Farewell Spit Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.51° S 172.76° E

Issued: 5 pm 20 Jun 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Farewell Spit sea temperature is
14.8° C

Slightly warmer than usual

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 20 Jun 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 22 Jun, 3AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 9s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 21 Jun, 3AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 10s period, WNW swell with 1,567 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 22 Jun, 3AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 9s period with WNW 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 (Jun 22) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 15s. 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 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jun 21) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 8s period and expected on Thursday (Jun 25) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Mon 22nd Jun)4.5ft (1.3m) 9s
Best Surf 3AM (Mon 22nd Jun)4.5ft (1.3m) 9s
Most Powerful 3AM (Sun 21st Jun)8ft (2.5m) 10s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 10°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (near gales from the NW on Sat night, light winds from the S by Sun night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 70mm), heaviest during Wed morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed afternoon, min 8°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the ENE on Wed morning, light winds from the SSW by Fri morning).

Sat
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
Thursday
25
Friday
26
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
0
2
2
0
0
2
2
2
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
2
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.1
WNW
6
3
WNW
8
2.3
WNW
10
2
WNW
10
1.5
WNW
10
1
WNW
9
0.5
W
15
0.7
W
14
0.7
W
14
0.7
W
14
0.6
W
14
1.2
N
7
1.8
N
8
1.2
N
8
0.7
W
13
0.7
W
13
0.8
W
12
0.7
W
12
0.8
W
15
0.8
W
14
0.7
W
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
322
1367
1104
804
383
173
104
195
187
200
150
146
439
182
176
168
187
146
275
257
176
Wind (km/h)
50
WNW
30
WSW
30
W
35
W
25
E
10
SE
10
ESE
15
SE
20
ESE
10
ENE
30
SE
35
E
35
NE
20
NNE
45
E
35
SSE
40
SE
10
SSW
15
ESE
10
SE
5
SW
Wind State
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
High Tide
2:27AM3.09m
2:57PM2.82m
3:20AM2.92m
3:54PM2.70m
4:16AM2.76m
4:53PM2.62m
5:14AM2.65m
5:52PM2.59m
6:12AM2.59m
6:48PM2.61m
7:08AM2.59m
7:40PM2.67m
7:59AM2.63m
Low Tide
8:11PM0.38m
8:47AM0.40m
9:06PM0.55m
9:42AM0.54m
10:03PM0.70m
10:37AM0.65m
11:02PM0.81m
11:34AM0.73m
00:02AM0.86m
12:30PM0.76m
1:00AM0.86m
1:23PM0.74m
1:52AM0.81m
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
mod rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
mod rain
light rain
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:52
7:52
7:52
7:52
7:52
7:52
7:52
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:07
5:07
5:08
5:08
5:08
5:08
5:09
5:09
 mm
10
2
8
20
18
12
9
3
1
Temp °C
16
16
14
14
13
11
11
12
11
13
13
13
14
14
13
11
11
9
8
8
9
Feels °C
8
7
10
8
8
8
9
10
7
8
7
7
8
9
7
3
2
6
4
5
7
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.3
WNW
10
0.4
W
16
1.5
WNW
10
1
WNW
9
0.8
WNW
9
0.7
W
14
0.7
W
14
0.7
W
14
1.1
NNE
6
1.2
N
7
1.8
N
8
1.2
N
8
0.7
W
13
0.7
W
13
0.8
W
12
0.7
W
12
0.8
W
15
0.8
W
14
0.7
W
13
Energy kJ
1104
81
383
173
99
195
187
200
87
146
439
182
176
168
187
146
275
257
176
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
W
17
0.4
NW
10
0.5
W
16
0.4
W
15
0.5
W
15
0.7
WNW
8
0.4
WNW
8
0.7
NNE
4
0.6
W
14
0.5
W
14
0.5
W
14
0.6
W
15
0.4
NNW
8
0.3
NNW
8
0.2
N
7
0.2
W
17
0.1
W
20
0.3
W
18
Energy kJ
93
35
126
67
104
62
26
17
150
101
97
155
26
11
4
23
8
56
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
W
17
0.1
W
16
0.1
W
16
0.4
ESE
4
0.4
WSW
8
0.1
W
16
0.1
W
14
0.4
NW
8
0.2
WNW
7
0.1
NW
7
0.1
NW
8
0.4
NNE
7
0.1
W
14
Energy kJ
6
5
5
6
26
5
4
15
5
2
3
18
4
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.1
WNW
6
3
WNW
8
2
WNW
10
0.5
SE
4
0.4
ESE
4
0.4
E
4
0.7
E
4
0.8
E
4
1.3
E
5
2
ESE
6
3
ESE
7
3.5
ESE
8
3.5
ESE
8
3
ESE
7
2.2
ESE
7
1.9
SE
6
1.1
ESE
6
Energy kJ
322
1367
804
7
6
5
14
20
81
282
888
1672
1219
856
458
269
82
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
1
1
3
2
2
2
2
3
2
1
2
1
2
2
2
1
2
2
2
Distance (km)
186
93
91
91
17
0
0
0
17
17
115
91
115
91
115
17
26
0
0
0
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Nelson - West Coast
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
1
4
7
6
5
4
4
2
2
4
3
3
3
5
4
3
4
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
8
9
6
4
7
6
6
5
5
5
7
8
6
5
5
5
5
5
5
6
  • 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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