Cannibal Bay surfForecast / Catlins / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 am Friday 08 May 2026 NZST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Cannibal Bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Cannibal Bay sea temperature is
13.7° C
(Which is 3.1°C warmer than normal for this time of year)

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Cannibal Bay this week:

The surf forecast for Cannibal Bay over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (May 09) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 2.5m and 14s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 10s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Cannibal Bay in the next 16 days are 5.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (May 10) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 9s period and expected on Friday (May 08) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Sat 9th May)11ft (3.5m) 11s
Best Surf 6PM (Sat 9th May)11ft (3.5m) 11s
Most Powerful 6AM (Sun 10th May)16ft (5.0m) 14s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Fri night. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri morning, min 6°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the E on Fri afternoon, strong winds from the WSW by Sun morning).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 12°C on Mon afternoon, min 7°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Mon afternoon, light winds from the W by Wed night).

Friday
8
Saturday
9
Sunday
10
Monday
11
Tuesday
12
Wednesday
13
Thursday
14
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
2
2
1
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
2
!
!
5
4
3
4
Swell
Height Map
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
SSW
13
0.6
SSW
16
1.1
SSW
17
1.2
SSW
16
1.2
SSW
15
3
SSW
15
5
SW
14
4
SSW
14
5
SSW
13
4.5
SW
13
4.5
SW
13
4.5
SSW
13
4.5
SSW
14
3.5
SSW
14
2.5
SSW
13
4
SW
12
3.5
SW
12
2.5
SSW
16
2.5
SSW
15
2.3
SSW
14
2
SSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
282
206
665
724
636
4221
9032
5934
8858
7687
7325
6947
7997
4183
2303
4237
4043
3216
2700
2012
1526
Wind (km/h)
10
NE
10
E
20
SW
25
WNW
35
WNW
35
W
40
WSW
45
WSW
35
SW
25
WNW
40
W
35
WSW
30
WSW
25
W
30
W
25
WSW
25
SW
15
W
15
WSW
15
SW
10
WNW
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
off
High Tide
7:39PM2.07m
8:02AM2.03m
8:36PM2.06m
9:03AM2.05m
9:35PM2.08m
10:01AM2.11m
10:32PM2.15m
10:55AM2.20m
11:24PM2.23m
11:46AM2.31m
00:14AM2.33m
12:36PM2.41m
1:02AM2.41m
Low Tide
1:28PM1.10m
1:52AM1.16m
2:26PM1.09m
2:50AM1.14m
3:24PM1.06m
3:50AM1.10m
4:20PM1.01m
4:47AM1.04m
5:14PM0.94m
5:40AM0.96m
6:06PM0.88m
6:30AM0.87m
6:57PM0.82m
cloud
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
light rain
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
light rain
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:47
7:48
7:48
7:50
7:52
7:52
7:54
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:27
5:24
5:23
5:22
5:22
5:20
5:19
1
8
1
4
2
2
1
1
2
Temp °C
13
13
12
11
12
9
8
7
7
9
12
10
11
12
12
12
12
10
10
10
10
11
12
10
4
5
2
-2
-3
-3
1
4
2
4
7
5
7
7
7
7
7
8
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
SSW
13
0.7
SW
13
1.1
SSW
17
1.2
SSW
16
1.3
SW
9
3
SSW
15
3.5
SSW
14
0.3
ENE
10
4
SSW
14
3
SSW
14
3
SSW
13
3.5
SSW
13
3.5
SSW
14
3.5
SSW
14
2.5
SSW
13
2.3
SSW
12
2.4
SSW
13
2.5
SSW
16
2.5
SSW
15
2.3
SSW
14
2
SSW
14
Energy kJ
282
170
665
724
243
4221
5153
20
5711
3663
2508
4363
5755
4183
2303
1652
1905
3216
2700
2012
1526
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
ENE
9
0.7
ENE
10
0.5
ENE
9
1.2
ENE
11
1.2
SSW
15
0.8
ENE
11
0.4
ENE
10
0.4
NE
14
0.4
ENE
13
0.4
ENE
13
0.4
ENE
12
0.4
ENE
12
0.4
ENE
12
0.3
E
15
0.6
S
23
1
S
20
1.2
SSW
18
0.3
E
11
0.3
SSE
14
0.4
SSE
11
0.9
SSE
11
Energy kJ
92
80
45
302
636
133
41
72
59
56
52
48
45
38
384
775
951
20
37
49
180
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
S
9
0.6
SSW
16
0.7
SSW
17
1
SW
6
0.8
ENE
9
0.3
ENE
11
0.4
ENE
12
0.3
E
11
0.3
E
11
0.1
SE
14
0.2
E
10
0.4
SE
13
0.2
E
10
Energy kJ
2
206
300
80
100
24
51
23
22
8
8
46
8
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
NE
9
0.4
S
3
1.4
SW
6
0.6
W
3
0.6
W
3
5
SW
14
4
SSW
14
5
SSW
13
4.5
SW
13
4.5
SW
13
4.5
SSW
13
4.5
SSW
14
4
SW
12
3.5
SW
12
Energy kJ
231
3
157
8
8
9032
5934
8858
7687
7325
6947
7997
4237
4043
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
2
2
2
1
1
2
4
4
4
1
1
4
4
5
3
5
4
4
4
Distance (km)
18
18
58
54
58
106
106
400
297
66
145
254
107
5
61
5
106
0
0
5
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Catlins
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
7
6
7
5
5
4
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
2
4
4
4
5
4
4
5
5
4
8
7
4
6
3
7
5
5
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
6
7
5
5
5
4
5
4
4
5
5
4
8
9
8
6
4
7
5
5
5
  • 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 Cannibal Bay Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Cannibal Bay provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Cannibal Bay can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Cannibal 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 (Cannibal 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 Cannibal 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.

Cannibal Bay is 88 km (55 miles) from Dunedin. If you plan a holiday in Catlins, look for hotels and other accommodation in Dunedin. Dunedin has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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