Colac Bay surf break

Colac Bay surfForecast / Southland / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 am Thursday 21 May 2026 NZST
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
13.2° 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 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (May 21) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 12s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 5s 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 16 days are 2.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (May 23) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (May 26) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Thu 21st May)7ft (2.1m) 10s
Best Surf 9PM (Thu 21st May)7ft (2.1m) 10s
Most Powerful 6PM (Sat 23rd May)8ft (2.5m) 17s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Very mild (max 12°C on Thu afternoon, min 7°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Thu morning, calm by Sat night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Mon afternoon, min 7°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
21
Friday
22
Saturday
23
Sunday
24
Monday
25
Tuesday
26
Wednesday
27
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
!
3
4
3
4
!
!
!
!
4
3
2
2
2
1
1
2
3
3
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.5
W
7
2.2
W
8
2
W
11
2
WSW
12
1.8
WSW
12
2
W
13
2.2
WSW
12
2.3
WSW
14
2.5
WSW
16
2.1
WSW
16
1.8
WSW
14
1.5
WSW
13
1.2
WSW
13
0.8
WSW
12
1.4
W
8
1.2
WSW
11
0.7
WSW
15
1.4
WSW
15
1.4
WSW
15
1.4
WSW
15
1.4
WSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
654
535
951
1127
1009
1288
1415
2259
3293
2080
1277
746
454
169
233
343
202
857
857
857
756
Wind (km/h)
35
W
35
W
15
W
10
NW
15
W
20
WNW
20
WSW
20
WSW
5
WSW
10
N
5
E
5
NW
10
N
5
NW
10
NW
10
NE
10
ENE
5
NE
5
N
5
E
5
N
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
glassy
off
cross-off
glassy
off
cross
cross-on
cross
glassy
glassy
cross-off
High Tide
5:16PM2.38m
5:42AM2.32m
6:18PM2.29m
6:47AM2.27m
7:22PM2.24m
7:51AM2.24m
8:23PM2.21m
8:50AM2.24m
9:19PM2.22m
9:44AM2.26m
10:10PM2.24m
10:33AM2.29m
10:56PM2.27m
Low Tide
11:04AM0.34m
11:33PM0.51m
12:06PM0.40m
00:34AM0.57m
1:08PM0.46m
1:37AM0.61m
2:07PM0.51m
2:37AM0.64m
3:03PM0.57m
3:34AM0.64m
3:57PM0.62m
4:25AM0.65m
4:47PM0.66m
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
8:08
8:10
8:11
8:11
8:12
8:15
8:15
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:19
5:17
5:16
5:16
5:15
5:15
5:14
6
Temp °C
11
12
11
9
11
11
11
11
10
8
10
9
10
12
12
12
12
12
12
13
11
3
4
5
6
7
6
7
7
7
6
9
7
8
11
10
10
10
10
11
12
10
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
E
4
0.2
S
16
0.1
S
12
2
WSW
12
0.1
S
12
0.1
S
13
0.1
S
14
0.1
S
16
2.5
WSW
16
2.1
WSW
16
1.8
WSW
14
1.5
WSW
13
1.2
WSW
13
0.8
WSW
12
0.6
WSW
12
1.2
WSW
11
0.9
WSW
11
1.4
WSW
15
1.4
WSW
15
1.4
WSW
15
1.4
WSW
14
Energy kJ
1
21
3
1127
3
3
4
5
3293
2080
1277
746
454
169
111
343
202
857
857
857
756
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
S
18
0.1
E
6
0.4
S
6
0.1
S
14
0.3
S
12
0.2
S
4
0.1
S
16
0.1
S
16
0.2
S
14
0.2
S
13
0.8
W
7
0.1
S
12
0.4
WSW
16
0.7
WSW
15
0.2
S
15
0.1
S
17
0.2
S
16
0.1
S
14
Energy kJ
24
1
12
4
24
2
5
5
15
13
62
3
102
201
17
6
19
4
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
SE
13
0.1
S
11
0.1
E
8
0.2
S
15
0.1
S
17
0.1
S
12
0.1
S
11
0.1
S
10
Energy kJ
7
2
1
17
6
3
2
2
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.5
W
7
2.2
W
8
2
W
11
1.8
WSW
12
2
W
13
2.2
WSW
12
2.3
WSW
14
0.3
WSW
16
1.4
W
8
0.2
S
16
Energy kJ
654
535
951
1009
1288
1415
2259
53
233
21
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
3
4
3
4
5
6
7
5
4
3
2
2
2
3
4
4
3
3
3
Distance (km)
637
180
0
0
44
0
44
124
13
3
0
0
0
0
0
3
12
3
0
0
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Southland
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
3
4
5
7
5
4
4
4
3
4
3
5
4
4
4
5
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
4
4
4
4
5
6
8
6
5
4
4
4
4
4
5
5
5
5
5
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
5
4
7
6
6
7
8
7
5
5
4
4
4
5
5
5
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 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 16 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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