Farewell Spit Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.51° S 172.76° E

Issued: 5 pm 17 Jun 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Farewell Spit sea temperature is
15.0° C

Slightly warmer than usual

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 17 Jun 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 21 Jun, 9PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 10s period, WNW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 21 Jun, 6AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, WNW swell with 1,633 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 18 Jun, 3PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 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 Thursday (Jun 18) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 1.0m and 6s is also forecast. 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 3.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jun 21) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Jun 24) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3PM (Thu 18th Jun)2.5ft (0.8m) 12s
Best Surf 9PM (Sun 21st Jun)5.5ft (1.7m) 10s
Most Powerful 6AM (Sun 21st Jun)10ft (3.0m) 10s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri night, min 11°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, strong winds from the W by Fri night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Tue morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat night, min 10°C on Tue morning). Winds decreasing (near gales from the NW on Sat night, light winds from the SE by Sun night).

Wed
17
Thursday
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
0
2
1
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
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
8
1.3
W
11
1.6
W
13
0.8
W
12
0.6
W
15
1.1
W
14
1.2
W
13
1.3
W
13
1.3
WNW
5
1.9
WNW
6
2.5
WNW
7
2.5
WNW
10
2
WNW
10
1.6
WNW
9
1.3
WNW
9
1
WNW
9
0.5
W
15
0.5
W
14
0.6
W
14
0.5
W
14
1.3
W
5
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
289
379
875
199
157
469
503
572
95
249
621
1314
746
424
249
157
110
94
136
97
70
Wind (km/h)
15
SW
10
ENE
35
WSW
10
ESE
10
ENE
10
W
35
W
35
W
40
WNW
45
WNW
50
NW
45
W
30
W
5
SE
25
ENE
20
ESE
20
ESE
25
SE
45
SE
30
NNE
20
WNW
Wind State
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
on
cross-on
High Tide
11:52PM3.46m
12:18PM3.21m
00:43AM3.38m
1:10PM3.09m
1:34AM3.25m
2:03PM2.96m
2:27AM3.09m
2:57PM2.82m
3:20AM2.92m
3:54PM2.70m
4:16AM2.76m
4:53PM2.62m
5:14AM2.65m
Low Tide
5:37PM0.04m
6:10AM0.06m
6:28PM0.11m
7:02AM0.14m
7:19PM0.23m
7:54AM0.26m
8:11PM0.38m
8:47AM0.40m
9:06PM0.55m
9:42AM0.54m
10:03PM0.70m
10:37AM0.65m
11:02PM0.81m
11:34AM0.73m
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
mod rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:50
7:50
7:52
7:52
7:52
7:52
7:52
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:07
5:07
5:07
5:07
5:07
5:08
5:08
5:08
 mm
1
1
1
3
1
7
29
13
19
Temp °C
14
12
12
12
13
12
13
15
15
15
16
14
15
14
12
12
12
11
13
14
13
Feels °C
11
6
5
9
10
7
5
10
8
7
8
5
10
13
7
8
7
6
8
7
10
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.5
W
8
1.3
W
11
0.4
W
18
1.1
W
7
0.9
W
8
1.1
W
14
0.1
NE
12
0.1
W
21
0.5
W
12
0.4
W
17
2
WNW
10
1.6
WNW
9
1.3
WNW
9
1
WNW
9
0.7
NW
8
0.6
WNW
8
0.6
W
14
0.5
W
14
0.2
E
4
Energy kJ
289
379
98
127
90
469
5
9
80
93
746
424
249
157
69
43
136
97
1
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
W
12
0.4
W
15
0.2
ESE
4
1
WSW
6
0.6
W
12
0.2
E
4
0.1
W
24
0.2
W
20
0.6
NW
11
0.5
W
16
0.5
W
16
0.4
W
15
0.4
W
14
0.5
W
15
0.5
W
14
0.5
WNW
8
0.5
E
4
0.2
WNW
5
Energy kJ
44
67
2
85
104
1
11
30
71
129
126
67
66
110
94
34
10
2
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
W
21
0.2
W
20
0.1
N
13
0.8
W
12
0.6
W
15
0.1
N
13
0.1
W
17
0.1
W
16
0.1
W
16
0.1
W
15
0.1
W
15
0.1
W
16
0.5
N
5
0.5
N
5
0.5
WNW
8
Energy kJ
9
30
3
199
157
3
6
5
5
4
4
5
13
14
33
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
E
5
1.6
W
13
0.1
NW
7
1.2
W
13
1.3
W
13
1.3
WNW
5
1.9
WNW
6
2.5
WNW
7
2.5
WNW
10
0.5
E
3
0.9
ESE
4
0.6
ESE
4
0.5
E
4
1.3
W
5
Energy kJ
45
875
2
503
572
95
249
621
1314
6
22
11
9
70
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
1
2
3
2
3
2
1
2
2
1
4
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
3
Distance (km)
0
17
147
0
17
0
115
115
94
186
186
93
167
0
17
26
17
17
26
115
26
Best forecast wave conditions in Nelson - West Coast
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
2
4
2
3
3
2
2
2
2
3
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
5
4
3
9
7
4
4
4
4
4
3
4
4
4
5
5
4
4
4
3
3
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
4
5
9
7
6
6
5
7
9
5
9
7
7
7
5
6
5
5
5
7
  • 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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