Cannibal Bay surfForecast / Catlins / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 am Thursday 07 May 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
13.7° 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 Thursday (May 07) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 6s. 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 6.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Monday (May 11) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 9s period and expected on Friday (May 08) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Thu 7th May)2.5ft (0.8m) 14s
Best Surf 9PM (Sat 9th May)10ft (3.0m) 14s
Most Powerful12AM (Mon 11th May)20ft (6.0m) 14s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 29mm), heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu afternoon, min 9°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu morning, strong winds from the WSW by Sat night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Sun morning. Very mild (max 11°C on Mon afternoon, min 5°C on Sun afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Mon afternoon, light winds from the WNW by Tue night).

Thursday
7
Friday
8
Saturday
9
Sunday
10
Monday
11
Tuesday
12
Wednesday
13
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
2
2
1
2
2
!
!
0
!
!
!
!
!
!
4
!
4
!
Swell
Height Map
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
13
0.6
SSW
16
1.1
SSW
17
1.2
SSW
16
1.1
SSW
15
3
SSW
15
5.5
SW
14
4
SSW
15
6
SSW
14
5
SW
14
3
SSW
13
5.5
SSW
13
5
SSW
13
4.5
SSW
13
2.5
SSW
13
3
SW
13
2.5
SW
12
3.5
SW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
312
261
257
282
206
665
724
551
3753
11200
7231
13804
9919
2993
9708
8538
7547
2224
3153
1969
2960
Wind (km/h)
0
E
15
NNW
5
NW
10
NNE
5
ENE
20
SW
30
W
30
WNW
30
W
40
WSW
45
WSW
40
SW
30
W
45
WSW
35
WSW
35
WSW
30
SW
15
W
20
WNW
25
W
20
WSW
glassy
cross-off
off
cross-off
glassy
cross
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
6:48PM2.12m
7:03AM2.05m
7:39PM2.07m
8:02AM2.03m
8:36PM2.06m
9:03AM2.05m
9:35PM2.08m
10:01AM2.11m
10:32PM2.15m
10:55AM2.20m
11:24PM2.23m
11:46AM2.31m
00:14AM2.33m
Low Tide
12:36PM1.08m
00:59AM1.16m
1:28PM1.10m
1:52AM1.16m
2:26PM1.09m
2:50AM1.14m
3:24PM1.06m
3:50AM1.10m
4:20PM1.01m
4:47AM1.04m
5:14PM0.94m
5:40AM0.96m
6:06PM0.88m
light rain
clear
rain showers
cloud
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
light rain
cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:45
7:47
7:48
7:48
7:50
7:52
7:52
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:28
5:27
5:24
5:23
5:22
5:22
5:20
2
1
3
12
1
10
5
3
3
1
1
Temp °C
13
15
13
12
13
12
11
12
10
7
5
7
8
11
9
9
10
10
11
12
11
11
13
12
11
13
10
3
5
2
-2
-6
-1
0
2
0
1
3
6
7
7
7
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
13
0.7
SW
13
1.1
SSW
17
1.2
SSW
16
1.3
SW
9
3
SSW
15
4
SSW
15
0.3
ENE
10
4.5
SSW
15
3.5
SSW
14
3
SSW
13
4
SSW
14
4
SSW
14
3.5
SSW
14
2.5
SSW
13
1.8
SSW
13
1.8
SSW
12
2
SSW
12
Energy kJ
312
261
257
282
170
665
724
238
3753
6428
19
8911
4767
2993
5861
5808
3946
2224
1100
936
1132
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
ENE
5
0.6
ENE
6
0.7
ENE
7
0.8
ENE
9
0.7
ENE
9
0.5
ENE
8
1.2
ENE
11
1.1
SSW
15
0.8
ENE
11
0.4
ENE
10
0.2
ENE
14
0.4
ENE
13
0.4
ENE
13
0.4
ENE
12
0.3
ENE
12
0.2
ENE
11
0.2
ENE
11
0.4
SSW
24
1.1
SSE
9
1
SSE
9
1
SSW
16
Energy kJ
9
27
55
90
67
40
302
551
133
40
20
58
55
49
28
12
12
184
216
189
575
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
NE
9
0.1
E
11
0.1
S
9
0.6
SSW
16
0.8
ENE
8
0.8
ENE
10
0.3
E
13
0.8
S
20
1
S
18
0.5
S
9
Energy kJ
3
2
2
206
90
114
32
485
668
43
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
NE
5
0.4
W
3
1.2
NE
9
0.5
S
3
1.2
SW
7
0.5
WNW
3
0.6
WNW
3
5.5
SW
14
4
SSW
15
6
SSW
14
5
SW
14
0.3
NNW
3
5.5
SSW
13
5
SSW
13
4.5
SSW
13
0.4
WNW
3
3
SW
13
2.5
SW
12
3.5
SW
12
Energy kJ
42
3
226
6
135
6
9
11200
7231
13804
9919
2
9708
8538
7547
3
3153
1969
2960
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
2
2
1
2
2
1
1
3
5
4
3
2
8
3
4
5
4
4
Distance (km)
0
0
0
0
0
54
107
58
106
149
561
297
71
165
254
158
254
0
25
5
5
Best forecast wave conditions in Catlins
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
3
3
3
5
5
5
4
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
6
6
7
4
8
5
5
5
5
5
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
7
6
6
6
5
5
5
5
4
6
9
5
5
4
5
9
5
5
5
  • 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 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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