Farewell Spit surf break

Farewell Spit surfForecast / Nelson – West Coast / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Tuesday 13 Jan 2026 NZDT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Farewell Spit surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Farewell Spit sea temperature is
18.2° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Farewell Spit this week:

The surf forecast for Farewell Spit over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jan 14) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Farewell Spit in the next 12 days are 1.7m 10s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jan 13) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 8s period and expected on Monday (Jan 19) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1PM (Wed 14th Jan)2ft (0.6m) 13s
Best Surf 1PM (Wed 14th Jan)2ft (0.6m) 13s
Most Powerful10PM (Tue 13th Jan)5.5ft (1.7m) 10s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Farewell Spit over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 121mm), heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue afternoon, min 13°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Tue afternoon, light winds from the WNW by Wed morning).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the E on Sun afternoon, light winds from the NE by Mon morning).

Tue
13
Wednesday
14
Thursday
15
Friday
16
Saturday
17
Sunday
18
Monday
19
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.8
W
1.4
W
0.6
NNW
0.6
NNW
0.5
NW
0.8
NNW
0.5
W
0.6
W
0.6
W
0.5
W
0.7
W
0.6
W
0.5
W
0.5
W
0.4
WSW
0.3
WSW
0.3
WSW
0.3
WSW
0.3
WSW
0.3
WSW
0.3
WSW
Period(s) (?)10101313126151514141313121212121312121212
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)696377116109694411315714494168117767247273229282626
Wind
(km/h)
45
W
40
W
10
WNW
20
ESE
40
SE
35
SE
35
SE
35
ESE
25
SE
15
SE
20
ENE
30
ESE
25
ESE
45
ESE
50
ESE
50
E
40
ESE
15
SE
10
NW
15
NW
10
ESE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crosscrosscross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
6:49PM
2.42
7:31AM
2.46
7:55PM
2.44
8:31AM
2.55
8:53PM
2.53
9:24AM
2.68
9:43PM
2.65
10:09AM
2.82
10:27PM
2.78
10:50AM
2.97
11:07PM
2.90
11:28AM
3.10
11:44PM
3.00
12:04PM
3.20
Low Tide
/ height (m)
1:10AM
0.94
1:45PM
1.02
2:11AM
0.90
2:45PM
0.93
3:06AM
0.80
3:36PM
0.80
3:54AM
0.67
4:21PM
0.65
4:36AM
0.52
5:02PM
0.51
5:15AM
0.39
5:40PM
0.38
5:52AM
0.29
Tue
13
Wednesday
14
Thursday
15
Friday
16
Saturday
17
Sunday
18
Monday
19
Sunrise--6:13--6:15--6:16--6:16--6:18--6:18--6:20
Sunset9:00--9:00--9:00--9:00--8:59--8:59--8:58--
part cloud
rain showers
heavy rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
mod rain
light rain
mod rain
light rain
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
-32115601026412----------
Temp. °C161513141616161616161615161515151413151516
Feels °C (?)77121113111010131515910754510121215
  • 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 12 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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