Farewell Spit Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.51° S 172.76° E

Farewell Spit Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 6 am 29 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Farewell Spit sea temperature is
13.8°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 28 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 30 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 14s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 29 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 15s period, W swell with 2,055 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 30 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 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 Wednesday (Sep 30) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 15s. 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 2.2m 15s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 29) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.1m 6s period and expected on Friday (Oct 02) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Wed 30th Sep)5ft (1.6m) 14s
Best Surf 4AM (Wed 30th Sep)5ft (1.6m) 14s
Most Powerful10AM (Tue 29th Sep)7ft (2.2m) 15s

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


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Tue morning, min 8°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed morning, near gales from the W by Thu afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat morning, min 10°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the W on Fri morning, light winds from the ESE by Sun afternoon).

Tuesday
29
Wednesday
30
Thursday
1
Friday
2
Saturday
3
Sunday
4
Monday
5
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
3
3
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.2
W
15
2
W
14
1.7
W
14
1.5
W
14
1.5
W
14
1
W
15
2
W
6
2.4
W
7
0.7
W
16
0.8
W
16
2.2
W
6
0.1
W
15
0.1
W
15
1.8
W
6
1.3
W
11
1.1
W
10
1
W
10
0.7
W
12
0.6
W
12
0.6
W
13
0.6
W
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2055
1585
1179
919
931
452
314
506
257
322
356
5
4
192
382
240
188
141
103
123
140
Wind (km/h)
30
WSW
35
WSW
20
SW
5
S
25
W
35
WSW
50
WSW
55
W
25
WSW
30
WSW
50
W
50
W
40
W
25
WSW
30
ESE
20
E
15
ESE
30
E
20
E
10
N
20
WNW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
on
cross-on
High Tide
12:23PM3.38m
00:40AM3.37m
1:03PM3.33m
1:22AM3.25m
1:47PM3.20m
2:09AM3.06m
2:37PM3.02m
3:04AM2.84m
3:37PM2.84m
4:12AM2.64m
4:53PM2.70m
5:36AM2.54m
6:17PM2.69m
Low Tide
6:33PM0.06m
6:54AM0.03m
7:15PM0.15m
7:37AM0.17m
8:02PM0.31m
8:25AM0.37m
8:56PM0.50m
9:22AM0.58m
10:01PM0.69m
10:32AM0.75m
11:21PM0.79m
11:53AM0.81m
00:43AM0.74m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:07
—
—
7:05
—
—
7:05
—
—
7:03
—
—
7:01
—
—
7:00
—
—
6:58
—
—
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
—
7:30
—
—
7:31
—
—
7:32
—
—
7:34
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—
7:35
—
—
7:36
—
—
7:37
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 mm
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Temp °C
13
13
12
12
12
11
11
12
11
12
13
11
14
14
11
10
11
12
10
12
13
Feels °C
7
6
7
11
6
5
0
2
3
1
3
1
6
9
6
6
8
9
5
9
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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