Farewell Spit Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.51° S 172.76° E

Farewell Spit Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 23 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Farewell Spit sea temperature is
14.0° 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 23 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 15s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 14s period, W swell with 6,249 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 25 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 15s 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 Saturday (Jul 25) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m 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 4.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 26) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Sat 25th Jul)11ft (3.5m) 15s
Best Surf 6PM (Sat 25th Jul)11ft (3.5m) 15s
Most Powerful 3PM (Sat 25th Jul)13ft (4.0m) 14s

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


Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Thu night. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri morning, min 8°C on Sun morning). Winds decreasing (near gales from the NNW on Thu night, light winds from the N by Sun afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Wed morning, min 8°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue morning, fresh winds from the WNW by Wed afternoon).

Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
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
4
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
1
0
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)
0.6
W
13
3
NW
8
2.5
NW
8
0.9
W
17
3.5
W
10
4
W
14
2.5
W
15
1.9
W
14
1.6
W
14
1.7
W
13
1.5
W
13
1.3
WNW
12
1.1
W
12
1
W
11
1.6
W
5
0.7
W
10
1
W
11
1.4
W
14
2.1
WNW
17
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
119
1125
919
464
2170
6249
3185
1525
1057
1034
713
511
327
240
136
106
233
714
2500
Wind (km/h)
40
NW
45
NNW
35
WNW
30
WNW
50
WSW
45
WSW
20
SW
25
SE
10
E
15
WSW
10
SSW
15
SW
5
WSW
5
SSE
10
WSW
25
WSW
30
W
35
WNW
50
NW
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
High Tide
5:25AM2.44m
6:06PM2.47m
6:32AM2.42m
7:10PM2.52m
7:34AM2.48m
8:05PM2.63m
8:26AM2.59m
8:53PM2.77m
9:12AM2.72m
9:35PM2.91m
9:52AM2.85m
10:13PM3.04m
Low Tide
11:15PM0.99m
11:45AM0.93m
00:22AM1.02m
12:49PM0.93m
1:25AM0.96m
1:47PM0.85m
2:19AM0.85m
2:37PM0.73m
3:06AM0.70m
3:20PM0.59m
3:47AM0.56m
4:00PM0.45m
rain showers
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
light rain
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:41
7:41
7:41
7:39
7:39
7:37
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:28
5:29
5:30
5:30
5:31
5:31
 mm
5
7
1
5
1
8
Temp °C
13
14
14
12
10
11
10
9
10
10
10
11
9
9
11
11
13
13
13
Feels °C
6
7
7
5
-1
0
2
3
8
6
6
7
6
7
9
5
6
6
4
  • 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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