Surf Forecasts:
Wharariki Beach surf forecast from 3 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 4 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 14s period, W swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 4 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 17s period, W swell with 3,161 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 4 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 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 Tuesday (Aug 04) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 14s 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 2.4m 17s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 04) 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 0.8m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Tue 4th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Tue 4th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Tue 4th Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Wharariki Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk Wharariki Beach in feet and miles per hour. The first few days are a washout. Monday, 3 August, has a 8ft west swell, but the wind is a brutal 31 mph cross-off, making it unsurfable. Just forget it.
Tuesday morning, 4 August, is the first glimmer. Swell drops to 4ft from the west, with a long 16-second period – that’s proper groundswell. Wind is 12 mph cross-off, and the water is 57°, which is about average for the season. The combined energy is moderate (1087), and it’s clean enough to get a few waves. It’s not firing, but it’s a start.
The rest of that first week is small and messy. Thursday morning, 6 August, has a tiny 1ft swell and light wind, but it’s barely a ripple. Friday and Saturday see a bump in size, but the wind is onshore and the period is short (8 seconds), so it’s choppy and horrible.
The biggest day of the whole outlook is Wednesday, 12 August. Wharariki gets a 5ft west swell with a 16-second period, and the combined energy is huge (1790). You’d think it’s a dream, but the wind is screaming from the east at 31 mph, cross-shore. On a beach break, that’s just a mess. It’s more of a kite-surfing day than a paddle-surfing day. Stay out of the water.
The real winner is Tuesday morning, 18 August. Swell is 5ft from the west-northwest, with a 11-second period, and the wind is offshore from the southwest at 9 mph – light and clean. The combined energy is moderate (547), and the waves will be clean and hollow. Crowds are never an issue, so you’ll have the place to yourself. That’s your session.
After that, the wind picks up again, and the conditions go downhill. So, circle the 18th on your calendar. It’s the best of the bunch.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Mon afternoon, min 7°C on Tue afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Mon afternoon, calm by Thu morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Fri night. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri night, min 9°C on Thu afternoon). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNW on Fri afternoon, light winds from the WSW by Fri night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | ||||||||||||||
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 15 | W 14 | W 13 | W 13 | W 12 | WSW 14 | W 13 | W 12 | W 14 | WNW 8 | NW 9 | NW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | W 18 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 4203 | 3161 | 605 | 1212 | 682 | 280 | 166 | 112 | 66 | 55 | 26 | 37 | 184 | 651 | 450 | 300 | 330 | 313 | 256 | 216 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross | on | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 1:10AM3.14m | 1:34PM2.98m | 1:51AM3.04m | 2:19PM2.89m | 2:40AM2.91m | 3:13PM2.79m | 3:38AM2.77m | 4:18PM2.71m | 4:50AM2.68m | 5:35PM2.70m | 6:09AM2.68m | 6:51PM2.81m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:02PM0.33m | 7:27AM0.29m | 7:43PM0.43m | 8:11AM0.39m | 8:31PM0.55m | 9:01AM0.52m | 9:28PM0.68m | 10:02AM0.64m | 10:37PM0.77m | 11:14AM0.70m | 11:56PM0.76m | 12:31PM0.65m | 1:12AM0.63m | |||||||
 |  | |  |  |  | | | | | |  |  |  | | | | | |  | |
 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — |
 | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — |
mm | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 8 | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 13 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 |
Feels °C | 3 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 18 | WNW 17 | W 10 | W 15 | W 14 | W 13 | W 13 | W 12 | WSW 14 | W 13 | WSW 4 | WNW 8 | W 14 | W 13 | NW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 |
| kJ | 31 | 29 | 431 | 1212 | 682 | 280 | 166 | 112 | 66 | 55 | 5 | 35 | 15 | 14 | 450 | 300 | 330 | 313 | 256 | 113 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 10 | WNW 11 | W 16 | WNW 15 | E 4 | W 18 | W 16 | W 15 | W 8 | W 7 | W 12 | W 14 | N 11 | W 19 | W 19 | W 18 | W 8 | W 18 | W 10 | W 9 |
| kJ | 4 | 11 | 605 | 22 | 10 | 25 | 46 | 40 | 10 | 9 | 26 | 37 | 2 | 7 | 63 | 97 | 33 | 150 | 64 | 58 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | E 4 | NW 6 | W 18 | N 14 | E 4 | E 4 | — | W 21 | W 7 | W 19 | — | — | W 12 | W 12 | W 18 | W 8 | W 14 | W 18 |
| kJ | — | — | 1 | 1 | 25 | 4 | 1 | 1 | — | 34 | 4 | 7 | — | — | 12 | 11 | 166 | 30 | 134 | 216 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 18 | W 17 | E 5 | E 6 | SE 4 | ESE 4 | — | — | SSE 3 | — | — | WNW 3 | WNW 8 | NW 9 | — | — | SE 3 | SSE 4 | SE 4 | ESE 3 |
| kJ | 4203 | 3161 | 51 | 60 | 20 | 6 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 184 | 651 | — | — | 4 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 196 | 188 | 4 | 111 | 0 | 7 | 162 | 0 | 0 | 111 | 34 | 34 | 111 | 98 | 4 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 111 | 20 |
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.
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