Surf Forecasts:
Wharariki Beach surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 17 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 15s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 15s period, W swell with 1,571 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 15s 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 (Aug 17) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 15s. 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 1.9m 15s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.2m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Wharariki Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, Rusty here, and I'm looking at a stretch that's got a bit of a split personality. We've got some real clean windows, but also plenty of days the wind is going to mess with us. The standout is definitely shaping up for the 19th, but there's a few other mornings worth a look if you're keen.
Alright, Wharariki Beach is the only spot on the card. It's an exposed, consistent break that's exposed to the northwest. The water temp is sitting at 57°, which is about average for this time of year.
The first decent chance hits on Sunday the 16th. It's not a classic, with a 6 ft swell from the west and a strong onshore breeze, but it's surfable. The energy is massive though, sitting at 1809 (strong to very strong). Monday the 17th morning is a step up. Swell drops to 5 ft from the west, period is a long 15 seconds, and with a light cross-off breeze it'll be clean. The energy is 881 (moderate), and we're calling it very good surf conditions. That afternoon turns to junk with a cross-on wind, so get in early.
Tuesday the 18th morning is a small one, 2 ft from the west, but with a glassy, near-calm wind. That’s pretty clean but tiny, with 270 energy (moderate). The afternoon picks up to 4 ft but the wind gets up.
Now, Wednesday the 19th morning – this is the highlight. We've got a 5 ft west swell, a very long 16-second period, and the wind is glassy. That's a recipe for some of the best waves of the week. The energy is 1014 (strong), and the conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers. Get on it. The afternoon turns to junk with a cross-on wind.
Thursday the 20th is small and average with a cross-shore wind. Friday the 21st and Saturday the 22nd are write-offs with strong cross-shore winds and messy conditions. Sunday the 23rd is messy and strong, and those 8 ft cross-on waves will be a battle.
There's a lull of a few days with nothing worth recommending. The next real chance isn't until the following Wednesday the 26th morning where we see a clean 7 ft west swell at 15 seconds, though the wind is a fresh cross-off. Energy is 1746 (strong). It's a marginal call. Then Friday the 28th has a clean 3 ft in the morning with a 14-second period and moderate wind – small but workable. Energy is 564 (moderate).
The last standout window is Sunday the 30th morning. A clean 4 ft west swell, 15-second period, with a light cross-off breeze. Energy is 641 (moderate), and the forecast says very good surf conditions. That's a solid way to close out the period.
Overall, the 19th is the clear winner, and the 30th is a solid backup if you can wait.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sun morning. Very mild (max 12°C on Tue afternoon, min 7°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SE on Sun morning, light winds from the ENE by Mon morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri night, min 10°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed night, strong winds from the W by Fri afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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 16 | W 15 | W 15 | W 15 | W 15 | W 14 | W 14 | W 13 | W 14 | W 16 | W 16 | W 15 | W 14 | W 14 | W 14 | W 16 | W 5 | W 14 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1745 | 1571 | 1344 | 858 | 606 | 489 | 181 | 511 | 436 | 875 | 822 | 726 | 407 | 324 | 236 | 318 | 0 | 146 | 432 | 707 | 1267 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on | off | cross | cross-off | on | on | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 12:18PM3.27m | 00:35AM3.33m | 12:58PM3.14m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:26PM0.10m | 6:50AM0.13m | 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 | ||||||||
7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | |
— | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 |
Feels °C | 2 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 16 | W 15 | W 15 | W 15 | W 15 | W 14 | W 14 | W 13 | W 14 | W 16 | W 16 | W 15 | W 14 | W 14 | W 14 | W 16 | — | W 14 | W 14 | — | — |
1745 | 1571 | 1344 | 858 | 606 | 489 | 181 | 511 | 436 | 875 | 822 | 726 | 407 | 324 | 236 | 318 | — | 146 | 4 | — | — | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NW 15 | WNW 15 | E 5 | W 9 | W 8 | W 5 | W 18 | E 5 | E 4 | WNW 15 | WNW 15 | — | — | — | — | W 14 | — | — | — |
— | — | 58 | 22 | 7 | 38 | 64 | 1 | 99 | 8 | 3 | 23 | 21 | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | W 6 | — | E 4 | W 18 | — | E 13 | E 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 25 | — | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 3 | WNW 3 | WNW 3 | W 4 | W 5 | W 5 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 |
101 | 191 | 186 | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 4 | 3 | 18 | 155 | 46 | 432 | 707 | 1267 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 111 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 4 | 152 | 34 | 34 | 111 | 0 | 4 | 111 | 34 | 111 | 111 | 111 | 152 | 152 | 192 |
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.











