Farewell Spit Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.51° S 172.76° E

Farewell Spit Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 14 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Farewell Spit sea temperature is
13.7°C
0.6° 

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 14 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 18 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 16s period, W swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 19 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 15s period, W swell with 4,475 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 15 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 15s 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 Tuesday (Sep 15) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 6s. 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 3.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 19) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 3PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Tue 15th Sep)3.5ft (1.0m) 15s
Best Surf 6AM (Fri 18th Sep)6ft (1.9m) 16s
Most Powerful 9PM (Sat 19th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 15s

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


Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 13°C on Mon night, min 10°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (calm on Mon night, strong winds from the W by Tue afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri afternoon, min 9°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, near gales from the WSW by Sat afternoon).

Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
Saturday
19
Sunday
20
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
3
3
2
1
0
0
2
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)
1.1
W
15
0.9
W
15
0.1
N
12
0.1
N
12
0.6
W
13
0.6
W
13
2.2
NW
6
1.9
WNW
9
2.5
W
14
1.4
W
17
2.2
W
16
3
W
15
2.5
W
15
2.3
W
15
2.4
W
15
3
W
15
3
W
9
2.5
W
14
2.1
W
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
517
343
3
3
125
119
396
588
2300
1059
2374
3603
3148
2241
2441
4028
1308
2677
1818
Wind (km/h)
5
SSW
5
WSW
45
W
45
W
35
W
35
WNW
40
NNW
40
WSW
40
WSW
35
WSW
10
W
30
WSW
45
WSW
35
W
45
W
50
WSW
35
WSW
35
WSW
15
WSW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
00:02AM3.26m
12:22PM3.17m
00:38AM3.07m
12:59PM3.00m
1:15AM2.86m
1:38PM2.80m
1:57AM2.64m
2:24PM2.60m
2:48AM2.43m
3:23PM2.43m
3:56AM2.29m
4:42PM2.34m
Low Tide
6:14AM0.16m
6:32PM0.31m
6:50AM0.36m
7:11PM0.51m
7:28AM0.58m
7:53PM0.73m
8:12AM0.80m
8:42PM0.94m
9:06AM0.99m
9:47PM1.10m
10:18AM1.11m
11:08PM1.15m
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
mod rain
light rain
cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:31
6:28
6:26
6:24
6:24
6:22
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:17
6:19
6:20
6:21
6:22
6:22
 mm
7
1
1
Temp °C
13
12
12
12
13
13
13
12
11
10
12
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
11
Feels °C
10
6
3
4
6
6
7
3
1
1
7
6
5
6
4
4
5
5
8
  • 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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