Farewell Spit Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.51° S 172.76° E

Farewell Spit Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 6 pm 06 Oct 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Farewell Spit sea temperature is
13.4°C
0.0° 

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 6 Oct 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 8 Oct, 4PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 15s period, W swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 13 Oct, 4PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 17s period, WNW swell with 2,187 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 8 Oct, 1AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s 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 Thursday (Oct 08) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 4s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Farewell Spit in the next 16 days are 1.9m 17s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Oct 13) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 7s period and expected on Thursday (Oct 08) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Thu 8th Oct)3ft (0.9m) 16s
Best Surf 4PM (Thu 8th Oct)3.5ft (1.1m) 15s
Most Powerful 4PM (Tue 13th Oct)6ft (1.9m) 17s

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


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed afternoon, min 10°C on Tue afternoon). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Tue afternoon, calm by Thu afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri night, min 13°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the N on Sun morning, light winds from the SE by Mon morning).

Tue
6
Wednesday
7
Thursday
8
Friday
9
Saturday
10
Sunday
11
Monday
12
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
2
1
3
1
2
2
2
2
3
1
0
1
1
2
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)
1.3
W
16
0.9
W
16
0.9
W
17
0.9
W
16
0.9
W
16
0.9
W
16
1.1
W
15
1.1
W
15
1.5
W
16
1.3
W
16
1.1
W
15
1
W
16
1
W
16
0.9
W
16
2.2
N
8
2
N
8
1.1
NW
8
1.1
NW
8
0.4
W
18
0.5
W
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
924
407
475
432
402
396
520
541
1187
817
548
501
507
401
573
463
169
147
99
129
Wind (km/h)
40
WNW
30
W
30
WNW
35
WNW
15
SSW
10
ENE
5
ESE
30
ESE
30
ESE
20
ESE
20
SE
20
SE
15
ESE
15
NE
40
N
20
NNW
10
W
5
SE
20
NW
20
WNW
Wind State
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
off
cross
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross
High Tide
7:32PM2.81m
8:08AM2.75m
8:33PM2.98m
9:03AM2.94m
9:22PM3.14m
9:48AM3.10m
10:05PM3.25m
10:28AM3.23m
10:44PM3.31m
11:06AM3.30m
11:21PM3.31m
11:41AM3.30m
11:56PM3.25m
Low Tide
1:54AM0.58m
2:16PM0.56m
2:50AM0.39m
3:09PM0.39m
3:37AM0.22m
3:55PM0.24m
4:18AM0.10m
4:36PM0.15m
4:56AM0.04m
5:14PM0.12m
5:32AM0.06m
5:51PM0.15m
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
heavy rain
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
—
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6:54
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6:52
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6:52
—
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6:50
—
—
6:48
—
—
6:47
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<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:37
—
—
7:38
—
—
7:39
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7:40
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7:42
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7:43
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7:44
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 mm
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
11
3
1
—
—
—
—
Temp °C
10
11
13
14
14
12
14
14
13
14
15
14
15
15
14
15
15
15
15
15
Feels °C
2
5
7
8
10
10
10
8
7
10
12
11
13
13
9
13
13
15
12
12
  • 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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