Whale Watch Reef Surf Break

Lat Long: 42.40° S 173.68° E

Whale Watch Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 08 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Whale Watch Reef sea temperature is
11.4° C
0.6° 

Whale Watch Reef surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Whale Watch Reef surf forecast from 8 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 13 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 7s period, NNE swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 13 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 7s period, NNE swell with 395 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 12 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 5s period with NE swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Whale Watch Reef this week:

The surf forecast for Whale Watch Reef over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 12) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 5s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Whale Watch Reef in the next 16 days are 2.1m 7s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 13) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 10s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 09) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Sun 12th Jul)3.5ft (1.1m) 5s
Best Surf 9PM (Mon 13th Jul)7ft (2.1m) 7s
Most Powerful 9PM (Mon 13th Jul)7ft (2.1m) 7s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whale Watch Reef over the next 16 days.


Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Wed afternoon. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Wed afternoon, min 5°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Wed night, calm by Sat morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Mon afternoon, min 6°C on Sat afternoon). Wind will be generally light.

Wed
8
Thursday
9
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
!
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.4
E
10
2.5
E
10
2.5
E
10
3
ESE
10
2.5
ESE
11
2.5
ESE
11
2
E
10
1.7
E
10
1.5
E
10
1.4
E
10
0.9
SSW
14
0.6
NE
3
1
NE
4
1.2
NNE
5
1.2
NNE
6
1.4
NNE
6
1.2
NE
7
0.6
ENE
6
0.7
ENE
7
0.4
ENE
7
0.4
NE
7
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1254
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
9
34
69
103
160
127
31
42
17
16
Wind (km/h)
20
SSW
35
S
30
SSW
30
SW
20
WSW
15
WSW
15
SSW
10
W
5
WNW
5
ESE
10
N
10
N
10
NE
10
NW
10
NNW
10
N
10
WNW
10
NNW
5
NNE
10
NW
10
WNW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross
glassy
cross
cross-off
High Tide
11:04PM1.86m
11:29AM1.90m
11:56PM1.89m
12:25PM1.98m
00:52AM1.93m
1:22PM2.06m
1:51AM1.97m
2:19PM2.14m
2:51AM2.02m
3:17PM2.20m
3:48AM2.07m
4:14PM2.24m
4:43AM2.10m
Low Tide
4:46PM0.59m
5:21AM0.53m
5:44PM0.58m
6:14AM0.49m
6:45PM0.55m
7:07AM0.44m
7:45PM0.49m
8:01AM0.39m
8:42PM0.41m
8:59AM0.34m
9:39PM0.34m
9:58AM0.29m
10:36PM0.29m
10:57AM0.23m
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:52
7:52
7:52
7:52
7:50
7:50
7:50
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:06
5:07
5:07
5:07
5:08
5:09
5:10
5:10
 mm
12
5
3
1
Temp °C
9
9
8
7
5
8
8
6
8
8
6
9
10
8
12
13
12
13
13
13
14
Feels °C
5
2
1
-1
-1
3
3
2
6
5
3
5
7
5
9
10
10
11
11
9
11
  • 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 Whale Watch Reef Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Whale Watch Reef provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Whale Watch Reef can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Whale Watch Reef 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 (Whale Watch Reef) 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 Whale Watch Reef 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.

Whale Watch Reef is 101 km (63 miles) from the city of Blenheim. If you plan a holiday in Kaikoura and Marlborough, look for hotels and other accommodation in Blenheim. Blenheim has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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