Surf Forecasts:
Farewell Spit surf forecast from 15 Nov 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 19 Nov, 4AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 13s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 18 Nov, 10PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 14s period, W swell with 1,633 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 19 Nov, 4AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 13s 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 Thursday (Nov 19) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 8s. 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 2.1m 14s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Nov 18) 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 2.0m 6s period and expected on Friday (Nov 27) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Thu 19th Nov) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Thu 19th Nov) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Wed 18th Nov) | 7ft (2.1m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Farewell Spit over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon morning, min 12°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (moderate winds from the WNW on Sun night, near gales from the W by Tue afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri afternoon, min 10°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Wed morning, light winds from the E by Wed night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 15 | Monday 16 | Tuesday 17 | Wednesday 18 | Thursday 19 | Friday 20 | Saturday 21 | |||||||||||||||
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 12 | W 4 | W 17 | WNW 9 | NW 7 | NW 9 | WNW 8 | W 7 | W 6 | W 14 | W 6 | W 9 | W 13 | W 13 | W 13 | W 13 | W 13 | W 13 | W 13 | W 13 | WSW 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 333 | 41 | 50 | 402 | 656 | 673 | 385 | 687 | 314 | 1196 | 272 | 384 | 839 | 852 | 694 | 430 | 194 | 125 | 125 | 173 | 54 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:28PM2.74m | 2:51AM2.54m | 3:17PM2.63m | 3:45AM2.44m | 4:13PM2.55m | 4:48AM2.39m | 5:15PM2.54m | 5:54AM2.43m | 6:17PM2.60m | 6:55AM2.55m | 7:15PM2.71m | 7:50AM2.73m | 8:08PM2.87m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:47PM0.79m | 9:03AM0.83m | 9:40PM0.88m | 9:57AM0.92m | 10:39PM0.91m | 10:59AM0.96m | 11:41PM0.87m | 12:03PM0.92m | 00:41AM0.76m | 1:04PM0.82m | 1:36AM0.60m | 1:59PM0.66m | 2:26AM0.42m | ||||||||
 | |  |  |  |  | | |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:03 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — |
 | — | 8:23 | — | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:25 | — | — | 8:27 | — | — | 8:28 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:30 | — |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | 14 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
Feels °C | 8 | 8 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 19 | W 18 | W 11 | W 16 | — | NW 9 | W 15 | N 15 | N 15 | N 14 | N 13 | W 13 | W 13 | W 13 | W 13 | W 13 | W 13 | W 7 | W 6 | W 13 | WSW 13 |
| kJ | 28 | 25 | 22 | 82 | — | 673 | 209 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 345 | 839 | 852 | 694 | 430 | 173 | 92 | 31 | 173 | 54 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 12 | N 12 | W 17 | N 11 | — | W 15 | N 15 | N 11 | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | NW 8 | NW 8 | E 4 | NW 7 | N 7 | N 13 | W 13 | W 13 | N 12 | WSW 7 |
| kJ | 3 | 3 | 50 | 2 | — | 163 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 10 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 125 | 125 | 3 | 17 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | N 12 | N 18 | — | N 11 | N 11 | — | N 10 | NW 15 | N 10 | N 13 | N 12 | NW 8 | N 12 | N 12 | N 7 | N 13 | ESE 4 | N 12 | N 12 |
| kJ | — | — | 3 | 6 | — | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 12 | W 4 | WNW 6 | WNW 9 | NW 7 | — | WNW 8 | W 7 | W 6 | W 14 | W 6 | W 9 | E 5 | — | — | — | W 6 | — | — | ESE 4 | ESE 7 |
| kJ | 333 | 41 | 40 | 402 | 656 | — | 385 | 687 | 314 | 1196 | 272 | 384 | 16 | — | — | — | 194 | — | — | 6 | 232 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 93 | 207 | 39 | 217 | 212 | 91 | 91 | 191 | 147 | 191 | 254 | 209 | 17 | 194 | 0 | 0 | 194 | 3 | 0 | 171 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Nelson - West Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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