Farewell Spit Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.51° S 172.76° E

Issued: 5 am 01 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Farewell Spit sea temperature is
14.6° C

Slightly warmer than usual

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 30 Jun 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 5 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 11s period, WNW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 6 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 18s period, W swell with 4,846 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 1 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 13s 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 (Jul 01) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 13s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Farewell Spit in the next 16 days are 2.5m 18s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 06) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 4.0m 9s period and expected on Monday (Jul 06) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Wed 1st Jul)1.5ft (0.5m) 13s
Best Surf 3PM (Sun 5th Jul)6ft (1.9m) 11s
Most Powerful 9AM (Mon 6th Jul)8ft (2.5m) 18s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri afternoon, min 10°C on Wed morning). Winds increasing (calm on Wed morning, strong winds from the NNW by Fri night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 36mm), heaviest during Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat morning, min 9°C on Sun night). Mainly severe gales.

Wednesday
1
Thursday
2
Friday
3
Saturday
4
Sunday
5
Monday
6
Tuesday
7
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
4
0
0
0
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)
0.5
W
13
0.5
W
13
0.4
WSW
13
0.3
WSW
13
0.3
W
13
0.3
W
13
0.3
W
12
1.1
NW
5
1.5
NNW
6
1.8
WNW
11
4
NNW
9
2
WNW
10
2.1
NW
9
1.9
WNW
11
2.2
WNW
13
2.5
W
18
2.5
W
17
2.1
W
16
1.6
W
16
1.4
W
15
1.1
W
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
92
92
59
32
31
30
25
61
170
773
2299
778
783
828
1641
4846
4235
2297
1241
836
474
Wind (km/h)
5
ESE
5
WNW
5
SSW
20
W
30
WNW
25
WNW
25
WNW
35
NW
35
NNW
45
N
60
NNW
40
WNW
25
W
5
ESE
75
SE
70
SE
60
SE
55
SE
50
SE
40
SSE
40
SE
Wind State
glassy
cross-on
off
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross
cross
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
10:48AM2.88m
11:10PM3.04m
11:26AM2.90m
11:47PM3.06m
12:04PM2.90m
00:23AM3.06m
12:42PM2.87m
1:01AM3.03m
1:22PM2.84m
1:40AM2.98m
2:05PM2.80m
2:23AM2.92m
2:53PM2.75m
Low Tide
4:57PM0.43m
5:23AM0.46m
5:35PM0.41m
6:01AM0.43m
6:12PM0.41m
6:39AM0.43m
6:50PM0.44m
7:18AM0.44m
7:30PM0.50m
7:59AM0.47m
8:13PM0.57m
8:44AM0.50m
9:02PM0.64m
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
light rain
heavy rain
cloud
part cloud
light rain
cloud
rain showers
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:52
7:52
7:52
7:52
7:52
7:52
7:52
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:12
5:12
5:13
5:13
5:14
5:15
5:15
 mm
1
3
6
2
14
1
1
17
1
3
2
Temp °C
10
12
12
13
13
13
13
14
14
14
14
14
12
12
11
12
12
12
12
11
13
Feels °C
9
10
11
8
7
8
8
7
8
6
7
8
6
10
-6
-2
-1
-1
1
2
4
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
W
13
0.5
W
13
0.4
WSW
13
0.3
WSW
13
0.3
W
13
0.3
W
13
0.3
W
12
0.2
W
14
0.6
W
9
1.8
WNW
11
0.2
W
21
2
WNW
10
2.1
NW
9
1.9
WNW
11
2.2
WNW
13
2.5
W
18
2.5
W
17
2.1
W
16
1.6
W
16
1.4
W
15
1.1
W
14
Energy kJ
92
92
59
32
31
30
25
16
56
773
35
778
783
828
1641
4846
4235
2297
1241
836
474
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
W
17
0.2
WSW
8
0.2
WSW
8
0.2
N
4
0.2
W
16
0.4
WNW
13
0.1
W
18
1.5
N
9
0.8
W
17
1.2
N
8
0.7
N
7
0.2
N
7
0.2
NNE
8
1.2
ESE
8
0.4
NNE
7
0.1
N
7
Energy kJ
22
6
6
1
20
56
6
364
355
177
44
4
6
151
17
1
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
W
18
0.1
W
23
1
NNE
8
1
W
16
0.3
NNW
7
0.8
NNE
8
0.3
N
7
Energy kJ
6
11
117
490
10
79
9
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
NW
3
0.4
NW
3
0.5
WNW
3
0.4
WNW
3
0.5
NW
4
1.1
NW
5
1.5
NNW
6
1.7
N
6
4
NNW
9
2.4
ESE
7
4
ESE
9
2.5
ESE
7
1.8
SE
7
1.6
ESE
7
2.1
ESE
8
Energy kJ
2
2
5
3
8
61
170
218
2299
515
2467
689
331
236
506
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
4
1
7
6
5
4
4
3
Distance (km)
0
17
0
115
115
115
39
91
91
186
258
83
91
0
93
168
171
115
115
17
17
Best forecast wave conditions in Nelson - West Coast
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
1
1
4
4
4
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
3
2
3
3
4
2
3
4
4
5
5
9
9
5
5
4
5
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
5
9
7
5
7
5
6
6
4
5
6
9
7
9
7
5
6
7
9
  • 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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