Farewell Spit Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.51° S 172.76° E

Farewell Spit Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 03 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Farewell Spit sea temperature is
13.8° 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 3 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 4 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 16s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 4 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 16s period, W swell with 1,531 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 4 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 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 Tuesday (Aug 04) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 1.5m 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 16 days are 1.8m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Tue 4th Aug)3.5ft (1.1m) 16s
Best Surf 9AM (Tue 4th Aug)3.5ft (1.1m) 16s
Most Powerful12PM (Tue 4th Aug)6ft (1.8m) 16s

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


Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 12°C on Mon night, min 7°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Mon night, calm by Tue afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 52mm), heaviest during Sat morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri night, min 10°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NNW on Fri afternoon, calm by Sat afternoon).

Tuesday
4
Wednesday
5
Thursday
6
Friday
7
Saturday
8
Sunday
9
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
4
0
3
2
0
2
1
0
1
0
0
2
2
1
1
2
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.4
W
17
1.1
W
16
1.7
W
15
1.3
W
14
0.9
W
13
0.7
W
13
0.7
W
15
0.4
W
14
0.4
WSW
13
0.2
W
19
0.6
WNW
8
1.6
NW
11
3
NW
9
1.8
NW
8
1.6
NW
8
1.3
NNW
8
1.3
NNW
8
1.2
NNW
8
0.6
W
17
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
3161
605
1212
682
280
166
209
62
58
29
50
593
1243
428
346
209
220
181
209
Wind (km/h)
45
WSW
15
SW
20
NE
5
SW
15
ESE
15
NW
15
SSE
10
SE
15
WNW
10
SW
20
NW
35
NNW
20
W
10
NNE
30
SSE
10
ENE
5
ESE
10
E
15
E
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
off
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross
High Tide
1:10AM3.14m
1:34PM2.98m
1:51AM3.04m
2:19PM2.89m
2:40AM2.91m
3:13PM2.79m
3:38AM2.77m
4:18PM2.71m
4:50AM2.68m
5:35PM2.70m
6:09AM2.68m
6:51PM2.81m
Low Tide
7:27AM0.29m
7:43PM0.43m
8:11AM0.39m
8:31PM0.55m
9:01AM0.52m
9:28PM0.68m
10:02AM0.64m
10:37PM0.77m
11:14AM0.70m
11:56PM0.76m
12:31PM0.65m
1:12AM0.63m
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
mod rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:31
7:31
7:30
7:28
7:26
7:26
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:37
5:38
5:39
5:40
5:42
5:43
 mm
3
1
7
11
23
11
Temp °C
12
10
9
9
8
10
9
8
11
11
12
12
13
11
10
11
11
11
11
Feels °C
3
6
8
7
5
5
5
6
5
5
6
5
6
9
3
9
9
8
8
  • 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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