Farewell Spit Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.51° S 172.76° E

Farewell Spit Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 24 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Farewell Spit sea temperature is
13.7°C
0.6° 

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 24 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 31 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, W swell with 4,200 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 31 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s 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 Monday (Aug 31) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 9s period. 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 3.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 31) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Mon 31st Aug)11ft (3.5m) 9s
Best Surf12AM (Mon 31st Aug)11ft (3.5m) 9s
Most Powerful12PM (Mon 31st Aug)10ft (3.0m) 14s

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


Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Thu morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed night, min 10°C on Thu morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Tue afternoon, light winds from the NNW by Thu afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Fri morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri morning, min 11°C on Sat night). Mainly near gales.

Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
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
1
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
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)
2.5
W
15
2.1
W
15
1.9
W
15
1.8
W
14
1.7
W
14
2.1
W
14
0.9
W
13
1.4
W
13
1.2
WNW
10
2.2
NW
9
4
NNW
10
3
NNW
10
1.6
NW
9
1.9
W
10
1.9
W
9
0.7
W
18
0.8
W
18
2.4
W
16
3.5
W
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2721
1976
1513
1285
1179
1731
280
623
248
816
2936
1657
386
710
588
328
390
2911
1736
Wind (km/h)
45
W
40
W
40
W
40
WSW
30
WNW
45
WNW
25
WNW
30
E
15
SE
35
NNW
60
NNW
40
WNW
35
W
40
W
45
W
40
WSW
40
WSW
55
WSW
45
W
Wind State
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
on
on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
8:05AM2.55m
8:29PM2.75m
8:49AM2.73m
9:09PM2.94m
9:28AM2.90m
9:45PM3.11m
10:04AM3.05m
10:20PM3.24m
10:38AM3.16m
10:54PM3.33m
11:13AM3.23m
11:28PM3.36m
Low Tide
1:56AM0.88m
2:13PM0.76m
2:42AM0.68m
2:56PM0.57m
3:22AM0.48m
3:34PM0.40m
3:58AM0.30m
4:10PM0.25m
4:33AM0.16m
4:45PM0.16m
5:07AM0.07m
5:20PM0.12m
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:03
7:03
7:01
7:00
6:58
6:56
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:58
5:59
6:00
6:00
6:01
6:02
 mm
1
1
5
4
1
9
Temp °C
12
13
13
13
14
14
15
10
13
13
14
14
13
12
12
11
13
13
13
Feels °C
4
5
5
4
7
6
13
4
12
8
6
6
8
4
2
4
3
2
4
  • 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 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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