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Catch the Wave!

Waves have a huge impact on Canterbury's coast and coastal waters.  They may be formed by local weather conditions or by weather systems hundreds or even thousands of kilometres away.  Wherever they come from, waves are the driving force behind all the changes we see from day to day on the beaches of Canterbury. 



The Canterbury Wave Buoy

The Canterbury wave buoy is moored in about 76 metres of water, 17 kilometres east of Le Bons Bay, Banks Peninsula at Latitude 43° 45’ South, Longitude 173° 20’ East.  It sends us information about the waves off the coast every half hour.


Find out what the waves are doing today

Wave HeightWave Height
Significant wave height is the average of the largest 33% of waves.

Wave Direction

Wave Timing ("period")
Wave period is the time it takes for a wave to pass the wave buoy.

Wave Direction

Wave Direction
Where the wave comes from, expressed as degrees from North.

Shallow Wave Model

Shallow Water Wave Model
Waves characteristicsLeaving ECan Website as they approach the Canterbury coast shoreline

How the Wave System Works

How the wave buoy system works
How it works: everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask.

 

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