Colac Bay surf break

Colac Bay surfForecast / Southland / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Thursday 12 Mar 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
14.9° C
(Which is 2.0°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 Friday (Mar 13) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 13s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Colac Bay in the next 12 days are 3.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Mar 15) at 4PM. 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 6s period and expected on Saturday (Mar 14) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10AM (Fri 13th Mar)4.5ft (1.4m) 11s
Best Surf 1PM (Sat 14th Mar)7ft (2.2m) 8s
Most Powerful 4PM (Sun 15th Mar)10ft (3.0m) 16s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Moderate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Thu night. Warm (max 22°C on Thu afternoon, min 10°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Fri morning, fresh winds from the W by Sat afternoon).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon morning, min 11°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Thu
12
Friday
13
Saturday
14
Sunday
15
Monday
16
Tuesday
17
Wednesday
18
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
3
1
0
1
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
4
3
1
2
2
2
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1
W
1.1
W
1.4
W
1.8
W
1.3
WSW
1.9
W
2.5
W
3
W
3
WSW
3
WSW
2.5
WSW
2.3
W
2.1
WSW
1.6
WSW
1.4
WSW
1.1
WSW
0.8
WSW
1.1
W
1.3
WSW
1.2
WSW
1
WSW
Period(s) (?)111111111079121516161615141313138121111
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)23530047673035634112163112402949223709260119761075576424189141503343254
Wind
(km/h)
20
N
25
N
15
W
30
WSW
25
WSW
25
WNW
35
W
35
W
30
W
30
W
20
NW
20
WNW
20
W
5
NE
10
WSW
10
SW
0
SE
0
NW
10
SW
5
ENE
5
W
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offoffcross-
off
glasscross-
off
crossglassglasscrosscross-
on
cross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
9:29PM
1.98
9:54AM
1.94
10:28PM
2.01
10:51AM
2.00
11:20PM
2.07
11:39AM
2.09
12:05AM
2.16
12:22PM
2.20
12:48AM
2.26
1:03PM
2.32
1:28AM
2.36
1:43PM
2.43
2:08AM
2.45
Low Tide
/ height (m)
3:44AM
0.98
4:17PM
0.84
4:49AM
0.88
5:13PM
0.73
5:42AM
0.75
6:01PM
0.59
6:25AM
0.60
6:44PM
0.46
7:05AM
0.47
7:25PM
0.34
7:44AM
0.36
8:06PM
0.26
8:24AM
0.29
Thu
12
Friday
13
Saturday
14
Sunday
15
Monday
16
Tuesday
17
Wednesday
18
Sunrise--7:39--7:39--7:41--7:43--7:45--7:46--7:47
Sunset8:16--8:15--8:13--8:12--8:09--8:07--8:06--
cloud
rain showers
part cloud
light rain
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
Rain (mm)
-10-1---11--11-1------
Temp. °C221816141214151415151316161413151314131213
Feels °C (?)1813138879799812131213141314121011
  • 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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