Smoothwater Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 43.98° S 168.59° E

Smoothwater Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 31 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Smoothwater Bay sea temperature is
12.8° C
0.7° 

Smoothwater Bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Smoothwater Bay surf forecast from 30 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 31 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 20ft (6.0m), 13s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 31 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 20ft (6.0m), 13s period, WSW swell with 12,278 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 31 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 20ft (6.0m), 13s period with W swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Smoothwater Bay this week:

The surf forecast for Smoothwater Bay over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 31) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 6.0m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Smoothwater Bay in the next 16 days are 6.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 31) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 01) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Fri 31st Jul)20ft (6.0m) 13s
Best Surf 9AM (Fri 31st Jul)20ft (6.0m) 13s
Most Powerful 3PM (Fri 31st Jul)20ft (6.0m) 13s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Smoothwater Bay over the next 16 days.


Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 11°C on Sun night, min 4°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Fri morning, calm by Sat morning).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Very mild (max 12°C on Mon morning, min 4°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Mon afternoon, calm by Tue morning).

Friday
31
Saturday
1
Sunday
2
Monday
3
Tuesday
4
Wednesday
5
Thursday
6
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
!
!
5
4
1
3
3
4
8
2
2
6
4
4
4
3
1
2
3
1
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
6
W
13
6
WSW
13
3
WSW
12
2
WSW
12
1.5
WSW
10
1.7
WSW
11
0.6
SW
19
1.2
SW
20
3
WSW
18
2.2
SW
17
2.2
SW
16
3.5
WSW
15
2.5
WSW
14
2.1
WSW
14
1.6
WSW
13
1.2
WSW
12
1
WSW
12
0.9
WSW
13
1.3
NW
9
2.4
NE
7
2.4
NNE
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
12196
12278
3045
1006
428
777
299
1111
4933
2683
2537
5096
2606
1627
862
403
294
286
243
590
751
Wind (km/h)
40
SW
20
SW
15
SSE
10
SSE
10
W
10
SE
5
E
5
E
5
E
30
WSW
35
WSW
15
SSW
10
SSE
5
NW
10
SSE
10
ESE
10
ENE
15
SE
10
ESE
15
NE
10
SE
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-on
off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross
cross
cross-off
off
glassy
off
cross-off
cross
off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
High Tide
12:25PM2.01m
00:38AM2.06m
12:59PM2.01m
1:12AM2.06m
1:34PM1.99m
1:47AM2.03m
2:10PM1.94m
2:26AM1.98m
2:50PM1.89m
3:09AM1.91m
3:36PM1.82m
4:01AM1.83m
4:33PM1.75m
Low Tide
6:32PM0.45m
6:50AM0.42m
7:05PM0.42m
7:25AM0.39m
7:40PM0.41m
8:02AM0.39m
8:17PM0.43m
8:43AM0.42m
8:59PM0.48m
9:27AM0.48m
9:48PM0.54m
10:20AM0.54m
10:49PM0.60m
rain showers
cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
8:00
8:00
7:58
7:58
7:56
7:54
7:54
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:42
5:44
5:45
5:45
5:46
5:47
5:49
 mm
1
5
4
1
Temp °C
8
10
6
8
8
7
8
8
11
12
11
8
8
8
6
9
10
9
11
11
9
Feels °C
0
4
1
5
3
3
5
6
6
6
4
3
5
5
2
6
7
4
7
7
5
  • 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 Smoothwater Bay Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Smoothwater Bay provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Smoothwater Bay can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Smoothwater Bay 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 (Smoothwater Bay) 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 Smoothwater Bay 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 West Coast South Island? If you are looking for accommodation near Smoothwater Bay, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in West Coast South Island, consider staying in Okuru which is 28 km (17 miles) away.

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