Farewell Spit Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.51° S 172.76° E

Farewell Spit Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 6 am 19 Oct 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Farewell Spit sea temperature is
14.2°C
0.5° 

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 18 Oct 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 21 Oct, 7AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 24 Oct, 4PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 19s period, W swell with 2,366 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 19 Oct, 1PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 15s 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 (Oct 19) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 7s. 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 1.8m 19s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Oct 24) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Oct 20) at 10PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1PM (Mon 19th Oct)2ft (0.6m) 15s
Best Surf 7AM (Wed 21st Oct)3ft (0.9m) 16s
Most Powerful 4PM (Sat 24th Oct)6ft (1.8m) 19s

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


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Mon morning). Winds increasing (calm on Mon morning, fresh winds from the WSW by Tue afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, strong winds from the W by Sat afternoon).

Monday
19
Tuesday
20
Wednesday
21
Thursday
22
Friday
23
Saturday
24
Sunday
25
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
2
1
0
1
2
1
2
0
0
1
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
W
16
0.7
W
16
0.6
W
14
0.9
WSW
13
0.8
WSW
13
0.5
W
17
0.9
W
15
0.9
W
16
0.7
W
14
0.6
W
14
1.5
W
7
0.5
W
13
0.6
W
12
0.4
W
20
1.1
W
17
1.7
W
16
1.8
W
19
1.7
W
18
1.6
W
16
1.7
W
17
1.9
W
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
267
236
138
290
222
148
377
387
194
132
206
85
110
125
710
1384
2366
1759
1253
1739
1809
Wind (km/h)
0
NW
10
WSW
10
SE
10
NE
20
NW
20
WSW
0
W
20
WSW
5
S
15
WSW
45
WSW
5
W
15
SE
20
WNW
25
WSW
40
W
45
W
45
W
40
W
35
W
35
W
Wind State
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
High Tide
4:58PM2.41m
5:37AM2.29m
6:13PM2.43m
6:50AM2.37m
7:17PM2.56m
7:49AM2.54m
8:08PM2.74m
8:37AM2.75m
8:53PM2.94m
9:19AM2.97m
9:34PM3.13m
9:59AM3.17m
10:15PM3.28m
Low Tide
10:37AM1.06m
11:25PM1.07m
11:51AM1.06m
00:37AM0.99m
1:00PM0.96m
1:37AM0.81m
1:56PM0.79m
2:26AM0.60m
2:43PM0.60m
3:08AM0.38m
3:26PM0.39m
3:49AM0.18m
4:08PM0.22m
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:35
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6:33
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6:33
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6:31
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6:30
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—
6:28
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6:26
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<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
—
7:52
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—
7:52
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7:53
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7:54
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7:57
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7:58
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7:59
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 mm
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
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Temp °C
12
14
13
12
13
13
13
18
16
15
16
15
14
15
15
14
13
13
14
15
15
Feels °C
12
12
12
11
7
9
11
15
13
7
7
13
14
11
11
7
5
5
7
10
10
  • 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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