Farewell Spit surf break

Farewell Spit surfForecast / Nelson – West Coast / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 am Wednesday 08 Apr 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
17.8° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)

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 Friday (Apr 10) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 14s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Farewell Spit in the next 16 days are 2.3m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Apr 14) at 3AM. 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 6s period and expected on Friday (Apr 10) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Fri 10th Apr)2ft (0.6m) 15s
Best Surf 6AM (Wed 15th Apr)5ft (1.6m) 12s
Most Powerful 3AM (Tue 14th Apr)7.5ft (2.3m) 14s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Some drizzle, heaviest during Wed morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed night, min 14°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Wed afternoon, calm by Thu night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 34mm), heaviest during Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun afternoon, min 15°C on Sat morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the SE on Sat afternoon, near gales from the W by Sun night).

Wednesday
08
Thursday
09
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
2.2
N
1.2
N
0.6
W
1
W
1.1
WNW
0.6
W
0.6
NNW
1
W
0.8
W
0.6
W
0.5
W
0.4
NNW
0.5
W
0.6
W
1.9
W
1.6
W
1.5
W
1.9
WNW
2.1
W
2
W
1.7
WNW
Period(s) (?)98988161512111091312126111115141312
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)7321636014016317616730515771415673100222617535164117291379876
Wind
(km/h)
25
W
35
W
20
WNW
20
WNW
30
W
35
WSW
20
SE
20
E
20
SE
20
ESE
20
SE
30
SE
35
SE
25
S
45
W
20
NNW
25
WNW
35
W
40
WNW
40
WNW
25
WNW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crosscrosscrosscrosscrosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offcrosscross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
on
crosscross
High Tide
/ height (m)
1:39PM
2.62
2:05AM
2.62
2:28PM
2.45
3:01AM
2.48
3:32PM
2.32
4:12AM
2.40
4:51PM
2.29
5:29AM
2.44
Low Tide
/ height (m)
7:53PM
0.80
8:24AM
0.92
8:45PM
0.96
9:25AM
1.05
9:51PM
1.06
10:40AM
1.08
11:08PM
1.05
Wednesday
08
Thursday
09
Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Sunrise6:50--6:50--6:52--6:52--6:54--6:54--6:56--
Sunset-6:09--6:07--6:07--6:05--6:04--6:01--6:00-
rain showers
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
light rain
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
mod rain
heavy rain
rain showers
rain showers
thunderstorm
part cloud
Rain (mm)
1----------51--812821-
Temp. °C171718181716161616151718181917171616161515
Feels °C (?)14111515121112131411141413158151310879
  • 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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