Ward Beach surfForecast / Kaikoura and Marlborough / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 pm Saturday 31 Jan 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
16.5° 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 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jan 31) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 9s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Ward Beach in the next 12 days are 3.5m 9s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Feb 04) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.4m 7s period and expected on Monday (Feb 02) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4PM (Sat 31st Jan)2.5ft (0.8m) 9s
Best Surf 4PM (Tue 3rd Feb)11ft (3.5m) 8s
Most Powerful 1AM (Wed 4th Feb)11ft (3.5m) 9s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Ward Beach over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Mon morning, min 14°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun morning, strong winds from the N by Mon afternoon).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue morning, min 12°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Tue night, calm by Wed night).

Saturday
31
Sunday
01
Monday
02
Tuesday
03
Wednesday
04
Thursday
05
Friday
06
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
!
0
0
0
2
2
0
0
1
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.9
S
0.8
S
0.7
S
0.9
S
0.9
S
0.6
S
0.5
S
0.5
S
0.5
S
0.8
SSW
3.5
SSW
3.5
S
2.5
SSE
1.9
SSE
1.2
SE
1.1
ESE
0.9
ESE
0.7
S
0.5
S
0.5
SSE
0.4
SSE
Period(s) (?)109913121112111110899888810101110
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)15411379289251857364551311462238792947717313892102486433
Wind
(km/h)
15
N
10
NNE
10
SSW
5
SSE
25
NE
30
N
35
N
45
N
30
NNW
35
NNW
15
SSW
40
SSW
30
S
20
SSE
0
ENE
15
NNE
20
NE
25
N
5
NE
10
NNE
15
SSW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
glasscrosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
crosscross-
on
onglasscross-
off
crosscross-
off
glasscross-
off
cross
High Tide
/ height (m)
4:41PM
1.32
5:15AM
1.50
5:42PM
1.32
6:15AM
1.51
6:41PM
1.32
7:13AM
1.51
7:40PM
1.33
8:10AM
1.50
8:36PM
1.34
9:03AM
1.48
9:30PM
1.36
9:54AM
1.45
10:20PM
1.36
Low Tide
/ height (m)
10:49AM
0.14
11:03PM
0.10
11:51AM
0.12
12:05AM
0.08
12:50PM
0.10
1:03AM
0.06
1:46PM
0.07
1:59AM
0.05
2:38PM
0.05
2:53AM
0.05
3:27PM
0.04
3:43AM
0.06
4:14PM
0.06
Saturday
31
Sunday
01
Monday
02
Tuesday
03
Wednesday
04
Thursday
05
Friday
06
Sunrise6:24--6:26--6:26--6:28--6:30--6:31--6:33--
Sunset-8:46--8:45--8:45--8:43--8:42--8:40--8:39-
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
mod rain
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
----------9----------
Temp. °C181816161716232218181414141413151717181916
Feels °C (?)1517151614121514141111691012111214171814
  • 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 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 12 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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