Ward Beach surfForecast / Kaikoura and Marlborough / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Monday 23 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
14.8° 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 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Mar 23) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 5s. Another secondary swell of 1.1m and 5s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Ward Beach in the next 16 days are 3.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Mar 27) at 7PM. 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 Saturday (Mar 28) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Mon 23rd Mar)3ft (0.9m) 10s
Best Surf 7PM (Fri 27th Mar)10ft (3.0m) 9s
Most Powerful 7PM (Fri 27th Mar)10ft (3.0m) 9s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue afternoon, min 14°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 22mm), heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 23°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNE on Fri morning, calm by Sat night).

Mon
23
Tuesday
24
Wednesday
25
Thursday
26
Friday
27
Saturday
28
Sunday
29
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
2
1
1
1
0
1
2
0
2
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.9
ESE
0.7
SE
0.6
ESE
0.5
SE
0.4
ESE
0.4
ESE
0.4
ESE
0.4
ESE
1.1
E
1.6
E
2
E
2.3
ENE
2.3
ENE
1.8
E
1.4
E
1.2
E
1.4
E
1.3
E
1.3
ESE
1.2
ESE
1.1
ESE
Period(s) (?)10109914131312668999991012121211
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)1759855398167635583215535772791533327235354480486418303
Wind
(km/h)
15
ENE
15
N
10
NNW
15
NNE
5
NW
10
S
15
S
10
S
15
ENE
5
N
20
NNE
25
NNE
30
N
35
N
25
NNW
5
N
15
SSW
15
N
25
N
30
NNW
30
N
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offcross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
glasscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offcross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
10:16PM
1.54
10:43AM
1.44
11:08PM
1.56
11:34AM
1.42
12:00AM
1.56
12:27PM
1.39
12:54AM
1.53
1:20PM
1.35
1:48AM
1.49
2:16PM
1.31
2:44AM
1.44
3:12PM
1.28
3:41AM
1.40
Low Tide
/ height (m)
4:38AM
-0.01
4:55PM
0.01
5:29AM
0.00
5:44PM
0.02
6:22AM
0.03
6:36PM
0.06
7:16AM
0.08
7:31PM
0.10
8:13AM
0.12
8:28PM
0.14
9:13AM
0.16
9:29PM
0.17
10:13AM
0.18
Mon
23
Tuesday
24
Wednesday
25
Thursday
26
Friday
27
Saturday
28
Sunday
29
Sunrise--7:28--7:30--7:31--7:31--7:33--7:33--7:35
Sunset7:30--7:29--7:28--7:25--7:23--7:22--7:21--
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
mod rain
heavy rain
light rain
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
Rain (mm)
---------7123---------
Temp. °C181718191716161516151516171721231919211821
Feels °C (?)141315171714141314151210131318221716171417
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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