Farewell Spit surf break

Farewell Spit surfForecast / Nelson – West Coast / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 pm Friday 09 Jan 2026 NZDT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Farewell Spit surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Farewell Spit sea temperature is
18.3° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Farewell Spit this week:

The surf forecast for Farewell Spit over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jan 13) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Farewell Spit in the next 12 days are 3.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jan 12) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Jan 13) at 10PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Tue 13th Jan)4ft (1.2m) 12s
Best Surf 1AM (Tue 13th Jan)4ft (1.2m) 12s
Most Powerful 1AM (Mon 12th Jan)11ft (3.5m) 12s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Farewell Spit over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 20°C on Sun afternoon, min 16°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Sat night, near gales from the NW by Sun night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon morning, min 14°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Tue afternoon, calm by Wed night).

Friday
09
Saturday
10
Sunday
11
Monday
12
Tuesday
13
Wednesday
14
Thursday
15
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
2
3
0
0
0
1
0
1
1
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.6
W
1.4
W
1.6
W
1.1
W
1.6
W
1.2
WNW
1.5
WNW
2.3
WNW
3.5
WNW
2.3
WNW
2.4
W
1.2
W
1.2
W
2
W
0.2
NNW
1.2
W
1.5
W
0.5
NW
0.4
W
0.5
W
0.7
W
Period(s) (?)1351691598912111112106139512151515
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)1239813671811169227277885319412561354383308255172351157172112209
Wind
(km/h)
30
WNW
35
W
40
W
30
W
40
WNW
30
WNW
35
WNW
40
WNW
55
NW
35
WSW
30
WSW
10
ESE
15
W
45
W
50
W
25
WSW
40
W
5
SW
15
SE
20
ESE
10
S
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
crosscrosscrosscrosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscrosscrosscross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
3:11PM
3.00
3:38AM
2.76
3:57PM
2.80
4:28AM
2.62
4:47PM
2.62
5:23AM
2.50
5:45PM
2.48
6:26AM
2.45
6:49PM
2.42
7:31AM
2.46
7:55PM
2.44
8:31AM
2.55
8:53PM
2.53
Low Tide
/ height (m)
9:30PM
0.48
9:46AM
0.64
10:17PM
0.65
10:37AM
0.82
11:09PM
0.80
11:35AM
0.96
12:07AM
0.90
12:39PM
1.03
1:10AM
0.94
1:45PM
1.02
2:11AM
0.90
2:45PM
0.93
3:06AM
0.80
Friday
09
Saturday
10
Sunday
11
Monday
12
Tuesday
13
Wednesday
14
Thursday
15
Sunrise6:07--6:09--6:09--6:11--6:11--6:13--6:15--
Sunset-9:01--9:01--9:00--9:00--9:00--9:00--9:00-
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
--------4------------
Temp. °C181917171918192019181715161615161716161717
Feels °C (?)141511121415141412121111966121011141516
  • 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 Farewell Spit Surf forecast

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

Are you planning a holiday in Nelson - West Coast? If you are looking for accommodation near Farewell Spit, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Nelson - West Coast, consider staying in Nelson which is 96 km (60 miles) away.

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