Cannibal Bay surfForecast / Catlins / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 am Monday 15 Dec 2025 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
14.2° C
(Which is 2.9°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 Tuesday (Dec 16) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 8s. 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 3.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Dec 19) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 7s period and expected on Monday (Dec 15) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Tue 16th Dec)1.5ft (0.4m) 18s
Best Surf10PM (Thu 18th Dec)10ft (3.0m) 12s
Most Powerful 1AM (Fri 19th Dec)10ft (3.0m) 12s

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 29mm), heaviest during Tue afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Mon morning, min 7°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Moderate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Thu night. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 6°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Thu morning, fresh winds from the WSW by Sat afternoon).

Monday
15
Tuesday
16
Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
3
1
3
2
1
2
2
4
!
2
0
2
0
1
0
3
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.3
ENE
1.2
ENE
0.9
ENE
1
SSW
1.3
SSW
1.2
SSW
1.4
SW
1.4
SW
1
SW
0.8
SW
2.3
WSW
3
WSW
0.9
SSW
1.1
SW
1
SSW
0.9
SW
1.6
SW
1.5
SSW
2.5
SW
1.7
SSW
1.3
SSW
Period(s) (?)87817171615141312121212141413881099
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)173147105622859666881752342203143526642604634372613212471225445249
Wind
(km/h)
30
NNE
20
SW
10
ENE
0
NW
10
SE
15
WSW
15
WSW
20
SSW
10
NW
10
WSW
10
WSW
20
WSW
15
WSW
30
SW
15
W
25
W
35
WSW
25
W
20
WSW
20
WSW
10
NNW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
crosscrossglassoncross-
off
cross-
off
crossoffcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
12:45PM
2.19
1:11AM
2.22
1:32PM
2.21
1:56AM
2.24
2:15PM
2.23
2:39AM
2.26
2:56PM
2.23
3:20AM
2.27
3:36PM
2.23
4:01AM
2.27
4:13PM
2.22
4:40AM
2.26
4:50PM
2.21
Low Tide
/ height (m)
6:57PM
1.08
7:20AM
1.11
7:44PM
1.07
8:08AM
1.11
8:28PM
1.05
8:52AM
1.10
9:09PM
1.02
9:32AM
1.07
9:49PM
0.98
10:10AM
1.04
10:27PM
0.95
10:48AM
1.01
11:06PM
0.92
Monday
15
Tuesday
16
Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Sunrise5:41--5:41--5:41--5:41--5:43--5:43--5:43--
Sunset-9:29--9:29--9:30--9:30--9:31--9:31--9:32-
cloud
light rain
light rain
part cloud
heavy rain
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
mod rain
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
cloud
rain showers
Rain (mm)
-52-211-----64112--1-2
Temp. °C21121213101013141216171610119111210101211
Feels °C (?)1681112769910131412643443577
  • 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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