
Surf Forecasts:
Colac Bay surf forecast from 27 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 31 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 31 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 15s period, WSW swell with 4,485 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 27 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 11s period with W swell.
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 Monday (Jul 27) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 13s. 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 3.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 31) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 12s period and expected on Friday (Jul 31) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Mon 27th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Fri 31st Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Fri 31st Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Colac Bay over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue afternoon, min 6°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Fri morning. Very mild (max 12°C on Thu morning, min 5°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Fri morning, calm by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 11 | W 11 | WSW 11 | W 10 | W 10 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | W 13 | WSW 14 | W 14 | WSW 16 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | SSE 11 | WSW 12 | W 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 20 | WSW 18 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
485 | 403 | 191 | 340 | 360 | 1379 | 1449 | 1233 | 787 | 822 | 577 | 269 | 3996 | 2860 | 1034 | 624 | 711 | 582 | 400 | 578 | 2157 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-off |
High Tide | 12:03PM2.18m | 00:19AM2.16m | 12:44PM2.21m | 00:57AM2.19m | 1:21PM2.24m | 1:32AM2.22m | 1:57PM2.27m | 2:07AM2.25m | 2:32PM2.29m | 2:42AM2.28m | 3:07PM2.30m | 3:20AM2.30m | 3:44PM2.30m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:21PM0.72m | 6:38AM0.58m | 6:58PM0.63m | 7:15AM0.51m | 7:33PM0.55m | 7:52AM0.44m | 8:08PM0.50m | 8:28AM0.40m | 8:43PM0.47m | 9:05AM0.39m | 9:21PM0.46m | 9:44AM0.42m | 10:01PM0.48m | ||||||||
8:15 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:11 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:08 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | |
— | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 9 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 7 |
Feels °C | 6 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 13 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 4 | -1 | 0 | -2 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 4 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 11 | W 11 | WSW 11 | W 10 | W 10 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | W 13 | WSW 14 | W 14 | WSW 13 | ESE 11 | — | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 18 |
485 | 403 | 191 | 340 | 360 | 1379 | 1449 | 1233 | 787 | 822 | 577 | 236 | 47 | — | 1034 | 19 | 9 | 9 | 400 | 350 | 2157 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SSE 13 | WSW 15 | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | WSW 16 | WSW 20 | WSW 18 | WSW 16 | SE 16 | — | — | SE 16 | SE 15 | S 19 | WSW 17 | WSW 20 | SSE 12 |
7 | 7 | 7 | 17 | 131 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 376 | 79 | 326 | 269 | 10 | — | — | 10 | 54 | 29 | 99 | 578 | 13 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 18 | S 11 | SW 16 | SW 18 | SSE 13 | S 17 | S 15 | S 15 | SSE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | — | — | — | S 21 | S 21 | — | WSW 21 | SSE 11 | S 19 |
6 | 3 | 10 | 12 | 17 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 15 | 5 | 5 | 5 | — | — | — | 9 | 8 | — | 88 | 11 | 7 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | NE 4 | — | NW 12 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | W 12 | WSW 11 | — | WSW 21 | W 7 |
— | — | 66 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 16 | — | 511 | 3996 | 2860 | 874 | 624 | 711 | 582 | — | 85 | 130 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 12 | 0 | 17 | 146 | 618 | 221 | 271 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Southland | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Live Wave Height (m)
Live 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.










