Farewell Spit Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.51° S 172.76° E

Issued: 5 am 03 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Farewell Spit sea temperature is
14.5° 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 2 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 5 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 10s period, N swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 6 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 17s period, W swell with 2,968 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 5 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 10s period with N 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 Sunday (Jul 05) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 4.0m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 3.0m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 2.1m and 10s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Farewell Spit in the next 16 days are 2.3m 17s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 06) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 4.5m 9s period and expected on Monday (Jul 06) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Sun 5th Jul)13ft (4.0m) 10s
Best Surf12AM (Sun 5th Jul)13ft (4.0m) 10s
Most Powerful 3PM (Mon 6th Jul)7.5ft (2.3m) 17s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 31mm), heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri afternoon, min 9°C on Sun night). Mainly gales.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 33mm), heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 13°C on Mon afternoon, min 8°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (gales from the SE on Mon morning, light winds from the NW by Mon night).

Friday
3
Saturday
4
Sunday
5
Monday
6
Tuesday
7
Wednesday
8
Thursday
9
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
!
0
1
2
0
0
4
2
2
0
0
0
1
2
3
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
W
12
0.4
W
10
1.5
NW
6
1.7
WNW
11
3
NNW
8
4
N
10
2.1
WNW
9
2
WNW
9
2
WNW
12
1.8
W
13
2.3
W
17
2
W
16
1.5
W
16
1.3
W
15
0.9
W
14
1
WSW
8
0.6
W
13
0.8
W
17
1.1
W
16
1
W
15
1.3
W
18
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
25
32
151
662
1108
2895
688
651
1145
1121
2968
1983
1065
711
306
154
121
368
612
452
1050
Wind (km/h)
20
WNW
30
WNW
30
NNW
45
N
50
N
35
W
40
W
25
W
35
SE
65
SE
70
SE
15
SSE
25
W
35
SSE
35
SSE
35
SE
25
SE
20
SE
25
ESE
15
E
5
SE
Wind State
cross
cross
cross-on
on
on
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
12:04PM2.90m
00:23AM3.06m
12:42PM2.87m
1:01AM3.03m
1:22PM2.84m
1:40AM2.98m
2:05PM2.80m
2:23AM2.92m
2:53PM2.75m
3:13AM2.86m
3:47PM2.72m
4:10AM2.80m
4:50PM2.73m
Low Tide
6:12PM0.41m
6:39AM0.43m
6:50PM0.44m
7:18AM0.44m
7:30PM0.50m
7:59AM0.47m
8:13PM0.57m
8:44AM0.50m
9:02PM0.64m
9:36AM0.55m
9:59PM0.70m
10:34AM0.58m
11:04PM0.71m
clear
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
mod rain
light rain
rain showers
heavy rain
light rain
light rain
light rain
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:52
7:52
7:52
7:52
7:52
7:50
7:50
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:13
5:13
5:14
5:15
5:15
5:15
5:15
 mm
1
5
2
5
10
2
6
1
1
23
5
2
1
Temp °C
13
14
14
14
14
14
12
12
11
11
13
12
11
11
13
12
13
10
9
10
10
Feels °C
9
9
8
6
5
6
4
6
9
-4
1
1
8
4
5
4
7
4
3
7
7
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
W
12
0.4
W
10
0.3
W
14
1.7
WNW
11
0.2
W
17
3
NNE
9
1
N
8
2
WNW
9
2
WNW
12
1.8
W
13
2.3
W
17
2
W
16
1.5
W
16
1.3
W
15
0.9
W
14
1
WSW
8
1.1
ESE
6
0.8
W
17
1.1
W
16
1
W
15
1.3
W
18
Energy kJ
25
32
32
662
22
1393
136
651
1145
1121
2968
1983
1065
711
306
154
95
368
612
452
1050
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
W
16
0.2
W
14
0.1
W
18
0.1
W
21
2.1
NW
10
0.7
W
17
0.7
W
16
0.2
W
22
1.1
W
18
0.2
N
7
1.2
ESE
9
0.9
ESE
6
0.7
SE
6
0.6
WSW
8
0.6
W
13
0.7
WSW
8
0.7
ESE
6
0.4
W
21
0.7
W
20
0.5
E
6
Energy kJ
20
16
6
9
990
287
251
39
784
4
227
51
31
50
125
68
36
144
365
15
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
NE
4
0.1
W
23
0.1
W
21
0.6
W
18
0.2
WNW
16
0.2
NNW
9
0.2
E
9
0.3
ESE
7
0.3
E
4
0.2
W
20
0.6
W
13
0.6
WSW
7
0.1
W
21
0.6
ESE
6
0.6
ESE
6
Energy kJ
1
11
9
235
25
8
6
9
3
30
121
42
9
26
24
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
NW
4
0.6
NW
4
1.5
NW
6
1.8
N
6
3
NNW
8
4
N
10
2.1
WNW
9
1.9
ESE
6
4
ESE
9
3
ESE
9
1.4
SE
6
1.1
SE
6
1.1
SE
5
1.3
ESE
6
1
SE
6
0.6
ESE
6
Energy kJ
12
14
151
245
1108
2895
688
228
2524
1317
123
67
60
119
68
29
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
3
2
1
1
4
5
6
4
4
4
4
3
2
2
4
3
4
Distance (km)
39
115
90
181
186
83
90
93
17
244
148
0
115
17
26
17
17
7
26
0
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Nelson - West Coast
Rating
(10 max)
1
4
4
4
4
3
2
4
4
4
4
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
3
2
3
4
4
4
4
5
8
9
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
9
5
9
5
5
6
5
9
7
5
8
9
8
6
8
9
6
9
5
5
9
  • 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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