Ward Beach surfForecast / Kaikoura and Marlborough / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Monday 09 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
15.5° C
(Which is slightly cooler than normal)

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 Wednesday (Mar 11) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Ward Beach in the next 12 days are 2.1m 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Mar 15) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Mar 12) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Wed 11th Mar)3.5ft (1.1m) 12s
Best Surf10AM (Sun 15th Mar)7ft (2.1m) 12s
Most Powerful10AM (Sun 15th Mar)7ft (2.1m) 12s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu morning, min 11°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Mon afternoon, calm by Tue night).

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

Mon
09
Tuesday
10
Wednesday
11
Thursday
12
Friday
13
Saturday
14
Sunday
15
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
2
2
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
0
1
4
1
3
2
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
2.2
S
1.5
S
0.9
S
0.9
S
1.1
S
1
S
0.7
S
1.3
ENE
0.6
SSE
0.7
SE
0.9
SE
1.1
SE
1.2
SE
1.1
SE
1.1
SE
1
SE
0.9
SE
2.1
S
1.5
S
1.3
S
1.2
S
Period(s) (?)771413121111610121214131313121212131615
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)466217293272344260116111631422024655094244183012021271764836619
Wind
(km/h)
35
S
25
SSW
15
SSE
10
SE
0
WNW
0
N
10
ENE
10
N
30
N
40
N
35
NNW
30
N
35
N
10
SSE
10
N
10
ESE
10
WSW
5
N
25
NNE
5
W
10
NNE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
cross-
on
ononglassglasscross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
oncross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
glasscross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
11:17PM
1.38
11:39AM
1.30
12:00AM
1.37
12:21PM
1.26
12:42AM
1.35
1:04PM
1.23
1:26AM
1.32
1:48PM
1.20
2:11AM
1.30
2:33PM
1.17
2:59AM
1.28
3:22PM
1.15
3:49AM
1.28
Low Tide
/ height (m)
5:32AM
0.18
5:45PM
0.20
6:14AM
0.22
6:25PM
0.24
6:57AM
0.26
7:07PM
0.28
7:42AM
0.29
7:51PM
0.30
8:30AM
0.32
8:38PM
0.31
9:22AM
0.33
9:31PM
0.31
10:16AM
0.32
Mon
09
Tuesday
10
Wednesday
11
Thursday
12
Friday
13
Saturday
14
Sunday
15
Sunrise--7:13--7:13--7:15--7:16--7:16--7:18--7:20
Sunset7:54--7:52--7:51--7:50--7:47--7:45--7:45--
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
part cloud
clear
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
2---------1--2-------
Temp. °C121213131214151519211820221917181617171718
Feels °C (?)56991011121412131116171812161412121615
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder

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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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