Farewell Spit surf break

Farewell Spit surfForecast / Nelson – West Coast / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 am Wednesday 11 Mar 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
18.4° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)

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 Wednesday (Mar 11) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Farewell Spit in the next 12 days are 1.6m 15s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Mar 16) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 6s period and expected on Monday (Mar 16) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Wed 11th Mar)1.5ft (0.5m) 12s
Best Surf 1AM (Sun 15th Mar)6ft (1.8m) 10s
Most Powerful 7PM (Mon 16th Mar)5ft (1.6m) 15s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Moderate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Thu night. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri morning, min 13°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu morning, strong winds from the NNW by Fri morning).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri night, min 13°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun morning, strong winds from the W by Mon afternoon).

Wednesday
11
Thursday
12
Friday
13
Saturday
14
Sunday
15
Monday
16
Tue
17
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
3
3
3
3
2
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.8
W
0.6
W
0.5
W
0.8
N
0.6
N
0.4
NNW
0.8
NNW
1.7
N
1.5
N
1
W
1.5
W
2
W
1.8
W
1.8
W
2.1
W
0.9
W
1.7
W
0.2
N
0.8
W
0.6
W
1.5
W
Period(s) (?)131313771412771278101012121312171616
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)2291238261327615829423029222548863568711742351034113811851121
Wind
(km/h)
35
ESE
20
ESE
15
E
5
S
0
E
25
NW
25
N
40
NNW
25
NW
30
W
5
E
25
WSW
5
WSW
10
S
20
WSW
10
SW
30
WSW
50
W
40
W
35
W
40
W
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
off
crossoffglasscross-
on
ononcross-
on
crosscrosscross-
off
glassoffcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscrosscrosscross
High Tide
/ height (m)
3:36AM
2.57
3:59PM
2.43
4:34AM
2.41
5:06PM
2.29
5:53AM
2.32
6:33PM
2.25
7:18AM
2.38
7:52PM
2.36
8:23AM
2.56
8:50PM
2.56
9:12AM
2.79
9:35PM
2.79
9:54AM
3.02
Low Tide
/ height (m)
9:53AM
0.96
10:18PM
1.00
10:57AM
1.12
11:29PM
1.12
12:20PM
1.17
12:53AM
1.10
1:40PM
1.06
2:04AM
0.95
2:40PM
0.85
2:58AM
0.74
3:27PM
0.60
3:42AM
0.51
4:08PM
0.34
Wednesday
11
Thursday
12
Friday
13
Saturday
14
Sunday
15
Monday
16
Tue
17
Sunrise-7:20--7:20--7:22--7:24--7:24--7:26--7:26-
Sunset--7:55--7:54--7:52--7:52--7:50--7:47--7:46
part cloud
cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
mod rain
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
------1041-2----------
Temp. °C151415151617181919181818161517161717171818
Feels °C (?)710121516131516171614131515141399101212
  • 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 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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