Farewell Spit surf break

Farewell Spit surfForecast / Nelson – West Coast / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 am Sunday 31 May 2026 NZST
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
15.6° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)

Farewell Spit surf forecast from 31 May 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 6 Jun, 3AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 12s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 1 Jun, 9PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 10s period, N swell with 2,984 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 6 Jun, 3AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 12s 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 Saturday (Jun 06) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 7s. 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 4.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jun 01) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Jun 03) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Sat 6th Jun)5.5ft (1.7m) 12s
Best Surf 3AM (Sat 6th Jun)5.5ft (1.7m) 12s
Most Powerful 9PM (Mon 1st Jun)13ft (4.0m) 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

Heavy rain (total 56mm), heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon morning, min 14°C on Tue afternoon). Mainly near gales.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 24mm), heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu night, min 13°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NNW on Thu afternoon, light winds from the SSE by Fri night).

Sunday
31
Monday
1
Tuesday
2
Wednesday
3
Thursday
4
Friday
5
Saturday
6
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
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
3
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)
3
N
8
3.5
N
9
4
N
10
3.5
N
10
3.5
N
10
3.5
N
10
2.1
N
9
1.5
N
8
1.4
W
7
1
W
13
1.1
W
12
0.7
W
10
0.5
W
7
1.7
NNW
7
2.5
NNW
8
1.7
NW
9
2.1
NNW
8
1.5
NW
9
1.5
WNW
11
1.5
WNW
10
1.5
NW
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1060
2106
2749
2639
2508
2692
716
311
176
311
341
104
26
247
681
430
572
349
485
473
398
Wind (km/h)
45
N
55
N
50
NNE
50
N
45
NNE
45
N
25
W
35
W
35
WSW
35
WSW
30
W
20
WNW
35
NNW
40
NNW
30
NW
35
NW
30
WNW
15
WNW
5
SSE
35
WSW
45
WSW
on
on
on
on
on
on
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
9:48AM2.90m
10:10PM3.02m
10:26AM2.91m
10:47PM3.03m
11:04AM2.90m
11:25PM3.01m
11:42AM2.86m
00:04AM2.97m
12:21PM2.80m
00:43AM2.91m
1:02PM2.72m
1:25AM2.85m
1:47PM2.65m
2:10AM2.79m
Low Tide
3:58PM0.44m
4:22AM0.49m
4:36PM0.43m
5:00AM0.49m
5:14PM0.45m
5:39AM0.51m
5:52PM0.49m
6:19AM0.56m
6:31PM0.55m
7:00AM0.61m
7:13PM0.61m
7:43AM0.66m
7:57PM0.68m
cloud
mod rain
heavy rain
light rain
mod rain
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:41
7:41
7:43
7:43
7:43
7:45
7:45
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:10
5:09
5:09
5:09
5:08
5:08
5:08
7
15
5
8
21
1
3
4
12
4
Temp °C
15
16
16
17
17
17
15
15
14
15
15
15
16
16
17
16
16
15
14
15
14
7
8
8
10
10
14
11
9
7
10
9
11
9
9
10
10
11
13
10
8
6
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
W
12
0.2
W
13
0.2
W
13
0.3
W
12
0.4
WNW
11
0.4
WNW
10
2.1
N
9
1.5
N
8
0.9
N
10
0.4
N
9
0.4
N
9
0.7
W
10
0.5
W
7
0.2
W
12
1.4
WNW
10
1.2
NNE
7
0.2
N
11
1.5
NW
9
1.5
WNW
11
1.5
WNW
10
1.5
NW
10
Energy kJ
12
13
13
26
40
30
716
311
153
26
25
104
26
11
373
164
9
349
485
473
398
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
W
12
0.5
W
8
0.1
W
16
0.3
W
15
0.4
N
7
0.2
N
13
0.3
NNW
8
0.3
W
9
0.1
W
15
0.2
N
11
0.3
N
11
0.2
W
13
0.9
WNW
12
1.2
N
7
1
N
8
0.2
W
18
Energy kJ
26
35
5
38
14
13
13
16
4
10
21
14
248
156
110
25
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
W
17
0.2
NNW
7
0.3
NW
7
0.1
W
18
0.3
NW
7
0.2
N
12
0.2
W
13
0.1
W
16
0.9
NNE
7
0.3
NW
9
0.2
W
19
0.1
N
10
Energy kJ
6
5
8
6
7
11
14
5
79
12
28
2
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
N
8
3.5
N
9
4
N
10
3.5
N
10
3.5
N
10
3.5
N
10
0.7
WNW
8
1
WNW
8
1.4
W
7
1
W
13
1.1
W
12
0.4
WNW
3
0.8
NNW
4
1.7
NNW
7
2.5
NNW
8
1.7
NW
9
2.1
NNW
8
Energy kJ
1060
2106
2749
2639
2508
2692
59
140
176
311
341
4
22
247
681
430
572
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
4
4
1
1
1
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
4
3
1
1
Distance (km)
115
115
115
115
115
115
83
90
91
115
115
39
115
212
83
91
90
39
0
93
91
Best forecast wave conditions in Nelson - West Coast
Rating
(10 max)
2
4
3
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
2
3
3
2
2
4
4
3
1
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
7
7
6
5
5
4
5
5
6
4
4
5
5
5
4
5
8
5
5
7
9
  • 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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