Farewell Spit surf break

Farewell Spit surfForecast / Nelson – West Coast / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Friday 16 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
17.9° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Farewell Spit this week:

The most powerful waves expected at Farewell Spit in the next 12 days are 1.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jan 22) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Jan 18) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)--
Best Surf--
Most Powerful10PM (Thu 22nd Jan)5ft (1.5m) 14s

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 6mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Fri afternoon, near gales from the ESE by Sun morning).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed night, min 13°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the E on Wed night, strong winds from the ESE by Thu morning).

Fri
16
Saturday
17
Sunday
18
Monday
19
Tuesday
20
Wednesday
21
Thursday
22
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.6
W
0.6
W
0.6
W
0.6
W
0.5
W
0.4
WSW
0.3
WSW
0.3
WSW
0.3
WSW
0.3
WSW
0.3
WSW
0.4
WSW
0.4
WSW
0.5
W
0.5
W
0.4
WSW
0.4
WSW
0.3
W
0.9
NNW
1.4
NNW
1
N
Period(s) (?)141312121212121212121212141413131221161413
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)1341251121037246273128282851639387554979400777350
Wind
(km/h)
10
NW
10
NNW
30
ESE
40
ESE
55
ESE
50
ESE
50
ESE
55
ESE
45
ESE
40
ESE
45
ESE
35
ESE
35
E
40
ESE
35
ESE
25
ESE
15
ENE
40
ESE
50
ESE
70
ESE
45
N
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
oncross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
9:43PM
2.65
10:09AM
2.82
10:27PM
2.78
10:50AM
2.97
11:07PM
2.90
11:28AM
3.10
11:44PM
3.00
12:04PM
3.20
12:21AM
3.06
12:39PM
3.26
12:57AM
3.09
1:15PM
3.27
1:35AM
3.09
Low Tide
/ height (m)
3:54AM
0.67
4:21PM
0.65
4:36AM
0.52
5:02PM
0.51
5:15AM
0.39
5:40PM
0.38
5:52AM
0.29
6:17PM
0.27
6:28AM
0.23
6:54PM
0.21
7:05AM
0.21
7:31PM
0.18
7:43AM
0.24
Fri
16
Saturday
17
Sunday
18
Monday
19
Tuesday
20
Wednesday
21
Thursday
22
Sunrise--6:16--6:18--6:18--6:20--6:22--6:22--6:24
Sunset9:00--8:59--8:59--8:58--8:58--8:57--8:55--
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
clear
clear
cloud
cloud
cloud
heavy rain
heavy rain
rain showers
Rain (mm)
15----------------20611
Temp. °C171715151515151415161615171615171817171918
Feels °C (?)131410754536878119101315991311
  • 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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