Colac Bay surf break

Colac Bay surfForecast / Southland / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Friday 23 Jan 2026 NZDT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Colac Bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Colac Bay sea temperature is
15.3° C
(Which is 2.3°C warmer than normal for this time of year)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Colac Bay this week:

The surf forecast for Colac Bay over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jan 24) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 12s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 13s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Colac Bay in the next 12 days are 3.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jan 25) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Jan 27) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Sat 24th Jan)7ft (2.2m) 13s
Best Surf 7AM (Sat 24th Jan)7ft (2.2m) 13s
Most Powerful 4AM (Sun 25th Jan)10ft (3.0m) 13s

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

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 28mm), heaviest during Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri afternoon, min 11°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Sat night, light winds from the SW by Mon morning).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed afternoon, min 9°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Fri
23
Saturday
24
Sunday
25
Monday
26
Tuesday
27
Wednesday
28
Thursday
29
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
1
3
!
1
0
1
0
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
0
2
2
2
3
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.1
WSW
1.8
WSW
2.2
WSW
1.8
WSW
2.3
SW
1.6
WSW
1.3
WSW
1.2
WSW
1.3
WSW
1.3
WSW
0.9
WSW
0.9
WSW
0.8
WSW
0.6
WSW
0.5
WSW
0.3
WSW
1.1
W
0.8
WSW
1.9
W
1.7
WSW
1.5
WSW
Period(s) (?)14131312121211151816161414131319612111510
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)50897715991016142368040462794391544136122913595741001618621275407
Wind
(km/h)
20
SW
15
SW
20
SW
25
SSW
40
SW
15
SSW
20
SW
20
WSW
15
SW
25
SW
15
SW
10
SSW
10
SW
10
NE
10
W
15
SSW
5
NW
15
NNW
25
WSW
20
WSW
15
W
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crosscross-
off
crosscrosscrosscrosscrosscross-
off
crosscrosscrosscrosscrosscrosscross-
off
crossoffoffcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
5:24PM
2.30
5:49AM
2.29
6:13PM
2.28
6:38AM
2.26
7:08PM
2.25
7:36AM
2.22
8:12PM
2.23
8:41AM
2.20
9:20PM
2.24
9:49AM
2.21
10:28PM
2.29
10:55AM
2.26
11:32PM
2.36
11:57AM
2.33
Low Tide
/ height (m)
11:52PM
0.45
12:12PM
0.52
12:41AM
0.52
1:04PM
0.57
1:35AM
0.59
2:02PM
0.62
2:34AM
0.66
3:06PM
0.63
3:39AM
0.69
4:12PM
0.59
4:48AM
0.66
5:19PM
0.50
5:55AM
0.57
Fri
23
Saturday
24
Sunday
25
Monday
26
Tuesday
27
Wednesday
28
Thursday
29
Sunrise--6:26--6:28--6:30--6:31--6:33--6:35--6:35
Sunset9:31--9:31--9:30--9:29--9:28--9:27--9:25--
cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
mod rain
light rain
light rain
light rain
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
-134104312--------31--
Temp. °C131213121213131313141214141115191516141213
Feels °C (?)98107610101010991111914171313867
  • 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 Colac Bay Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Colac Bay provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 12 days. A general guide to surfing at Colac Bay can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Colac 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 (Colac 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 Colac 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.

Colac Bay is 30 km (19 miles) from Tuatapere. If you plan a holiday in Southland, look for hotels and other accommodation in Tuatapere. Tuatapere has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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