Farewell Spit Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.51° S 172.76° E

Farewell Spit Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 02 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Farewell Spit sea temperature is
13.8°C
0.8° 

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 2 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 7 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 10s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, WNW swell with 5,659 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 7 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 10s period with WNW 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 (Sep 07) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m 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 3.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 6PM. 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 Wednesday (Sep 09) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Mon 7th Sep)8ft (2.5m) 10s
Best Surf 6AM (Mon 7th Sep)8ft (2.5m) 10s
Most Powerful 6PM (Sun 6th Sep)11ft (3.5m) 16s

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


Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Thu night. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu night, min 11°C on Fri afternoon). Winds increasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Thu afternoon, near gales from the W by Fri afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 30mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun afternoon, min 11°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the NNW on Sun morning, light winds from the NW by Mon morning).

Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
AM
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
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
0
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)
2.3
W
17
2
W
14
1.6
W
15
1.4
WNW
8
1.9
WNW
6
1.1
W
15
3.5
WNW
9
3.5
WNW
9
3
W
10
3
W
14
2.5
W
14
2.4
W
16
3
WNW
17
1.7
W
17
3
WNW
16
2.5
WNW
11
3
WNW
14
2.4
W
13
1.9
W
12
1.3
W
11
2
W
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
3164
1653
1209
256
279
517
1848
1761
1999
3436
3066
2875
4340
1586
5002
1643
2890
1932
1031
418
1117
Wind (km/h)
50
WSW
40
W
35
WNW
35
WNW
35
WNW
45
NW
50
W
55
W
45
WSW
35
W
35
W
35
WNW
45
NNW
45
NNW
40
NW
5
NW
40
W
40
W
45
W
20
WSW
5
ENE
Wind State
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
glassy
High Tide
1:07PM3.11m
1:26AM3.07m
1:53PM2.97m
2:16AM2.88m
2:49PM2.81m
3:19AM2.69m
4:00PM2.68m
4:39AM2.57m
5:25PM2.66m
6:06AM2.60m
6:45PM2.79m
7:20AM2.75m
7:50PM2.99m
Low Tide
7:19PM0.35m
7:43AM0.36m
8:08PM0.52m
8:36AM0.55m
9:09PM0.70m
9:42AM0.72m
10:25PM0.81m
11:02AM0.80m
11:50PM0.79m
12:23PM0.73m
1:07AM0.63m
1:32PM0.55m
2:08AM0.41m
part cloud
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
heavy rain
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:52
6:50
6:48
6:47
6:45
6:43
6:41
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:05
6:06
6:07
6:07
6:08
6:09
6:10
 mm
1
2
11
3
4
4
15
7
Temp °C
13
13
13
14
14
15
15
12
12
12
13
13
13
15
13
13
13
11
12
13
12
Feels °C
3
5
6
8
8
9
6
1
1
4
6
7
5
7
5
11
6
3
3
8
8
  • 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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