Wharariki Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.51° S 172.67° E

Wharariki Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 07 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Wharariki Beach sea temperature is
14.1°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 7 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 11 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 19s 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, 3AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 13s 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 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 9s. 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 3.0m 8s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Tue 8th Sep)3.5ft (1.1m) 13s
Best Surf 3AM (Fri 11th Sep)7ft (2.1m) 19s
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

G'day, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's cookin' for Wharariki Beach over the next couple of weeks.

Alright, it's a bit of a slow start for Wharariki Beach. We've got a solid week of pretty ordinary conditions to wade through before things start to get interesting. The first few days are a write-off, with strong winds and messy surf. The water temperature is sitting at 57°, which is a full 2° warmer than usual for this time of year, so that's a bit of a treat.

We're looking at a long, quiet stretch from now until around the 10th of September. The swell is small, and for the most part, the wind is just not playing ball. You'll be sitting on the beach for a few days, that's for sure.

The first real glimmer of hope comes on Thursday morning, the 10th of September. There's a tiny 2ft swell from the west, but it's got a *very* long period of 17 seconds. The combined energy is moderate (475), but with a fresh cross-offshore breeze, it might be enough for a sneaky session on a longboard. It's a bit marginal, but keep an eye on it.

Now, the real standout is shaping up for Friday, the 11th of September. The morning is looking at a solid 8ft west swell with an 18-second period, which is a proper groundswell. The combined energy jumps to a very strong 4391. By the afternoon, it's even bigger at 10ft, and the energy is a massive 5675. The wind is a clean cross-offshore from the WSW. This is going to be a big, powerful day. The swell is over 8ft, so this is for experts only. The long period means it'll be breaking a bit straight on the beach, but the power and the clean wind will make for some serious, heavy barrels. This is the best of the whole run.

The swell hangs around for the next few days, but it's plagued by strong winds. Friday the 18th of September morning is another one to circle. The wind drops to a light breeze from the SSW, keeping it clean, and there's a solid 7ft west swell with a 16-second period and a very strong combined energy of 1958. The conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers, which is exactly what it is. The crowds here are never an issue, so you'll have that power to yourself.

Towards the end of the run, on Sunday the 20th of September, we get a bit of a different flavour. The swell is 8ft from the west, with a very strong energy of 3653. The wind is light from the east, which is a light cross-shore, and the water is glassy. It's a bit on the big side for beginners, but for the experienced crew, it's a solid, clean option.

So, to sum it up: the first week is a bust. The 11th of September and the morning of the 18th of September are your standout sessions. Get out there for the big ones if you've got the nerve.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 12°C on Tue afternoon, min 7°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (gales from the SE on Mon morning, light winds from the NE by Wed morning).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Very mild (max 12°C on Thu morning, min 8°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Thu night, near gales from the WSW by Sat night).

Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
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
1
0
1
0
0
0
2
3
3
0
1
3
0
0
0
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
W
15
1
W
14
1.3
W
14
0.9
NW
9
0.9
W
12
0.9
W
10
0.4
WSW
12
0.5
W
19
1.6
W
18
0.6
W
17
1.1
W
16
1.7
W
19
2.5
W
18
3
W
18
1.7
W
17
2.5
W
16
2.5
W
16
2.4
W
16
2.5
W
16
3
W
16
2.5
W
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
780
416
674
129
251
168
46
184
1579
195
597
2003
4104
5108
1599
3103
3543
2860
3358
4182
3079
Wind (km/h)
65
SE
50
SE
30
ESE
15
W
25
WSW
25
ESE
15
ESE
25
WNW
45
W
35
W
30
SW
25
SE
25
WSW
45
WSW
40
WSW
35
WSW
45
WSW
45
WSW
50
WSW
45
WSW
40
WSW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
6:45PM2.79m
7:20AM2.75m
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
Low Tide
12:23PM0.73m
1:07AM0.63m
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
light rain
mod rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
light rain
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:43
6:41
6:41
6:39
6:37
6:35
6:33
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:09
6:10
6:12
6:13
6:14
6:15
6:15
 mm
5
7
3
3
2
3
Temp °C
9
9
10
11
12
11
11
12
12
12
12
9
11
12
12
12
12
12
13
13
12
Feels °C
-5
0
2
5
7
7
9
6
3
5
6
3
0
1
3
4
2
2
3
3
5
  • 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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