Whites Bay surfForecast / Kaikoura and Marlborough / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 pm Wednesday 20 May 2026 NZST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Whites Bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Whites Bay sea temperature is
12.7° C
(Which is slightly cooler than normal)

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 Sunday (May 24) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 4s. 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 1.0m 18s and forecast to arrive on Monday (May 25) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (May 27) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3PM (Sun 24th May)2.5ft (0.7m) 15s
Best Surf12AM (Mon 25th May)3.5ft (1.0m) 18s
Most Powerful12AM (Mon 25th May)3.5ft (1.0m) 18s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whites Bay over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu morning, min 10°C on Wed afternoon). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNW on Thu morning, calm by Fri morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Tue morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 10°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Wed
20
Thursday
21
Friday
22
Saturday
23
Sunday
24
Monday
25
Tuesday
26
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
1
3
2
1
2
2
1
1
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)
0.2
SSE
9
0.1
E
13
0.1
E
13
0.1
S
13
0.2
SSE
11
0.6
S
5
0.6
SSE
5
0.3
S
13
0.4
S
12
0.3
SSE
12
0.5
S
9
0.6
SSE
14
0.7
SSE
15
1
SSE
18
1
S
14
1
S
14
1
SSE
13
1
SSE
12
0.9
SSE
12
0.7
SSE
11
0.4
SSE
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
8
3
4
3
12
20
19
29
48
28
42
163
222
716
423
372
356
323
250
123
33
Wind (km/h)
20
NNW
15
NW
20
NNW
20
NW
5
S
5
SSE
5
NW
10
WNW
5
SE
5
SE
10
S
10
SSW
5
SE
10
WNW
10
NW
15
NNW
10
NW
10
NNW
10
NNE
10
N
5
NNE
off
off
off
off
glassy
glassy
off
off
glassy
on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
9:28PM1.88m
10:02AM1.74m
10:25PM1.82m
10:58AM1.71m
11:22PM1.75m
11:51AM1.67m
00:20AM1.68m
12:44PM1.63m
1:14AM1.63m
1:37PM1.58m
2:06AM1.59m
2:31PM1.56m
2:57AM1.56m
Low Tide
3:09PM0.22m
3:49AM0.25m
4:06PM0.23m
4:45AM0.27m
5:03PM0.25m
5:41AM0.30m
5:59PM0.29m
6:36AM0.34m
6:54PM0.35m
7:31AM0.37m
7:49PM0.41m
8:22AM0.40m
8:46PM0.46m
9:10AM0.43m
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
light rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
mod rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:30
7:31
7:31
7:33
7:33
7:35
7:35
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:09
5:08
5:07
5:07
5:07
5:06
5:06
5:05
1
28
57
10
Temp °C
14
12
15
15
14
11
13
12
12
12
12
13
14
12
15
16
13
13
13
15
15
10
8
10
11
12
10
12
10
11
11
10
11
13
10
12
12
11
12
12
15
15
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
SSE
9
0.1
SE
8
0.1
S
10
0.1
S
10
0.3
NNW
3
0.6
S
5
0.6
SSE
5
0.3
S
9
0.4
S
12
0.3
SSE
12
0.3
SSE
14
0.6
SSE
14
0.7
SSE
15
1
SSE
18
1
S
14
1
S
14
1
SSE
13
1
SSE
12
0.9
SSE
12
0.7
SSE
11
0.4
SSE
10
Energy kJ
8
3
2
2
2
16
19
14
48
28
38
163
222
716
423
372
356
323
250
123
33
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
E
14
0.1
E
13
0.1
E
13
0.1
E
12
0.2
SSE
11
0.3
SSE
10
0.3
SSE
9
0.3
S
13
0.1
SE
4
0.3
S
9
0.1
SE
11
0.4
S
9
0.4
ESE
4
0.4
ESE
4
0.2
E
5
0.2
ENE
10
0.1
SE
16
0.2
ENE
10
0.2
ENE
10
0.2
ENE
10
0.1
S
18
Energy kJ
4
3
3
3
12
20
17
29
1
14
5
24
6
6
2
10
10
10
9
9
7
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
S
14
0.1
N
6
0.1
S
13
0.1
S
13
0.1
S
9
0.1
S
16
0.1
S
16
0.3
SE
4
0.1
SE
12
0.1
E
12
0.1
N
10
0.1
N
16
0.2
ENE
10
0.1
NE
6
0.2
ENE
10
0.1
S
15
Energy kJ
4
1
4
3
1
5
5
3
5
3
2
5
11
1
9
4
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
N
4
0.8
NNW
4
0.9
NNW
4
0.8
NNW
4
0.4
SSW
3
0.3
N
2
0.3
S
3
0.4
SSE
4
0.5
S
9
0.4
ESE
4
0.4
N
3
0.7
N
4
0.4
NNW
3
0.4
NW
3
0.7
N
4
0.5
NNW
3
0.7
N
4
Energy kJ
18
16
21
20
3
1
2
4
42
5
2
12
4
2
12
7
12
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
3
2
3
2
2
1
1
2
Distance (km)
116
105
68
68
55
55
55
51
55
55
59
51
0
0
0
84
0
0
0
0
59
Best forecast wave conditions in Kaikoura and Marlborough
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
3
1
4
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
2
2
4
4
4
3
4
3
8
4
5
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
5
4
5
5
7
6
5
5
8
5
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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 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.

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