Farewell Spit Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.51° S 172.76° E

Farewell Spit Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 am 20 Oct 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Farewell Spit sea temperature is
14.3°C
0.5° 

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 19 Oct 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 21 Oct, 4AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 17s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 24 Oct, 1PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 19s period, W swell with 2,644 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 21 Oct, 1AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 17s 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 Wednesday (Oct 21) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 13s. 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 1.9m 19s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Oct 24) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Oct 20) at 10PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Wed 21st Oct)1.5ft (0.5m) 17s
Best Surf 4AM (Wed 21st Oct)3ft (0.9m) 17s
Most Powerful 1PM (Sat 24th Oct)6ft (1.9m) 19s

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


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed morning, fresh winds from the WSW by Thu morning).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu night, min 12°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, strong winds from the W by Sat afternoon).

Tuesday
20
Wednesday
21
Thursday
22
Friday
23
Saturday
24
Sunday
25
Monday
26
AM
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
2
2
2
2
1
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
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)
0.9
WSW
13
0.8
WSW
13
0.5
W
17
0.9
W
15
0.9
W
16
0.7
W
14
0.6
W
14
1.8
W
7
0.5
W
13
0.5
W
12
0.5
W
16
1.1
W
17
1.8
W
16
1.9
W
19
1.7
W
18
1.4
W
16
1.6
W
18
2
WNW
16
2.4
WNW
14
2.5
WNW
8
3
NW
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
290
222
148
377
391
194
132
293
84
76
127
702
1565
2637
1741
923
1579
1913
2297
828
1132
Wind (km/h)
10
NNE
20
WNW
15
WSW
0
NNW
15
W
5
SSW
20
WSW
30
WSW
5
W
5
ENE
25
WSW
30
WSW
50
W
50
W
45
W
40
W
45
W
30
W
35
WNW
35
NW
50
NW
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
5:37AM2.29m
6:13PM2.43m
6:50AM2.37m
7:17PM2.56m
7:49AM2.54m
8:08PM2.74m
8:37AM2.75m
8:53PM2.94m
9:19AM2.97m
9:34PM3.13m
9:59AM3.17m
10:15PM3.28m
10:39AM3.33m
10:55PM3.38m
Low Tide
11:51AM1.06m
00:37AM0.99m
1:00PM0.96m
1:37AM0.81m
1:56PM0.79m
2:26AM0.60m
2:43PM0.60m
3:08AM0.38m
3:26PM0.39m
3:49AM0.18m
4:08PM0.22m
4:29AM0.03m
4:49PM0.09m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:33
—
—
6:33
—
—
6:31
—
—
6:30
—
—
6:28
—
—
6:26
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—
6:26
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—
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
—
7:52
—
—
7:53
—
—
7:54
—
—
7:57
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—
7:58
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—
7:59
—
—
8:00
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 mm
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
7
Temp °C
12
13
13
13
17
15
15
15
16
14
15
15
14
13
12
14
14
14
15
15
15
Feels °C
10
7
9
11
14
13
8
9
14
14
11
12
5
3
3
5
5
8
9
9
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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