Ward Beach surfForecast / Kaikoura and Marlborough / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 pm Sunday 29 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 Monday (Mar 30) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Ward Beach in the next 16 days are 4.0m 13s 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 1.7m 6s period and expected on Friday (Apr 03) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Mon 30th Mar)3.5ft (1.1m) 12s
Best Surf 4AM (Wed 1st Apr)7ft (2.1m) 12s
Most Powerful 4PM (Tue 31st Mar)13ft (4.0m) 13s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Some drizzle, heaviest during Tue morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun morning, min 11°C on Tue morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Mon night, calm by Tue night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 11°C on Wed morning). Winds increasing (calm on Wed morning, fresh winds from the N by Fri afternoon).

Sunday
29
Monday
30
Tuesday
31
Wednesday
01
Thursday
02
Friday
03
Saturday
04
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
2
0
2
0
0
3
3
2
3
3
1
2
2
0
2
1
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.2
ESE
1.2
ESE
1.1
ESE
0.9
ESE
0.9
ESE
0.9
ESE
2.5
S
4
S
2.3
S
1.8
S
1.6
S
1.8
S
1.7
S
1.6
S
1.4
S
1.6
S
1.4
SSE
1.1
S
0.9
SSE
0.7
S
0.5
S
Period(s) (?)12121211111171313111113131212131312111110
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)43943934922118617967250981729811641111094673852085165934720211251
Wind
(km/h)
15
N
15
NNW
25
NNW
10
NW
20
S
15
N
40
S
30
S
10
S
0
ENE
15
NE
5
NNW
10
N
25
NNE
20
N
25
N
35
N
20
NW
5
WNW
15
NE
15
NW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
offoffoffcross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
glasscrosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offcross-
off
crossoff
High Tide
/ height (m)
3:12PM
1.28
3:41AM
1.40
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
Low Tide
/ height (m)
9:29PM
0.17
10:13AM
0.18
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
Sunday
29
Monday
30
Tuesday
31
Wednesday
01
Thursday
02
Friday
03
Saturday
04
Sunrise7:33--7:35--7:35--7:37--7:39--7:39--7:41--
Sunset-7:21--7:19--7:16--7:15--7:14--7:12--7:10-
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
Rain (mm)
------1--------------
Temp. °C191918181514111111121214181917181916181816
Feels °C (?)1718141712132479811131313111212161513
  • 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 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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