Farewell Spit Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.51° S 172.76° E

Farewell Spit Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 01 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Farewell Spit sea temperature is
13.7° C
0.4° 

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 1 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 4 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 3 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 18s period, W swell with 3,596 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 1 Aug, 6PM (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 Saturday (Aug 01) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Farewell Spit in the next 16 days are 2.4m 18s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 03) 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 1.2m 5s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 02) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Sat 1st Aug)4ft (1.2m) 12s
Best Surf 9AM (Tue 4th Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 16s
Most Powerful 3PM (Mon 3rd Aug)8ft (2.4m) 18s

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


Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 13°C on Mon morning, min 7°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat afternoon, strong winds from the WSW by Mon morning).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Wed morning. Very mild (max 11°C on Tue afternoon, min 8°C on Thu afternoon). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
1
Sunday
2
Monday
3
Tuesday
4
Wednesday
5
Thursday
6
Friday
7
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
0
1
0
1
2
2
2
3
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
1
1
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2
W
13
1.4
W
12
1
W
12
0.7
W
12
0.6
W
12
1.5
W
20
2.2
W
18
2.4
W
18
1.1
W
17
1
W
16
1.3
W
15
1.1
W
14
0.8
W
13
0.7
W
13
0.5
W
15
0.4
W
14
0.5
W
9
0.9
NW
8
1.4
NW
8
1.8
NW
8
2.1
NNW
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1298
566
273
137
98
1796
3319
3596
654
501
760
489
222
166
106
63
39
98
266
428
592
Wind (km/h)
25
ESE
10
E
25
WNW
5
ESE
15
WNW
40
W
45
WSW
45
WSW
35
WSW
15
ESE
20
N
20
N
20
NE
15
E
10
E
20
ESE
15
E
10
ESE
20
ESE
15
NE
15
SE
Wind State
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
on
on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
11:41AM3.06m
11:57PM3.22m
12:16PM3.06m
00:32AM3.20m
12:54PM3.04m
1:10AM3.14m
1:34PM2.98m
1:51AM3.04m
2:19PM2.89m
2:40AM2.91m
3:13PM2.79m
3:38AM2.77m
4:18PM2.71m
Low Tide
5:48PM0.25m
6:12AM0.22m
6:24PM0.27m
6:48AM0.24m
7:02PM0.33m
7:27AM0.29m
7:43PM0.43m
8:11AM0.39m
8:31PM0.55m
9:01AM0.52m
9:28PM0.68m
10:02AM0.64m
10:37PM0.77m
clear
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
cloud
heavy rain
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:35
7:33
7:33
7:31
7:31
7:30
7:28
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:35
5:36
5:37
5:37
5:38
5:39
5:40
 mm
1
1
12
1
Temp °C
10
10
10
9
12
12
13
13
12
10
11
11
9
10
10
9
9
9
8
10
12
Feels °C
4
6
6
5
7
3
3
4
4
7
6
6
4
6
7
4
5
6
3
7
12
  • 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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