Farewell Spit Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.51° S 172.76° E

Farewell Spit Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 27 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Farewell Spit sea temperature is
14.0° C
0.6° 

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 27 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 1 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 31 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 15s period, WNW swell with 7,180 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 27 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 12s 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 Monday (Jul 27) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 12s period. 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 15s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 31) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 02) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Mon 27th Jul)4ft (1.2m) 12s
Best Surf 6AM (Sat 1st Aug)11ft (3.5m) 14s
Most Powerful 9PM (Fri 31st Jul)13ft (4.0m) 15s

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


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Wed night, min 8°C on Mon morning). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 26mm), heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu afternoon, min 7°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the W on Fri afternoon, calm by Sat afternoon).

Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Friday
31
Saturday
1
Sunday
2
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
1
2
1
0
1
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
4
2
3
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.5
W
12
1.3
W
12
1.1
W
12
0.9
W
11
0.8
W
11
0.8
W
11
0.8
W
11
1
W
14
1.1
W
14
0.9
W
14
0.7
W
16
3.5
NNW
8
1.6
WNW
9
1.5
WNW
9
4
WNW
14
3
W
13
2.1
W
13
1.5
W
12
1.4
W
11
1.2
W
10
1.1
W
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
702
497
322
189
146
146
141
411
456
302
243
1692
431
393
6997
3049
1423
617
476
302
211
Wind (km/h)
15
SE
5
NE
5
SE
10
ESE
10
ENE
10
SE
10
WNW
30
WNW
15
W
20
NW
30
NNW
50
NW
50
WNW
55
W
40
WNW
40
ESE
0
SSE
20
SW
25
SSW
25
S
10
SSW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
off
off
off
High Tide
8:53PM2.77m
9:12AM2.72m
9:35PM2.91m
9:52AM2.85m
10:13PM3.04m
10:29AM2.95m
10:48PM3.14m
11:05AM3.02m
11:23PM3.20m
11:41AM3.06m
11:57PM3.22m
12:16PM3.06m
00:32AM3.20m
Low Tide
2:37PM0.73m
3:06AM0.70m
3:20PM0.59m
3:47AM0.56m
4:00PM0.45m
4:25AM0.43m
4:37PM0.35m
5:01AM0.32m
5:12PM0.28m
5:37AM0.25m
5:48PM0.25m
6:12AM0.22m
6:24PM0.27m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
rain showers
light rain
light rain
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:39
7:39
7:37
7:37
7:35
7:35
7:33
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:30
5:31
5:31
5:32
5:34
5:35
5:36
 mm
2
1
10
3
2
4
3
1
Temp °C
9
9
10
9
10
10
11
12
13
13
14
13
12
12
12
9
9
9
10
11
9
Feels °C
6
6
7
6
8
8
6
6
9
9
8
5
1
0
1
0
4
3
4
3
4
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
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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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