Surf Forecasts:
Farewell Spit surf forecast from 2 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 7 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 10s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, WNW swell with 5,659 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 7 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 10s 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 (Sep 07) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m 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 3.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 6PM. 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 Wednesday (Sep 09) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Sun 6th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Farewell Spit over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Thu night. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu night, min 11°C on Fri afternoon). Winds increasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Thu afternoon, near gales from the W by Fri afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 30mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun afternoon, min 11°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the NNW on Sun morning, light winds from the NW by Mon morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 17 | W 14 | W 15 | WNW 8 | WNW 6 | W 15 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | W 10 | W 14 | W 14 | W 16 | WNW 17 | W 17 | WNW 16 | WNW 11 | WNW 14 | W 13 | W 12 | W 11 | W 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
3164 | 1653 | 1209 | 256 | 279 | 517 | 1848 | 1761 | 1999 | 3436 | 3066 | 2875 | 4340 | 1586 | 5002 | 1643 | 2890 | 1932 | 1031 | 418 | 1117 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | glassy |
High Tide | 1:07PM3.11m | 1:26AM3.07m | 1:53PM2.97m | 2:16AM2.88m | 2:49PM2.81m | 3:19AM2.69m | 4:00PM2.68m | 4:39AM2.57m | 5:25PM2.66m | 6:06AM2.60m | 6:45PM2.79m | 7:20AM2.75m | 7:50PM2.99m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:19PM0.35m | 7:43AM0.36m | 8:08PM0.52m | 8:36AM0.55m | 9:09PM0.70m | 9:42AM0.72m | 10:25PM0.81m | 11:02AM0.80m | 11:50PM0.79m | 12:23PM0.73m | 1:07AM0.63m | 1:32PM0.55m | 2:08AM0.41m | ||||||||
6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | |
— | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:10 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 11 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 4 | 15 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 |
Feels °C | 3 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 6 | — | — | W 14 | W 14 | W 15 | — | N 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | — | W 16 | WNW 17 | W 17 | — | WNW 11 | E 6 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | W 11 | W 12 |
12 | — | — | 203 | 199 | 517 | — | 220 | 141 | 59 | — | 2875 | 1927 | 1586 | — | 1643 | 6 | 116 | 73 | 418 | 1117 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 14 | — | — | — | W 10 | — | — | — | NW 11 | NW 15 | — | NNW 8 | — | — | — | W 15 | — | E 5 | NW 12 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 |
20 | — | — | — | 55 | — | — | — | 31 | 106 | — | 13 | — | — | — | 711 | — | 13 | 37 | 88 | 52 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 5 | — | W 22 | W 21 |
12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | — | 9 | 36 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 17 | W 14 | W 15 | WNW 8 | WNW 6 | NW 6 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | W 10 | W 14 | W 14 | NW 8 | WNW 17 | NW 8 | WNW 16 | — | WNW 14 | W 13 | W 12 | NNW 8 | E 3 |
3164 | 1653 | 1209 | 256 | 279 | 331 | 1848 | 1761 | 1999 | 3436 | 3066 | 173 | 4340 | 838 | 5002 | — | 2890 | 1932 | 1031 | 45 | 7 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 115 | 147 | 147 | 91 | 90 | 90 | 83 | 207 | 365 | 93 | 91 | 186 | 186 | 258 | 90 | 90 | 177 | 91 | 93 | 182 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Nelson - West Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Live Wave Height (m)
Live 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.











