
Surf Forecasts:
Whites Bay surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 23s period, SSE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 19s period, SSE swell with 2,010 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 23s period with SSE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Whites Bay this week:
The surf forecast for Whites Bay over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 23s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 14s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Whites Bay in the next 16 days are 1.7m 19s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 5s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 23s |
| Best Surf | 12PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 23s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whites Bay over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Sat afternoon, min 5°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Thu afternoon, min 5°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 14 | SSE 23 | SSE 21 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | SSE 15 | SSE 19 | SSE 19 | SSE 16 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | S 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
515 | 1313 | 1103 | 421 | 395 | 284 | 379 | 2010 | 1012 | 571 | 444 | 240 | 156 | 112 | 56 | 31 | 16 | 25 | 20 | 31 | 53 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | on | on | cross-on | on | glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | cross |
High Tide | 9:11AM1.71m | 9:36PM1.75m | 10:08AM1.68m | 10:32PM1.69m | 11:02AM1.66m | 11:27PM1.64m | 11:55AM1.63m | 00:20AM1.60m | 12:46PM1.62m | 1:10AM1.56m | 1:38PM1.61m | 1:59AM1.53m | 2:28PM1.60m | 2:48AM1.51m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:18PM0.18m | 3:52AM0.24m | 4:11PM0.26m | 4:45AM0.30m | 5:06PM0.35m | 5:39AM0.36m | 6:03PM0.44m | 6:32AM0.41m | 7:01PM0.51m | 7:23AM0.47m | 7:58PM0.56m | 8:10AM0.51m | 8:51PM0.58m | ||||||||
7:43 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | |
— | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 5 |
Temp °C | 11 | 12 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 7 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 9 |
Feels °C | 9 | 9 | 5 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 5 | 9 | 10 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 10 | 11 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 14 | SSE 23 | SSE 21 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 19 | SSE 16 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | NNE 5 |
515 | 1313 | 1103 | 421 | 395 | 158 | 132 | 2010 | 1012 | 571 | 444 | 240 | 156 | 112 | 56 | 31 | 16 | 25 | 20 | 31 | 15 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | SSE 4 | ESE 12 | SSE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SE 11 | ESE 13 |
57 | 487 | 347 | 273 | 215 | 284 | 204 | 93 | 51 | 48 | 48 | 32 | 11 | 11 | 3 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 5 | 17 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 24 | S 8 | NNW 4 | SSE 21 | SSE 21 | ESE 12 | SSE 19 | ESE 12 | — | — | — | N 3 | — | S 13 | ESE 10 | SE 13 | ESE 11 | S 8 | S 12 | SE 13 | S 16 |
286 | 33 | 5 | 89 | 88 | 131 | 379 | 94 | — | — | — | 1 | — | 3 | 10 | 7 | 12 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 5 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SSE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 4 | SSW 2 | S 4 | — | NNW 2 | N 3 | NNW 3 | NNW 3 | N 3 | S 9 |
— | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 1 | 8 | — | 1 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 11 | 53 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 59 | 84 | 84 | 59 | 59 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 84 | 0 | 51 | 59 | 104 | 105 | 55 | 57 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Kaikoura and Marlborough | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Whites Bay Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Whites Bay provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Whites Bay can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Whites Bay 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 (Whites Bay) 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 Whites Bay 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.
Whites Bay is 16 km (10 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.










