Farewell Spit Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.51° S 172.76° E

Farewell Spit Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 26 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Farewell Spit sea temperature is
13.6°C
0.3° 

Farewell Spit surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Farewell Spit surf forecast from 26 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 29 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 14s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 28 Sep, 4PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 18s period, W swell with 3,759 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 29 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 14s period with W swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Farewell Spit this week:

The surf forecast for Farewell Spit over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 29) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 14s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Farewell Spit in the next 16 days are 2.5m 18s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 28) 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 2.0m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Oct 03) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Tue 29th Sep)5.5ft (1.7m) 14s
Best Surf10PM (Tue 29th Sep)5.5ft (1.7m) 14s
Most Powerful 4PM (Mon 28th Sep)8ft (2.5m) 18s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Farewell Spit over the next 16 days.


Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat night, min 10°C on Sun afternoon). Winds increasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Sat morning, gales from the WNW by Sun morning).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Tue afternoon, min 9°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, strong winds from the W by Wed afternoon).

Saturday
26
Sunday
27
Monday
28
Tuesday
29
Wednesday
30
Thursday
1
Friday
2
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
0
0
0
0
2
1
0
1
3
3
3
3
0
0
1
0
3
1
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
W
8
1.4
W
12
1.6
WNW
7
3.5
WNW
8
3.5
W
10
2.5
W
11
2.4
W
11
2.5
W
18
2.1
W
9
1.9
W
15
1.7
W
14
1.5
W
14
1.3
W
14
1.9
W
14
0.4
NW
4
0.7
W
15
2
W
6
0.7
W
16
0.9
W
16
2.4
W
6
0.4
NW
4
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
148
566
259
1415
2053
1412
1271
3759
691
1555
1147
919
691
1391
10
218
308
254
406
441
5
Wind (km/h)
30
WSW
30
W
30
W
65
WNW
55
WSW
30
WSW
45
WSW
50
WSW
35
WSW
15
SW
25
WSW
10
SSW
15
WSW
45
W
40
WSW
20
WSW
35
WSW
15
WSW
30
WSW
50
W
50
W
Wind State
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
High Tide
9:33AM3.14m
9:47PM3.30m
10:08AM3.28m
10:23PM3.39m
10:45AM3.37m
11:00PM3.42m
11:23AM3.38m
11:40PM3.37m
12:03PM3.33m
00:22AM3.25m
12:47PM3.20m
1:09AM3.06m
1:37PM3.02m
2:04AM2.84m
Low Tide
3:39PM0.20m
4:01AM0.05m
4:16PM0.09m
4:37AM-0.04m
4:54PM0.04m
5:14AM-0.04m
5:33PM0.06m
5:54AM0.03m
6:15PM0.15m
6:37AM0.17m
7:02PM0.31m
7:25AM0.37m
7:56PM0.50m
cloud
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:11
—
—
7:09
—
—
6:09
—
—
6:07
—
—
6:05
—
—
6:03
—
—
6:01
—
—
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
—
6:29
—
—
7:30
—
—
6:30
—
—
6:31
—
—
6:32
—
—
6:34
—
—
6:35
—
 mm
—
1
2
2
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Temp °C
12
13
14
14
11
10
12
12
11
12
13
13
11
11
10
12
13
12
12
12
12
Feels °C
4
7
5
2
-1
1
2
2
3
10
8
9
4
2
1
6
8
10
4
2
3
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
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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 16 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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