Cannibal Bay surfForecast / Catlins / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 am Thursday 08 Jan 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
15.0° C
(Which is 2.8°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 Thursday (Jan 08) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Cannibal Bay in the next 12 days are 3.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jan 12) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 6s period and expected on Friday (Jan 09) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10AM (Thu 8th Jan)2ft (0.6m) 13s
Best Surf 7AM (Mon 12th Jan)10ft (3.0m) 10s
Most Powerful 7AM (Mon 12th Jan)10ft (3.0m) 10s

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

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 43mm), heaviest during Sat morning. Warm (max 21°C on Sat afternoon, min 10°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu morning, strong winds from the WNW by Sat night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Some drizzle, heaviest during Mon morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue morning, min 9°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Sun morning, calm by Tue night).

Thursday
08
Friday
09
Saturday
10
Sunday
11
Monday
12
Tuesday
13
Wednesday
14
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
0
0
2
1
2
2
0
1
1
3
3
3
1
0
1
1
2
4
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.6
SW
0.9
SW
0.9
SW
0.5
SSW
0.8
SSW
0.8
SSW
0.8
SSW
0.9
SSW
0.8
SW
1.3
WSW
1.1
SW
2.4
SW
2.5
SSW
2.1
SSW
2.3
WSW
0.8
SSE
0.8
SSW
0.9
SW
0.9
SSW
1.2
SSW
1.6
SSW
Period(s) (?)131513171615151414815999891010121414
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)1383142491722983022723672182555099101177697662901221482515151010
Wind
(km/h)
5
N
20
NNE
15
W
25
WSW
30
SW
15
NNE
20
NNE
10
W
15
NNW
45
W
35
WSW
25
SW
20
WSW
25
WSW
15
NW
15
NNW
10
SSW
5
NW
15
W
15
SW
10
WSW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
glasscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
offoffcross-
on
glasscross-
off
crosscross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
7:57PM
2.34
8:23AM
2.29
8:50PM
2.27
9:16AM
2.22
9:46PM
2.21
10:12AM
2.17
10:44PM
2.17
11:10AM
2.14
11:42PM
2.16
12:05PM
2.14
12:36AM
2.16
12:57PM
2.14
1:27AM
2.18
Low Tide
/ height (m)
1:47PM
0.85
2:15AM
0.81
2:38PM
0.94
3:06AM
0.93
3:30PM
1.03
3:57AM
1.04
4:25PM
1.10
4:50AM
1.13
5:22PM
1.14
5:46AM
1.19
6:19PM
1.15
6:44AM
1.20
7:13PM
1.12
Thursday
08
Friday
09
Saturday
10
Sunday
11
Monday
12
Tuesday
13
Wednesday
14
Sunrise5:58--5:58--6:00--6:01--6:03--6:03--6:05--
Sunset-9:35--9:35--9:34--9:34--9:32--9:32--9:31-
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
clear
part cloud
mod rain
heavy rain
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
Rain (mm)
-12--9292----1-----1--
Temp. °C191618171714162121171512141613191614141212
Feels °C (?)17121611101116191887781091714131189
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder

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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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