Farewell Spit surf break

Farewell Spit surfForecast / Nelson – West Coast / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 pm Friday 27 Feb 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
18.3° 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 Saturday (Feb 28) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 4s. 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 1.5m 18s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Mar 04) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.2m 7s period and expected on Monday (Mar 02) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Sat 28th Feb)3ft (0.9m) 13s
Best Surf10PM (Sat 28th Feb)3ft (0.9m) 13s
Most Powerful 4PM (Wed 4th Mar)5ft (1.5m) 18s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun afternoon, min 11°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Sat night, near gales from the W by Sun afternoon).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Mon morning). Mainly fresh winds.

Friday
27
Saturday
28
Sunday
01
Monday
02
Tuesday
03
Wednesday
04
Thursday
05
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
1
2
0
0
0
2
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.8
W
0.9
W
0.9
W
1
W
0.9
W
0.8
W
1
W
0.1
N
0.8
WSW
0.9
WSW
0.9
WSW
0.7
W
0.5
W
0.3
WSW
0.3
W
0.7
W
1.5
W
0.9
W
1.4
W
1.7
W
1.4
W
Period(s) (?)1313131414131315711111181121181816161514
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)21927226337232021932946220219411934247932513884129401212801
Wind
(km/h)
30
ENE
25
E
30
ESE
25
ESE
15
E
10
S
40
W
50
W
35
ESE
15
SE
15
NNW
15
WSW
10
SW
35
W
20
WSW
20
W
30
W
25
W
30
W
40
W
40
W
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crosscrosscross-
off
cross-
off
crossoffcrosscrosscross-
off
cross-
off
oncross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
crosscrosscross
High Tide
/ height (m)
7:45PM
2.60
8:23AM
2.79
8:56PM
2.76
9:24AM
3.00
9:51PM
2.95
10:14AM
3.19
10:37PM
3.11
10:57AM
3.34
11:18PM
3.23
11:35AM
3.41
11:56PM
3.29
12:12PM
3.41
12:31AM
3.29
Low Tide
/ height (m)
1:29PM
0.80
2:00AM
0.72
2:42PM
0.63
3:06AM
0.54
3:40PM
0.42
3:59AM
0.34
4:28PM
0.22
4:44AM
0.18
5:10PM
0.08
5:25AM
0.08
5:48PM
0.01
6:02AM
0.05
6:24PM
0.01
Friday
27
Saturday
28
Sunday
01
Monday
02
Tuesday
03
Wednesday
04
Thursday
05
Sunrise7:07--7:07--7:09--7:09--7:11--7:13--7:13--
Sunset-8:15--8:14--8:12--8:10--8:08--8:07--8:06-
light rain
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
2-------3------------
Temp. °C151515141516171815131515151615151515151615
Feels °C (?)109891215810101099139111299997
  • 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 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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