Farewell Spit Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.51° S 172.76° E

Farewell Spit Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 08 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Farewell Spit sea temperature is
13.5° C
0.3° 

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 8 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 10 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 14s period, W swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 16s period, W swell with 3,751 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 10 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 14s 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 Monday (Aug 10) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 1.0m and 7s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Farewell Spit in the next 16 days are 2.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) 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 0.8m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Mon 10th Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 14s
Best Surf 9PM (Mon 10th Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 14s
Most Powerful 3PM (Sat 15th Aug)8ft (2.5m) 16s

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


Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 32mm), heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 13°C on Sat afternoon, min 11°C on Sat night). Mainly strong winds.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 43mm), heaviest during Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu afternoon, min 10°C on Wed afternoon). Mainly fresh winds.

Sat
8
Sunday
9
Monday
10
Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
Friday
14
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
2
1
0
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
2
0
0
0
2
0
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
NW
8
3
NNW
9
2.3
NNW
9
2.1
NNW
10
1.5
NNW
10
0.9
W
16
1.5
W
15
0.8
W
14
0.7
W
13
0.6
W
19
0.5
W
18
0.5
W
16
1.5
N
8
2.1
N
8
1.3
WNW
10
1.3
WNW
11
1.4
NW
11
1.3
W
9
2
W
6
2.3
W
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
314
1294
865
752
383
387
940
257
167
260
152
129
280
491
327
427
476
300
283
751
Wind (km/h)
25
N
50
N
20
WNW
30
W
35
W
30
WSW
35
W
15
SE
20
ENE
25
E
25
ESE
10
ENE
20
ESE
20
ESE
25
NNE
30
NNE
20
N
5
W
35
WSW
25
WSW
Wind State
on
on
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
on
on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
5:35PM2.70m
6:09AM2.68m
6:51PM2.81m
7:24AM2.80m
7:59PM3.00m
8:28AM2.97m
8:56PM3.22m
9:23AM3.14m
9:47PM3.40m
10:11AM3.27m
10:32PM3.51m
10:56AM3.34m
11:15PM3.53m
Low Tide
11:56PM0.76m
12:31PM0.65m
1:12AM0.63m
1:40PM0.51m
2:17AM0.43m
2:40PM0.32m
3:13AM0.21m
3:32PM0.14m
4:03AM0.04m
4:19PM0.01m
4:48AM-0.06m
5:03PM-0.04m
light rain
heavy rain
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
mod rain
heavy rain
light rain
light rain
heavy rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:26
7:24
7:24
7:22
7:20
7:20
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:42
5:43
5:44
5:45
5:45
5:45
5:46
 mm
1
31
1
10
11
4
2
15
Temp °C
13
12
13
13
12
13
13
12
11
11
11
12
10
13
13
15
14
14
13
12
Feels °C
8
4
9
7
5
7
6
8
6
6
7
10
6
10
9
10
7
11
7
5
  • 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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