Ward Beach surfForecast / Kaikoura and Marlborough / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Sunday 08 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 0.1m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m and 7s is also forecast. 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 2.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Mar 14) at 7AM. 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 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)5ft (1.5m) 12s
Most Powerful 7AM (Sat 14th Mar)6.5ft (2.0m) 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 4mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Warm (max 20°C on Sun afternoon, min 11°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the S on Mon morning, calm by Tue night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Warm (max 23°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed night, strong winds from the S by Fri night).

Sun
08
Monday
09
Tuesday
10
Wednesday
11
Thursday
12
Friday
13
Saturday
14
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
0
2
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
2
1
3
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.4
SSW
0.6
S
1.7
S
1.8
S
0.7
S
0.9
S
1.2
S
1.1
S
0.9
S
0.7
S
1.2
ENE
0.9
SSE
1
SSE
1.4
SE
1.4
SSE
1.2
SE
1.1
SE
0.9
SSE
0.9
SE
0.7
SE
1.5
S
Period(s) (?)141467151413121111612111313131212121112
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)7015019130220929348034420311694235261721640501358260209133650
Wind
(km/h)
25
NNE
20
SSW
35
S
35
S
20
S
15
SSE
15
ESE
5
NNW
5
ENE
10
E
15
N
25
N
35
N
35
NNW
30
N
25
N
20
SSW
30
S
0
ENE
0
NW
0
N
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
ononglassglasscross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
glassglassglass
High Tide
/ height (m)
10:34PM
1.39
10:56AM
1.33
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
Low Tide
/ height (m)
4:50AM
0.14
5:05PM
0.16
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
Sun
08
Monday
09
Tuesday
10
Wednesday
11
Thursday
12
Friday
13
Saturday
14
Sunrise--7:11--7:13--7:13--7:15--7:16--7:16--7:18
Sunset7:55--7:54--7:52--7:51--7:50--7:47--7:45--
clear
part cloud
light rain
light rain
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
--22----------3131---
Temp. °C201813121213131314151519231717181715181518
Feels °C (?)1718656991112121412161014151813171314
  • 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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