Ward Beach surfForecast / Kaikoura and Marlborough / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Monday 30 Mar 2026 NZDT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Ward Beach surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Ward Beach sea temperature is
15.0° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Ward Beach this week:

The surf forecast for Ward Beach over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Mar 31) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Ward Beach in the next 16 days are 3.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Mar 31) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 6s period and expected on Friday (Apr 03) at 10PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Tue 31st Mar)3ft (0.9m) 11s
Best Surf 4AM (Wed 1st Apr)6ft (1.9m) 12s
Most Powerful 4PM (Tue 31st Mar)11ft (3.5m) 14s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu morning, min 11°C on Tue morning). Mainly strong winds.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Warm (max 22°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the N on Fri afternoon, light winds from the SE by Sun morning).

Mon
30
Tuesday
31
Wednesday
01
Thursday
02
Friday
03
Saturday
04
Sunday
05
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
2
0
0
3
3
2
3
3
2
3
1
0
2
1
1
0
1
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.9
ESE
0.9
ESE
1.7
S
3.5
S
2.2
S
1.7
S
1.5
S
1.6
S
1.5
S
1.4
S
1.8
S
1.7
S
1.4
S
1.1
S
0.8
S
0.6
S
0.7
S
1.6
S
1.5
S
1.9
SE
2.5
S
Period(s) (?)1111514131111141212151312121111106677
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)2101791664457158369855394268954414899715653241518294194171323750
Wind
(km/h)
20
S
5
NNW
40
S
30
S
10
SSW
10
NE
15
ENE
5
NNW
15
N
25
NNE
15
N
25
N
40
N
15
NW
20
NNW
25
NNW
15
SW
10
SSW
20
SE
30
SSW
40
SSW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
glasscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offoffoffcrosscross-
on
oncross-
on
cross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
4:10PM
1.26
4:38AM
1.36
5:07PM
1.26
5:34AM
1.33
6:03PM
1.27
6:28AM
1.32
6:55PM
1.30
7:20AM
1.31
7:45PM
1.34
8:09AM
1.31
8:32PM
1.37
8:55AM
1.31
9:17PM
1.39
9:40AM
1.30
Low Tide
/ height (m)
10:31PM
0.19
11:12AM
0.18
11:32PM
0.19
12:07PM
0.18
12:28AM
0.18
12:57PM
0.16
1:21AM
0.16
1:44PM
0.16
2:09AM
0.15
2:28PM
0.15
2:55AM
0.14
3:10PM
0.16
3:39AM
0.15
Mon
30
Tuesday
31
Wednesday
01
Thursday
02
Friday
03
Saturday
04
Sunday
05
Sunrise--7:35--7:37--7:39--7:39--7:41--7:41--7:43
Sunset7:19--7:16--7:15--7:14--7:12--7:10--7:08--
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
light rain
mod rain
heavy rain
light rain
light rain
Rain (mm)
--2-------------171632
Temp. °C161511111112121418191719201521221413131312
Feels °C (?)13113589811131413121211161712121094
  • 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 Ward Beach Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Ward Beach provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Ward Beach can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Ward 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 (Ward 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 Ward 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.

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