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Surf Forecasts:
Fox River surfForecast / West Coast South Island / New Zealand
Forecast update in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Fox River surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Fox River sea temperature is
15.1° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)Fox River surf forecast from 29 May 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 30 May, 9AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 13s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 31 May, 6PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, NNW swell with 2,920 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 30 May, 9AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 13s period with WSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Fox River this week:
The surf forecast for Fox River over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (May 30) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 5s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Fox River in the next 16 days are 3.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (May 31) 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 3.5m 10s period and expected on Sunday (May 31) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Sat 30th May) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Sat 30th May) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Sun 31st May) | 11ft (3.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Fox River over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 95mm), heaviest during Mon morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon morning, min 10°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the ESE on Fri night, fresh winds from the NNE by Sun afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 82mm), heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue morning, min 11°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 30 | Sunday 31 | Monday 1 | Tuesday 2 | Wednesday 3 | Thursday 4 | Fri 5 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | NNW 7 | NNW 10 | NNW 10 | WSW 12 | NW 10 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | W 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | NNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | NW 9 | |
561 | 414 | 261 | 327 | 1706 | 2810 | 58 | 134 | 109 | 111 | 74 | 73 | 93 | 353 | 193 | 133 | 119 | 477 | 336 | 572 | 750 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | |
High Tide | 9:36PM2.52m | 9:55AM2.51m | 10:13PM2.56m | 10:34AM2.53m | 10:51PM2.58m | 11:12AM2.53m | 11:29PM2.58m | 11:51AM2.51m | 00:07AM2.56m | 12:30PM2.47m | 00:47AM2.51m | 1:10PM2.41m | 1:27AM2.46m | 1:52PM2.34m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:47AM0.47m | 4:04PM0.47m | 4:26AM0.44m | 4:43PM0.47m | 5:05AM0.43m | 5:21PM0.48m | 5:44AM0.44m | 5:59PM0.50m | 6:23AM0.47m | 6:38PM0.54m | 7:03AM0.51m | 7:18PM0.58m | 7:44AM0.56m | ||||||||
— | 7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:54 | — | |
— | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:09 | |
— | — | — | — | 3 | 12 | 20 | 31 | 29 | 36 | 1 | 5 | 17 | 3 | 1 | — | 11 | 8 | 18 | 8 | 7 | |
Temp °C | 11 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 |
9 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 8 | |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | NNW 7 | WSW 12 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | NW 10 | WSW 12 | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | W 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | NNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | NW 9 |
561 | 414 | 261 | 327 | 60 | 64 | 58 | 134 | 109 | 1902 | 1277 | 738 | 305 | 353 | 193 | 133 | 119 | 477 | 336 | 572 | 750 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 11 | N 11 | N 10 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | W 10 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | W 6 | N 10 | W 11 | W 9 | N 9 | WSW 10 | NW 8 | N 8 | SW 12 |
2 | 2 | 2 | 136 | 30 | 32 | 29 | 83 | 71 | 111 | 74 | 73 | 58 | 156 | 144 | 57 | 14 | 40 | 158 | 176 | 39 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 11 | N 10 | N 10 | — | — | — | WNW 11 | N 16 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 9 | WSW 11 | WSW 6 | N 10 | N 9 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 10 | SW 13 | W 15 |
— | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | 24 | 5 | 57 | 39 | 26 | 93 | 45 | 90 | 60 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 42 | 17 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 5 | N 6 | — | NNW 10 | NNW 10 | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 5 | — | N 8 | — | — |
— | 7 | 77 | — | 1706 | 2810 | 2057 | 1448 | 2051 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 66 | — | 198 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 36 | 10 | 48 | 183 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 48 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 38 | 0 | 48 | 36 | 10 | 167 | 176 |
Best forecast wave conditions in West Coast South Island | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Fox River Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Fox River provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Fox River can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Fox River 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 (Fox River) 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 Fox River 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.
Fox River is 178 km (111 miles) from the city of Nelson. If you plan a holiday in West Coast South Island, look for hotels and other accommodation in Nelson. Nelson has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











