Wharariki Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.51° S 172.67° E

Wharariki Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 08 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Wharariki Beach sea temperature is
14.0°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 8 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 11 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 18s period, W swell with 5,108 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 8 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 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 Tuesday (Sep 08) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 8s. 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 3.0m 18s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 11) 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 1.3m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 10) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Tue 8th Sep)2.5ft (0.8m) 12s
Best Surf12PM (Sat 12th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 16s
Most Powerful 3PM (Fri 11th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 18s

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


The Lowdown

Righto, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks.

To be honest, the start of this run is looking pretty average. There’s some swell rolling in, but it’s messy and the winds are all over the shop. The water temp is sitting at 57°F, which is about normal for this time of year.

The first few days are a bit of a write-off, to be honest. The wind is cross and lumpy, making for poor surf conditions. You’ll see a bit of swell on Tuesday, around 3ft, but the energy is weak (326) and it’s not worth suiting up for. Wednesday follows a similar pattern – a clean morning with 3ft but not enough push, and then the wind gets fresh and choppy in the arvo. Thursday’s still not your day either. Friday sees the swell start to fill in, but it jumps to 8ft with a fresh cross-off wind. There’s a lot of energy behind it (4689) but it’s big and the wind is strong, so it’s going to be a handful.

The weekend is when it starts to get serious. Saturday the swell is still solid at 8ft, strong energy (3684), and clean conditions. But by the afternoon, it’s jumping to 10ft and the wind is hitting 28 mph. The forecast even says it’s too big for the break. This is expert-only territory. Sunday and Monday keep that sizey, powerful west swell, but the strong winds are going to make it a battle. Tuesday the swell backs off a touch, but it’s still cross and messy.

After that lumpy patch, we get a proper pulse mid-week. On Thursday the 17th, the swell model is showing a serious 12ft of west swell with moderate energy (4463). The wind is offshore in the morning, but the sheer size of it will be pushing the limits for everyone. By the afternoon, it's still 10ft but with a gentle cross-shore, which might make it a touch more manageable but still huge.

The following week starts to clean up a bit. The size eases, but the winds are still fresh and cross-off. The standout is shaping up for Wednesday the 23rd. That morning, a light offshore wind from the south meets a solid 6ft of west swell, with a long 17-second period. That’s clean, powerful, and lined up. The energy is strong (2017) and the conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers. This is the one to keep an eye on.

So, overall, there are only a couple of true windows. The big, stormy stuff is for experts only, and honestly, it looks more like a kite-surfing day during some of that strong-wind and big-swell combo. The one to really save your energy for is that Wednesday the 23rd morning session at Wharariki Beach – clean, offshore, with some real groundswell in the water. It’s a bit down the track, so don’t hold your breath, but it's the most promising call in the whole run.

Stay stoked.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Thu night. Very mild (max 13°C on Thu afternoon, min 8°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed morning, strong winds from the W by Wed night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Sun morning, min 10°C on Fri morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Fri night, light winds from the SSW by Sun night).

Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
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
1
0
0
0
1
4
3
0
0
3
!
2
2
2
2
2
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
NW
9
0.9
W
12
0.8
W
10
0.8
W
11
0.9
W
11
1.2
W
11
0.6
W
17
1
W
16
2.2
W
19
2.5
W
18
3
W
18
2.5
W
17
2.5
W
16
3
W
16
2.5
W
16
2.5
W
17
2.5
W
16
1.3
W
16
1.3
W
16
1.9
W
16
1.6
W
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
129
251
133
149
198
342
195
501
3390
4689
5108
3992
3619
4369
3301
3547
3221
827
817
1705
1117
Wind (km/h)
15
W
15
W
25
ESE
15
ESE
25
W
35
W
35
NW
40
WSW
10
NE
30
WSW
45
WSW
50
WSW
30
SW
45
WSW
40
WSW
45
WSW
45
WSW
30
SW
35
WSW
50
WSW
40
WSW
Wind State
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
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
11:10AM3.36m
11:26PM3.39m
11:46AM3.29m
00:02AM3.26m
Low Tide
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
5:02AM-0.06m
5:18PM0.03m
5:38AM0.02m
5:55PM0.14m
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
light rain
cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
cloud
cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:41
6:41
6:39
6:37
6:35
6:33
6:33
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:10
6:12
6:13
6:14
6:15
6:15
6:16
 mm
2
2
7
Temp °C
11
11
11
11
12
12
12
13
9
12
12
12
12
12
12
13
13
12
12
12
12
Feels °C
6
7
8
7
6
5
5
5
6
3
4
2
4
2
4
4
4
6
5
2
3
  • 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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