Surf Forecasts:
Colac Bay surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 16 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 15s period, WSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, W swell with 3,529 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 16 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 15s period with WSW 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 Sunday (Aug 16) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 16s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Colac Bay in the next 16 days are 3.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 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 1.2m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 20) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Colac Bay over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 10°C on Mon afternoon, min 5°C on Sun morning). Winds increasing (calm on Sun afternoon, fresh winds from the SW by Mon night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri afternoon, min 6°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | W 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | W 10 | W 10 | W 12 | W 12 | W 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
2723 | 2191 | 1464 | 1139 | 1127 | 1103 | 1217 | 1849 | 1751 | 1312 | 1127 | 815 | 482 | 1117 | 573 | 431 | 307 | 865 | 710 | 722 | 1822 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:52PM2.48m | 4:14AM2.45m | 4:35PM2.38m | 5:02AM2.34m | 5:21PM2.26m | 5:54AM2.23m | 6:15PM2.15m | 6:54AM2.13m | 7:17PM2.06m | 7:57AM2.06m | 8:23PM2.01m | 9:00AM2.04m | 9:24PM2.01m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:51AM0.26m | 10:10PM0.39m | 10:37AM0.43m | 10:57PM0.53m | 11:24AM0.61m | 11:46PM0.68m | 12:13PM0.77m | 00:39AM0.80m | 1:06PM0.90m | 1:39AM0.88m | 2:06PM0.97m | 2:43AM0.89m | 3:14PM0.98m | ||||||||
7:47 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | |
— | 5:58 | — | — | 5:59 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 13 |
Temp °C | 7 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 9 |
Feels °C | 4 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 4 | 10 | 11 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 10 | ESE 13 | S 10 | WSW 15 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | S 9 | WSW 13 | S 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | W 10 | SSE 10 | W 12 | W 12 | S 9 |
2723 | 2191 | 1464 | 198 | 128 | 154 | 17 | 7 | 1751 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 482 | 5 | 573 | 431 | 307 | 20 | 710 | 722 | 24 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 17 | S 16 | S 15 | S 13 | SSW 13 | SE 14 | — | S 15 | SSE 9 | — | — | SE 12 | S 10 | S 10 | W 7 | W 8 | WSW 14 | S 12 | WSW 20 | W 19 | S 18 |
23 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 17 | 8 | — | 4 | 8 | — | — | 5 | 2 | 2 | 107 | 131 | 261 | 3 | 127 | 188 | 24 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 13 | — | SE 12 | E 9 | SE 15 | SE 9 | — | — | S 15 | — | — | — | SE 12 | E 9 | S 14 | S 12 | S 12 | S 16 | — | WSW 16 | SE 14 |
7 | — | 6 | 1 | 9 | 3 | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | 5 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 5 | — | 87 | 8 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | W 4 | W 16 | — | NNW 2 | — | W 10 | — | — | W 14 |
— | — | — | 1139 | 1127 | 1103 | 1217 | 1849 | 45 | 1312 | 1127 | 815 | 24 | 1117 | — | 1 | — | 865 | — | — | 1822 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 13 | 3 | 0 | 11 | 124 | 146 | 271 | 271 | 44 | 0 | 146 | 124 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
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.











