Farewell Spit Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.51° S 172.76° E

Farewell Spit Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 09 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 9 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 15 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 18s period, W swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 18s period, W swell with 2,402 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 6s 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 2.0m 18s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Mon 10th Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 14s
Best Surf 6PM (Sat 15th Aug)6.5ft (2.0m) 18s
Most Powerful 6PM (Sat 15th Aug)6.5ft (2.0m) 18s

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


Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Wed morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Sun afternoon, min 10°C on Tue morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Sun night, light winds from the E by Wed morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 55mm), heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat morning, min 11°C on Wed afternoon). Mainly fresh winds.

Sun
9
Monday
10
Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
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
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
2
1
0
0
2
3
2
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2
NNW
10
1.4
NNW
9
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
1.7
N
7
1.8
N
8
1.2
WNW
10
0.7
W
16
0.8
W
16
0.8
W
17
0.7
W
15
0.7
W
17
1.5
W
18
1.7
W
18
2
W
17
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
790
321
387
940
257
167
260
152
129
279
377
261
255
329
363
208
265
1382
1735
2267
Wind (km/h)
35
W
40
W
30
WSW
35
W
20
E
20
E
25
ESE
25
ESE
15
E
15
ENE
25
NNE
25
NNE
15
ESE
30
SE
30
SE
30
SSE
20
S
20
SSW
20
W
0
SE
Wind State
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross
glassy
High Tide
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
11:38AM3.34m
11:56PM3.47m
Low Tide
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
5:30AM-0.08m
5:45PM-0.01m
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
rain showers
light rain
mod rain
light rain
light rain
mod rain
cloud
cloud
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:24
7:24
7:22
7:20
7:20
7:18
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:43
5:44
5:45
5:45
5:45
5:46
5:47
 mm
1
14
18
2
1
7
4
2
7
3
Temp °C
13
13
13
13
12
10
11
11
12
12
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
14
14
13
Feels °C
6
6
6
5
8
6
6
6
9
6
9
9
11
8
8
8
8
10
10
11
  • 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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