Cannibal Bay surfForecast / Catlins / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 am Friday 30 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
14.3° C
(Which is 1.6°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 Friday (Jan 30) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 8s. 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 12 days are 3.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Feb 03) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 8s period and expected on Monday (Feb 02) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Fri 30th Jan)7.5ft (2.3m) 11s
Best Surf 1PM (Sat 31st Jan)10ft (3.0m) 12s
Most Powerful10AM (Tue 3rd Feb)11ft (3.5m) 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 Some drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat afternoon, min 8°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon morning, min 11°C on Mon afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Mon night, calm by Wed night).

Friday
30
Saturday
31
Sunday
01
Monday
02
Tuesday
03
Wednesday
04
Thursday
05
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
2
3
!
!
2
1
1
2
0
0
!
!
!
2
1
1
3
2
2
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.6
SSW
1.9
SW
1.2
SSW
1.3
SSW
3
SW
3
WSW
0.9
SW
0.7
SW
0.6
SW
1.1
ENE
1.3
SW
3
SW
3.5
SW
3
SW
3
SW
1.4
SSW
0.8
SW
0.9
SW
0.8
SSE
1.2
SSW
0.9
SSW
Period(s) (?)131191312121212128711121210101212121414
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)78777723755528242635232141921491512172389523341818327169205186602362
Wind
(km/h)
10
W
15
SW
10
NW
5
WNW
15
SW
5
WNW
10
NNE
15
ENE
15
NNE
10
N
40
SW
45
SW
30
WSW
25
W
10
WNW
5
NNW
10
ESE
10
NE
5
N
15
NE
5
WNW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
crossoffoffcrossoffcross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
crosscrosscross-
off
cross-
off
offglassoncrossglasscrossoff
High Tide
/ height (m)
1:41PM
2.33
2:16AM
2.41
2:39PM
2.40
3:12AM
2.46
3:31PM
2.46
4:03AM
2.50
4:20PM
2.50
4:50AM
2.51
5:05PM
2.51
5:34AM
2.49
5:50PM
2.48
6:16AM
2.45
6:33PM
2.43
Low Tide
/ height (m)
8:00PM
0.75
8:33AM
0.81
8:56PM
0.64
9:25AM
0.72
9:48PM
0.56
10:13AM
0.66
10:36PM
0.53
10:58AM
0.65
11:22PM
0.55
11:43AM
0.68
12:07AM
0.62
12:26PM
0.75
12:51AM
0.73
Friday
30
Saturday
31
Sunday
01
Monday
02
Tuesday
03
Wednesday
04
Thursday
05
Sunrise6:28--6:30--6:31--6:33--6:35--6:35--6:37--
Sunset-9:17--9:16--9:15--9:14--9:13--9:10--9:09-
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
cloud
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
Rain (mm)
--------1-52--------1
Temp. °C141612161815151515191211141514131414192218
Feels °C (?)111210141411111314185491012121213161917
  • 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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