
11:23PM3.20m
11:41AM3.06m
11:57PM3.22m
12:16PM3.06m
00:32AM3.20m
Low Tide
2:37PM0.73m
3:06AM0.70m
3:20PM0.59m
3:47AM0.56m
4:00PM0.45m
4:25AM0.43m
4:37PM0.35m
5:01AM0.32m
5:12PM0.28m
5:37AM0.25m
5:48PM0.25m
6:12AM0.22m
6:24PM0.27m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
mod rain
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:39
7:39
7:37
7:37
7:35
7:35
7:33
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:30
5:31
5:32
5:34
5:35
5:35
5:36
 mm
2
2
1
10
3
Temp °C
9
10
10
9
10
10
11
12
13
14
14
13
11
12
11
11
11
10
9
9
10
Feels °C
6
8
7
6
8
8
7
7
9
8
6
4
-1
-1
0
5
6
5
7
7
7
  • 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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