Farewell Spit surf break

Farewell Spit surfForecast / Nelson – West Coast / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 pm Monday 02 Feb 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
18.5° 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 (Feb 04) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 1.5m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Farewell Spit in the next 12 days are 3.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Feb 03) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 6s period and expected on Friday (Feb 06) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Wed 4th Feb)5ft (1.5m) 12s
Best Surf 4AM (Wed 4th Feb)5ft (1.5m) 12s
Most Powerful10PM (Tue 3rd Feb)10ft (3.0m) 11s

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

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 48mm), heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon afternoon, min 15°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SE on Tue night, calm by Wed night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri afternoon, min 15°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Thu morning, near gales from the W by Fri afternoon).

Monday
02
Tuesday
03
Wednesday
04
Thursday
05
Friday
06
Saturday
07
Sunday
08
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
2
2
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.5
W
0.5
W
0.6
W
1.3
N
2.2
NW
1.6
W
1.3
W
1.4
W
1.1
W
0.9
W
1
W
0.3
NNW
0.3
N
2.2
W
0.3
N
1.2
W
1.7
W
1.4
W
0.9
W
0.8
W
0.7
W
Period(s) (?)12121268121212121111151461311513141313
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)7272101112617797469519319205240423738432332147673320229163
Wind
(km/h)
30
WNW
30
NW
10
NW
25
N
35
N
30
SE
5
N
15
NNW
5
NNE
5
NNW
35
W
40
WSW
40
WSW
55
W
40
W
35
W
45
W
35
W
35
W
45
W
35
W
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
ononcross-
off
oncross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
crosscrosscrosscrosscrosscross
High Tide
/ height (m)
11:14AM
3.39
11:37PM
3.25
11:58AM
3.47
12:19AM
3.29
12:38PM
3.47
12:59AM
3.26
1:17PM
3.39
1:37AM
3.17
1:54PM
3.24
2:15AM
3.04
2:31PM
3.05
2:54AM
2.88
3:10PM
2.84
3:35AM
2.70
Low Tide
/ height (m)
5:29PM
0.07
5:44AM
0.04
6:12PM
-0.00
6:26AM
0.02
6:53PM
0.00
7:06AM
0.07
7:31PM
0.08
7:45AM
0.19
8:09PM
0.22
8:23AM
0.37
8:46PM
0.40
9:03AM
0.57
9:26PM
0.61
Monday
02
Tuesday
03
Wednesday
04
Thursday
05
Friday
06
Saturday
07
Sunday
08
Sunrise6:35--6:37--6:39--6:39--6:41--6:43--6:43--
Sunset-8:46--8:45--8:45--8:44--8:43--8:42--8:40-
part cloud
part cloud
heavy rain
rain showers
heavy rain
heavy rain
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
--1741413---------------
Temp. °C171818181716161516161717181918191919191918
Feels °C (?)11141415101415121516111191014131214151314
  • 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 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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