Cobden Beach
West Coast, New Zealand
Beach breakIntermediate
Near Greymouth on New Zealand's West Coast, Cobden Beach sits at the mouth of the Grey River where river silt creates shifting sandbars and Tasman Sea swells create beach break in the heart of the Coal Coast, an authentic New Zealand working town surf experience.
Typical Conditions
The Surf Window
Swell Window
OptimalW (270°)
WindowSSW–NNW (210°–330°)
Size–NW 1.5–2.5m at 12–16s
Wind
NE
Light to E under 15 knots
Tide
Mid tide
LowMidHigh
Season
Apr–Sep
JFMAMJJASOND
The Wave
Type
Beach and river mouth break
Bottom
Sand
Shape
Shifting peaks near the river mouth
Length
50–100m
Skill Level
- •Who it's for: Intermediate surfers
- •Why: River mouth dynamics create interesting shifting sandbars requiring wave reading experience
Hazards
- •Strong river mouth currents especially after rain in the Paparoa Ranges
- •Cold water, 11–15°C
- •Water quality affected by river after heavy rain
Local Tips
- •The Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki (30 minutes north) are extraordinary geological formations
- •The West Coast's greenstone (pounamu) carving tradition is available at Hokitika galleries nearby
- •The Tranz Alpine train from Greymouth to Christchurch crosses Arthur's Pass, one of the world's great train journeys
Location
-42.4500, 171.1833