Farewell Spit surf break

Farewell Spit surfForecast / Nelson – West Coast / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 pm Friday 06 Feb 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
18.3° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)


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 Sunday (Feb 08) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m and 3s is also forecast. 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 14s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Feb 08) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Feb 10) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4PM (Sun 8th Feb)3ft (0.9m) 14s
Best Surf 4PM (Sun 8th Feb)3ft (0.9m) 14s
Most Powerful 1PM (Sun 8th Feb)5.5ft (1.7m) 14s

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

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri afternoon, min 16°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Fri morning, calm by Sun night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon afternoon, min 16°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon morning, strong winds from the W by Tue afternoon).

Friday
06
Saturday
07
Sunday
08
Monday
09
Tuesday
10
Wednesday
11
Thursday
12
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
2
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.3
N
2
W
0.3
N
1.3
W
1.4
W
1.3
W
1.4
W
0.9
W
0.9
W
0.8
W
0.7
W
0.6
W
0.6
W
1.8
W
0.4
WSW
0.3
WSW
0.4
WSW
0.4
WSW
0.3
WSW
0.3
WSW
0.4
WSW
Period(s) (?)1461312131314141312121212611111111111213
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)37298325016945997862932721961441039819240254243252653
Wind
(km/h)
45
WSW
50
W
40
W
35
W
35
W
45
W
40
W
10
SW
10
N
5
NNE
20
NW
20
SSE
20
W
45
W
35
WSW
15
SE
15
ESE
15
ESE
5
SE
35
WNW
25
W
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
crosscrosscrosscrosscrosscrosscross-
off
onglasscross-
on
offcrosscrosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
glasscross-
on
cross
High Tide
/ height (m)
1:54PM
3.24
2:15AM
3.04
2:31PM
3.05
2:54AM
2.88
3:10PM
2.84
3:35AM
2.70
3:53PM
2.63
4:23AM
2.53
4:45PM
2.44
5:24AM
2.39
5:53PM
2.32
6:41AM
2.35
7:14PM
2.30
Low Tide
/ height (m)
8:09PM
0.22
8:23AM
0.37
8:46PM
0.40
9:03AM
0.57
9:26PM
0.61
9:46AM
0.78
10:11PM
0.81
10:37AM
0.98
11:06PM
0.98
11:43AM
1.11
12:17AM
1.08
1:02PM
1.14
1:34AM
1.05
Friday
06
Saturday
07
Sunday
08
Monday
09
Tuesday
10
Wednesday
11
Thursday
12
Sunrise6:41--6:43--6:43--6:45--6:46--6:48--6:48--
Sunset-8:43--8:42--8:40--8:39--8:37--8:37--8:36-
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
Rain (mm)
---------------------
Temp. °C181918181817181917171818171818181818181918
Feels °C (?)9101413131111181818141710911161718191514
  • 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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