Farewell Spit surf break

Farewell Spit surfForecast / Nelson – West Coast / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 am Tuesday 21 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
17.0° 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 Wednesday (Apr 22) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 13s period. 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 1.6m 14s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Apr 27) 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 1.9m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Apr 26) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Wed 22nd Apr)1.5ft (0.4m) 13s
Best Surf 9PM (Mon 27th Apr)5.5ft (1.7m) 13s
Most Powerful 3AM (Mon 27th Apr)5ft (1.6m) 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 Mostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Tue afternoon, min 10°C on Tue morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SE on Tue morning, calm by Wed night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun afternoon, min 11°C on Fri morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the SW on Fri morning, strong winds from the W by Sun morning).

Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
2
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.5
W
0.4
WNW
0.2
W
0.4
W
0.3
W
0.3
W
0.3
W
0.4
W
0.6
W
0.6
W
0.5
W
0.3
WNW
0.7
W
0.9
W
0.8
W
0.6
W
2
W
0.1
W
0.9
W
1.5
W
0.1
NW
Period(s) (?)12121615141318181614142016161413615131314
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)7146217137315896178146997526439125712130442847847
Wind
(km/h)
40
SE
30
ESE
25
SE
20
SE
20
ESE
5
WSW
10
E
5
N
5
W
15
WSW
15
WSW
10
SSW
10
SSW
15
SW
25
SW
50
W
40
W
35
W
35
W
35
W
10
SW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
glasscrossoncrosscross-
off
cross-
off
offcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
crosscrosscrosscross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
12:37PM
3.22
1:03AM
3.24
1:30PM
3.01
1:59AM
3.04
2:31PM
2.78
3:04AM
2.86
3:42PM
2.61
4:19AM
2.74
5:02PM
2.55
5:35AM
2.73
6:15PM
2.60
6:41AM
2.79
7:16PM
2.72
Low Tide
/ height (m)
6:50PM
0.18
7:22AM
0.30
7:44PM
0.40
8:21AM
0.50
8:45PM
0.60
9:30AM
0.66
9:56PM
0.75
10:46AM
0.73
11:13PM
0.79
11:59AM
0.70
12:23AM
0.74
1:01PM
0.59
1:22AM
0.63
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Sunrise7:03--7:05--7:05--7:07--7:07--7:09--7:09--
Sunset-5:50--5:49--5:47--5:45--5:45--5:44--5:42-
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
Rain (mm)
---------------------
Temp. °C111313121212121212121413131414151616161715
Feels °C (?)3665610910101011111111661010101213
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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