Smoothwater Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 43.98° S 168.59° E

Issued: 11 pm 02 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Smoothwater Bay sea temperature is
13.7° C

1.2°C warmer than normal for this time of year

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 2 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 4 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 11s period, NNW swell with onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 6 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 17s period, WSW swell with 10,466 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 4 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 11s period with NNW 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 Saturday (Jul 04) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 4.5m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 16s. The wind is predicted to be onshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Smoothwater Bay in the next 16 days are 4.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 06) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Monday (Jul 06) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Sat 4th Jul)15ft (4.5m) 11s
Best Surf12PM (Sat 4th Jul)15ft (4.5m) 11s
Most Powerful 3AM (Mon 6th Jul)15ft (4.5m) 17s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 103mm), heaviest during Sat morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat morning, min 7°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NNE on Sat morning, calm by Sun afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Wed afternoon, min 4°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
3
Saturday
4
Sunday
5
Monday
6
Tuesday
7
Wednesday
8
Thu
9
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
0
0
3
4
4
6
9
9
7
5
4
4
3
4
4
4
4
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
WNW
11
1.7
WNW
10
2.2
WNW
10
3
WNW
11
4.5
NNW
11
3.5
NW
11
1.4
WSW
17
3.5
W
11
4
W
13
4
WSW
18
4
WSW
17
3.5
WSW
16
2.5
WSW
15
2.2
SW
14
1.9
SW
14
1.5
SW
13
1.4
SW
13
1.9
SW
16
2.2
SW
16
1.9
WSW
15
2.2
WSW
18
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
370
506
1042
2128
5043
2578
1024
3160
5073
10310
9460
6370
3371
1876
1428
769
651
1899
2291
1508
3067
Wind (km/h)
15
ENE
20
ENE
25
ENE
35
ENE
45
NNE
15
W
10
SSW
15
E
5
SW
15
SSE
25
SSE
15
SSE
20
SSE
25
SSE
20
SSE
15
SSE
15
SSE
10
SE
15
SSE
10
SSE
10
W
Wind State
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross
High Tide
1:00AM1.99m
1:23PM1.93m
1:37AM1.97m
2:01PM1.90m
2:15AM1.93m
2:41PM1.85m
2:56AM1.89m
3:24PM1.81m
3:43AM1.84m
4:13PM1.76m
4:36AM1.80m
5:10PM1.74m
5:38AM1.79m
Low Tide
7:12AM0.54m
7:30PM0.54m
7:51AM0.52m
8:08PM0.53m
8:32AM0.51m
8:48PM0.54m
9:15AM0.52m
9:33PM0.56m
10:03AM0.53m
10:24PM0.58m
10:56AM0.54m
11:23PM0.60m
11:57AM0.55m
light rain
light rain
light rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
8:19
8:19
8:19
8:19
8:18
8:18
8:18
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:17
5:19
5:20
5:20
5:21
5:22
5:22
 mm
1
1
1
34
41
8
16
1
Temp °C
11
11
12
13
14
12
10
9
10
7
8
9
5
8
10
7
11
12
8
10
11
Feels °C
8
6
6
5
11
9
7
5
7
2
3
3
-1
2
5
2
8
9
3
8
8
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
WNW
11
1.7
WNW
10
2.2
WNW
10
3
WNW
11
0.6
WSW
16
3.5
NW
11
2
N
10
3.5
W
11
4
W
13
4
WSW
18
4
WSW
17
3.5
WSW
16
2.5
WSW
15
2.2
SW
14
1.9
SW
14
1.5
SW
13
1.4
SW
13
1.9
SW
16
2.2
SW
16
1.9
WSW
15
2.2
WSW
18
Energy kJ
370
506
1042
2128
171
2578
752
3160
5073
10310
9460
6370
3371
1876
1428
769
651
1899
2291
1508
3067
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
SW
15
0.5
SW
14
0.4
SW
13
0.4
SW
13
0.4
WSW
20
2.2
NNE
9
1.6
NW
10
1.5
WSW
15
0.9
NNE
8
0.6
N
8
0.5
NE
8
0.4
NE
10
0.4
NE
8
0.4
SW
19
1
SW
17
0.2
ENE
7
0.4
WSW
22
1.3
SW
19
Energy kJ
104
99
61
42
136
783
496
962
111
50
28
23
18
96
594
5
181
1137
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SW
14
0.1
SW
18
0.4
SW
17
0.3
NNW
14
1.2
WSW
18
1.4
WSW
17
1.4
NNE
9
0.6
N
9
0.6
NE
8
0.1
W
16
0.2
NNE
8
0.2
NNE
8
0.1
SW
24
Energy kJ
47
13
76
36
919
1024
294
55
38
5
6
6
22
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
N
6
1.7
NE
6
1.8
NE
6
2.3
NNE
6
4.5
NNW
11
1.8
W
10
0.8
SSE
4
0.8
SSE
4
0.5
SSE
4
0.7
SSE
4
0.5
SSE
3
0.6
SE
4
0.6
SSE
3
0.4
SSE
3
0.6
SE
4
Energy kJ
77
176
215
418
5043
612
16
16
8
11
7
8
8
3
10
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
2
1
1
3
4
4
6
9
9
7
5
4
4
3
4
4
4
4
3
Distance (km)
36
228
151
217
219
238
0
36
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
151
Best forecast wave conditions in West Coast South Island
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
4
4
4
6
9
9
7
5
4
4
3
4
4
4
4
4
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
3
4
2
3
4
4
6
9
9
7
6
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
5
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
9
5
9
5
7
5
5
9
7
7
6
9
8
6
6
7
9
7
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)
Map placeholder
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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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