Ward Beach surfForecast / Kaikoura and Marlborough / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 pm Wednesday 31 Dec 2025 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 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 Wednesday (Dec 31) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 8s. 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 1.8m 9s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Dec 31) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Jan 01) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Wed 31st Dec)6ft (1.8m) 9s
Best Surf10PM (Wed 31st Dec)6ft (1.8m) 9s
Most Powerful10PM (Wed 31st Dec)6ft (1.8m) 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 Some drizzle, heaviest during Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu morning, min 14°C on Wed morning). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
31
Thursday
01
Friday
02
Saturday
03
Sunday
04
Monday
05
Tuesday
06
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.9
ESE
1.7
ESE
1.7
ESE
1.2
ESE
0.9
ESE
0.5
SE
0.5
E
0.5
E
0.9
S
1
S
1.2
S
1
S
0.9
S
0.8
S
0.7
S
0.4
SSW
0.5
SSE
0.8
E
0.7
E
0.6
E
0.3
S
Period(s) (?)9988888866577771085668
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)612456409179113353031486179104866451353636402610
Wind
(km/h)
20
S
10
SSE
15
N
35
N
5
SW
5
WNW
15
S
20
SSE
20
S
25
S
25
S
15
S
10
E
20
E
5
SW
10
NNE
20
ENE
20
N
5
NE
10
ESE
15
N
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
glassglasscross-
on
oncross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
glasscross-
on
cross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
3:05PM
1.35
3:38AM
1.47
4:03PM
1.35
4:36AM
1.51
5:02PM
1.35
5:35AM
1.55
6:02PM
1.36
6:34AM
1.58
7:02PM
1.37
7:33AM
1.59
8:00PM
1.38
8:30AM
1.58
8:58PM
1.38
Low Tide
/ height (m)
9:23PM
0.11
10:05AM
0.13
10:23PM
0.09
11:08AM
0.10
11:23PM
0.07
12:10PM
0.07
12:23AM
0.04
1:09PM
0.04
1:22AM
0.02
2:06PM
0.01
2:18AM
-0.00
3:00PM
-0.00
3:12AM
0.00
Wednesday
31
Thursday
01
Friday
02
Saturday
03
Sunday
04
Monday
05
Tuesday
06
Sunrise5:50--5:50--5:52--5:52--5:52--5:54--5:54--
Sunset-9:00--9:00--9:00--9:00--9:00--9:00--9:00-
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
-------1-------------
Temp. °C151516191916161614141414151514171817191917
Feels °C (?)12131213201714141010910121113141515181917
  • 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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