Cannibal Bay surfForecast / Catlins / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 am Friday 17 Apr 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
14.3° C
(Which is 3.0°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 Friday (Apr 17) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 9s. 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 3.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Apr 21) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 7s period and expected on Saturday (Apr 18) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Fri 17th Apr)3.5ft (1.1m) 16s
Best Surf 9AM (Fri 17th Apr)3.5ft (1.1m) 16s
Most Powerful 9PM (Tue 21st Apr)11ft (3.5m) 10s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri afternoon, min 8°C on Fri morning). Winds increasing (calm on Fri night, fresh winds from the ESE by Sun night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 66mm), heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 11°C on Mon night, min 9°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the ESE on Mon night, moderate winds from the E by Wed night).

Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.1
SW
0.8
SW
0.8
SSW
0.7
SW
0.5
SSW
0.9
SSW
0.9
SW
0.8
SW
0.9
SSW
2.4
S
1.9
SSE
1.3
S
2.4
ESE
3
ESE
3
ESE
2.1
E
1.9
E
1.9
E
1.6
E
1.5
E
1.3
E
Period(s) (?)1614161418161514119889101099109109
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)57324528021417840231824819694045319689818471810755601669449423281
Wind
(km/h)
15
N
10
NNE
10
N
10
N
10
SW
5
SSW
10
WNW
10
ESE
25
ESE
30
SE
35
ESE
45
ESE
40
ESE
40
ESE
40
SSE
40
SE
35
SE
30
ESE
20
E
20
E
10
ENE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
off
onononononcross-
on
cross-
on
onononcross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross
High Tide
/ height (m)
2:39PM
2.55
3:04AM
2.52
3:27PM
2.58
3:50AM
2.53
4:18PM
2.57
4:39AM
2.50
5:12PM
2.51
5:32AM
2.43
6:10PM
2.43
6:31AM
2.34
7:13PM
2.35
7:40AM
2.27
8:21PM
2.28
Low Tide
/ height (m)
9:00PM
0.67
9:19AM
0.65
9:46PM
0.69
10:07AM
0.64
10:36PM
0.73
10:58AM
0.67
11:28PM
0.80
11:53AM
0.73
12:25AM
0.86
12:54PM
0.79
1:26AM
0.92
1:59PM
0.84
2:32AM
0.96
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Sunrise7:18--7:20--7:22--7:22--7:24--7:26--7:26--
Sunset-6:00--5:58--5:57--5:54--5:52--5:51--5:50-
cloud
cloud
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
light rain
rain showers
light rain
light rain
heavy rain
light rain
light rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
light rain
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
Rain (mm)
--2----1423243218122----
Temp. °C1115121314111112119911111110101011111112
Feels °C (?)712121011891082133432357710
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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