Farewell Spit surf break

Farewell Spit surfForecast / Nelson – West Coast / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 pm Monday 05 Jan 2026 NZDT
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
17.7° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Farewell Spit this week:

The surf forecast for Farewell Spit over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jan 08) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 5s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Farewell Spit in the next 12 days are 3.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jan 12) at 7AM. 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 Wednesday (Jan 07) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Thu 8th Jan)1.5ft (0.4m) 12s
Best Surf 1AM (Thu 8th Jan)1.5ft (0.4m) 12s
Most Powerful 7AM (Mon 12th Jan)10ft (3.0m) 9s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Farewell Spit over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed afternoon, min 15°C on Mon morning). Mainly near gales.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 17°C on Thu morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the ENE on Thu morning, strong winds from the W by Thu night).

Monday
05
Tuesday
06
Wednesday
07
Thursday
08
Friday
09
Saturday
10
Sunday
11
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.5
W
1.2
W
0.5
W
0.4
WSW
1.6
W
0.4
WSW
0.4
WSW
0.2
N
0.4
WSW
0.4
WSW
0.3
N
0.2
N
1.1
W
1.5
W
0.5
W
1.3
W
1.6
WNW
1.3
WNW
1.8
WNW
2
WNW
2.2
WNW
Period(s) (?)14141313512121412111414451612159121111
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)1035779257136494816474037164410613348811842769449331051
Wind
(km/h)
5
WSW
35
W
35
W
35
W
40
W
35
W
30
WSW
50
W
5
SW
5
ENE
25
WSW
45
WSW
40
W
35
WNW
40
W
35
WNW
40
WNW
30
WNW
45
WNW
55
WNW
50
W
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
glasscrosscrosscrosscrosscross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
crosscrosscrosscrosscrosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross
High Tide
/ height (m)
12:13PM
3.48
12:36AM
3.26
12:59PM
3.45
1:22AM
3.18
1:44PM
3.35
2:07AM
3.06
2:27PM
3.19
2:52AM
2.92
3:11PM
3.00
3:38AM
2.76
3:57PM
2.80
4:28AM
2.62
4:47PM
2.62
Low Tide
/ height (m)
6:29PM
0.03
6:45AM
0.05
7:16PM
0.07
7:30AM
0.13
8:01PM
0.17
8:15AM
0.27
8:45PM
0.31
9:00AM
0.45
9:30PM
0.48
9:46AM
0.64
10:17PM
0.65
10:37AM
0.82
11:09PM
0.80
Monday
05
Tuesday
06
Wednesday
07
Thursday
08
Friday
09
Saturday
10
Sunday
11
Sunrise6:03--6:05--6:05--6:07--6:07--6:09--6:09--
Sunset-9:01--9:01--9:01--9:01--9:01--9:01--9:00-
clear
part cloud
clear
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
Rain (mm)
--------------------5
Temp. °C171716161616171818171918181817181818181916
Feels °C (?)1411109881191517161512141114131512116
  • 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 12 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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