
Surf Forecasts:
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 Type | Time (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 ForecastHeavy 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 SummaryMostly 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 | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 14 | NE 3 | NE 4 | NNE 5 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | NE 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1254 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 34 | 69 | 103 | 160 | 127 | 31 | 42 | 17 | 16 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | 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 | |||||||
— | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | |
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 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | NE 5 | NE 6 | S 13 | NE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ESE 12 |
1254 | 1209 | 1430 | 1682 | 1689 | 1503 | 867 | 586 | 440 | 400 | 231 | 144 | 110 | 35 | 38 | 86 | 127 | 31 | 42 | 17 | 48 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | S 20 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | S 16 | SSW 10 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 11 | E 9 | E 9 | ESE 8 | SSW 12 | NNE 6 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | NE 7 |
96 | 85 | 169 | 30 | 189 | 395 | 122 | 75 | 318 | 337 | 346 | 236 | 128 | 56 | 39 | 24 | 31 | 6 | 10 | 17 | 16 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 18 | — | S 21 | — | SSW 18 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | S 9 | S 9 | — | — | SSW 15 | S 11 | SSW 10 | — | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | NNE 5 | E 13 | ESE 15 |
24 | — | 35 | — | 104 | 184 | 135 | 74 | 81 | 56 | — | — | 44 | 82 | 31 | — | 15 | 9 | 2 | 14 | 43 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 6 | S 7 | S 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 6 | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | S 5 | — | — | — | NE 3 | NE 4 | NNE 5 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | — | — | — | — | — |
92 | 527 | 554 | 532 | 151 | 61 | 85 | 24 | — | — | — | 9 | 34 | 69 | 103 | 160 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 145 | 145 | 145 | 145 | 61 | 9 | 19 | 9 | 9 | 88 | 9 | 9 | 25 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 9 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Kaikoura and Marlborough | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











