Wharariki Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.51° S 172.67° E

Wharariki Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 21 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Wharariki Beach sea temperature is
14.5° C
1.0° 

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 21 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 12s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 16s period, W swell with 4,481 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 22 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 12s period with WSW 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 Wednesday (Jul 22) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 6s. 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 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) 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 2.2m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 26) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Wed 22nd Jul)1.5ft (0.4m) 12s
Best Surf12PM (Sat 25th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 12s
Most Powerful 6PM (Sat 25th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 16s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s on the table for the next couple of weeks.

We’re looking at a slow start, no lie. The first few days are a write-off with strong winds and messy conditions, so don’t bother paddling out until later in the week. The first real breath of life comes on Saturday the 25th, but it’s a tricky one. We’ve got a solid 10ft swell from the west rolling in, and the combined energy is through the roof at 1467 – that’s a lot of power. The wind is cross-off and clean, but this swell is too big for a spot like Wharariki Beach. It’s an exposed beach break, and with that much juice, it’s strictly for experts. If you’re not in that bracket, stay on the sand.

The real standout window opens up Monday the 27th. The morning sees a 4ft west swell with a 12-second period, and the wind is light offshore from the SSW. That’s the kind of glassy, clean setup that’ll have you smiling. Water temp is sitting at 58°, which is a touch warmer than usual for this time of year – nothing extreme, but you might not need the thickest wetsuit. The combined energy is moderate (513). This is the pick of the first week for a solid, surfable session.

Then we get another big pulse on Thursday the 30th. The morning brings a 6ft swell from the NNW, but it’s a short period (7 seconds) which means it’ll be a bit crumbly and fat. Still, with a slight air and cross-off wind, it’s clean and rideable. The energy is strong (800). The following morning, Friday the 31st, is the standout of the entire outlook. A 6ft west swell with a long 15-second period, light cross-off breeze, and the combined energy is 1640. The conditions are excellent for experienced surfers – the long period means the waves will have good shape and power, but it’ll be a bit shifty at the beach, so pick your peak wisely.

After that, the first week of August is a bit of a mixed bag. Saturday the 1st has a solid 6ft swell, but it’s a bit wind-affected. Sunday the 2nd sees another 12ft monster from the west, but again, too big for this break. The real gem in the second week is Monday the 3rd of August. Morning session has a 8ft west swell with a 13-second period, light offshore wind, and the combined energy is a massive 2057. This is excellent, powerful surf for experienced surfers only. The afternoon gets a bit cross-chop, so make the most of the morning.

So, to wrap it up: the best days on offer are Monday the 27th of July for a clean, fun session, and Friday the 31st of July for the best mix of size and shape. The long-range standout on Monday the 3rd of August is promising but a bit further out, so keep an eye on it. The rest of the window is a mix of onshore slop and swell that’s just too big for the beach. Stay keen.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Fri morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu afternoon, min 10°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed night, strong winds from the NW by Thu night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 12°C on Fri night, min 7°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the ESE on Sun afternoon, calm by Mon morning).

Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
4
0
0
3
3
2
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
W
12
0.4
WSW
12
0.4
WSW
12
0.9
W
14
1.1
W
14
1.3
W
13
0.6
W
13
2.5
NW
8
2.3
NW
8
0.9
W
17
1.6
W
17
2.5
W
12
2.4
W
16
1.8
W
14
1.8
W
14
1.7
W
13
1.5
W
12
1.3
W
12
1
W
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
77
47
47
329
436
590
116
796
684
459
1491
1784
2756
1373
1335
1003
670
472
273
Wind (km/h)
25
SW
20
SW
20
WSW
5
SSE
25
W
35
W
40
NW
40
NNW
30
WNW
35
WSW
50
SW
45
WSW
5
S
50
ESE
55
ESE
10
E
10
SSE
5
NNE
10
S
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
glassy
off
High Tide
3:27AM2.72m
4:01PM2.60m
4:22AM2.55m
5:00PM2.50m
5:25AM2.44m
6:06PM2.47m
6:32AM2.42m
7:10PM2.52m
7:34AM2.48m
8:05PM2.63m
8:26AM2.59m
8:53PM2.77m
Low Tide
9:18PM0.70m
9:46AM0.70m
10:13PM0.87m
10:42AM0.85m
11:15PM0.99m
11:45AM0.93m
00:22AM1.02m
12:49PM0.93m
1:25AM0.96m
1:47PM0.85m
2:19AM0.85m
2:37PM0.73m
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
mod rain
thunderstorm
light rain
part cloud
clear
heavy rain
light rain
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:43
7:43
7:43
7:41
7:41
7:39
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:27
5:27
5:28
5:29
5:30
5:30
 mm
4
9
5
3
11
2
1
Temp °C
10
12
13
12
13
14
14
13
14
12
11
11
10
9
9
9
8
9
9
Feels °C
4
9
10
10
7
7
7
5
8
9
1
1
4
-2
-4
3
6
6
6
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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