Cannibal Bay surfForecast / Catlins / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Saturday 28 Feb 2026 NZDT
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
14.7° C
(Which is 2.1°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 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Mar 01) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 1.4m and 12s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 8s 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 12 days are 4.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Mar 01) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Mar 07) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Sun 1st Mar)10ft (3.0m) 12s
Best Surf 4AM (Sun 1st Mar)10ft (3.0m) 12s
Most Powerful10PM (Sun 1st Mar)13ft (4.0m) 13s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Cannibal Bay over the next 12 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 6°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Sun afternoon, calm by Mon night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Fri morning, min 11°C on Tue afternoon). Wind will be generally light.

Sat
28
Sunday
01
Monday
02
Tuesday
03
Wednesday
04
Thursday
05
Friday
06
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
0
0
0
2
1
3
3
1
4
3
2
2
1
1
1
2
2
3
5
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
2.3
SW
2.5
SW
1.9
SSW
2.4
SSW
3.5
SSW
2.5
S
2.5
S
2.4
S
1.9
S
1.7
SSE
1
SSW
1.1
SSW
1
SSW
0.8
SSW
0.6
SSW
0.5
SSW
0.5
E
0.6
SSW
0.8
SSW
1
SSW
2.5
SSW
Period(s) (?)131212121312121111101816161514161115161516
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)1651202097615694485203519901478846610677604481275140140611423224432999
Wind
(km/h)
20
SW
25
W
30
SW
35
SW
25
SSW
20
SW
25
SSW
5
SW
5
NNE
15
ENE
5
NNW
5
NW
15
ENE
10
NNE
5
NW
10
NNE
10
NNW
10
NNW
10
NNE
5
N
10
N
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crosscross-
off
crosscrosscross-
on
crosscrosscrosscross-
off
crossoffglasscrosscross-
off
glasscross-
off
cross-
off
offcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
2:04AM
2.37
2:24PM
2.38
2:55AM
2.42
3:12PM
2.45
3:41AM
2.46
3:57PM
2.49
4:24AM
2.48
4:39PM
2.50
5:03AM
2.48
5:19PM
2.48
5:41AM
2.44
5:59PM
2.43
6:17AM
2.39
Low Tide
/ height (m)
7:47PM
0.73
8:18AM
0.78
8:40PM
0.64
9:06AM
0.70
9:28PM
0.58
9:50AM
0.66
10:12PM
0.58
10:32AM
0.67
10:54PM
0.62
11:13AM
0.71
11:35PM
0.71
11:53AM
0.78
12:16AM
0.82
12:33PM
0.88
Sat
28
Sunday
01
Monday
02
Tuesday
03
Wednesday
04
Thursday
05
Friday
06
Sunrise--7:13--7:16--7:16--7:18--7:20--7:20--7:22
Sunset8:32--8:30--8:29--8:27--8:24--8:22--8:21--
part cloud
mod rain
clear
rain showers
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
Rain (mm)
-6-1-----------------
Temp. °C171311119101199111215151415181823252019
Feels °C (?)1310332455471012111314161620232018
  • 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 12 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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