Metservice – https://www.metservice.com/marine has a number of pages providing weather forecasting and tidal information.  There is also a kayaking page (https://www.metservice.com/marine/kayaking) providing more relevant information for kayakers

Nowcasting – Weather forecasts and other useful information such as tide times are broadcast by Coastguard’s Nowcasting service on dedicated VHF channels at many popular boating areas. Link to Nowcasting map showing location and VHF channel.   << https://www.coastguard.nz/media/418731/coastguard-nowcasting-weather-channels-a4-25-1-19.pdf>>

Maritime Radio – broadcasts on the VHF network weather forecast information.  Listen CH 16 for the announcement and then move to the frequency for your area.

Windy – provides a lot of graphic information forecasting up to a week in advance.

Predictwind.com – requires you to establish a login to the service.  Only basic information is available at the free level.

Wherever you obtain the weather and sea condition information, it is what you can observe that can help determine whether or not to head out.  If the wind is offshore and predicted to strengthen then it is better to stay on shore or choose another location where the wind is onshore.

If you can see whitecaps then the wind strength is already up around 15 to 20 km/h (Beaufort force 3 – 4).  Unless you’re planning on paddling in the wind for the conditions, with wind strength at this level it can make for a tiring and uncomfortable time on the water.

The following are some links from the Metservice Blog to help explain weather and sea conditions in their forecasting;

The roll, the chop and the rogue wave  << https://blog.metservice.com/understanding-sea-conditions-from-marine-forecasts >>

Sea State and Swell  << https://blog.metservice.com/sea_state_and_swell>>

Swell Period  << https://blog.metservice.com/Swell-Period >>

The book Sea Kayaking Safety goes into more depth about all weather and other environmental considerations