Farewell Spit Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.51° S 172.76° E

Farewell Spit Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 pm 23 Oct 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Farewell Spit sea temperature is
15.1°C
1.2° 

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 23 Oct 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 23 Oct, 10PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 17s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 27 Oct, 1PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 12s period, WNW swell with 3,390 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 23 Oct, 10PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 17s 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 Friday (Oct 23) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 5s. 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 3.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Oct 27) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Oct 24) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Fri 23rd Oct)3.5ft (1.0m) 17s
Best Surf10PM (Fri 23rd Oct)3.5ft (1.0m) 17s
Most Powerful 1PM (Tue 27th Oct)11ft (3.5m) 12s

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


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Fri morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSE on Fri night, near gales from the W by Sun afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Mon night. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon night, min 12°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (gales from the NNW on Mon night, fresh winds from the WSW by Tue night).

Friday
23
Saturday
24
Sunday
25
Monday
26
Tuesday
27
Wednesday
28
Thursday
29
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
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
W
12
0.4
W
20
1.1
W
17
1.9
W
16
2
W
19
1.8
W
18
1.8
W
16
2.3
W
16
1.8
W
15
0.9
W
14
0.7
W
14
2.3
NW
6
3.5
WNW
10
3
WNW
12
2.5
WNW
11
2.2
W
10
2.4
W
8
1.9
WNW
9
2
W
8
2.2
WNW
7
1.9
WNW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
77
127
702
1742
2899
1970
1709
2709
1507
338
187
413
2616
2724
1464
910
636
592
459
500
1449
Wind (km/h)
25
SE
10
NW
10
SSE
50
W
55
W
45
W
45
W
60
W
45
W
40
WNW
40
WNW
45
NW
45
W
50
W
30
WSW
40
W
50
W
45
W
50
W
45
W
45
WSW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-on
off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
High Tide
8:53PM2.94m
9:19AM2.97m
9:34PM3.13m
9:59AM3.17m
10:15PM3.28m
10:39AM3.33m
10:55PM3.38m
11:20AM3.43m
11:38PM3.41m
12:02PM3.45m
00:22AM3.36m
12:46PM3.40m
1:09AM3.23m
Low Tide
2:43PM0.60m
3:08AM0.38m
3:26PM0.39m
3:49AM0.18m
4:08PM0.22m
4:29AM0.03m
4:49PM0.09m
5:09AM-0.05m
5:31PM0.02m
5:51AM-0.05m
6:15PM0.03m
6:35AM0.02m
7:02PM0.11m
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:30
—
—
6:28
—
—
6:26
—
—
6:26
—
—
6:24
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—
6:22
—
—
6:22
—
—
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
—
7:57
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—
7:58
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—
7:59
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—
8:00
—
—
8:00
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—
8:01
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—
8:02
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 mm
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
11
4
—
—
—
—
—
1
1
—
Temp °C
12
15
15
14
14
12
14
15
13
14
14
15
15
14
13
13
13
13
14
14
13
Feels °C
8
12
13
5
4
4
3
3
5
8
7
4
7
4
6
2
2
3
4
6
3
  • 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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