Smoothwater Bay surfForecast / West Coast South Island / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Sunday 15 Mar 2026 NZDT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Smoothwater Bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Smoothwater Bay sea temperature is
17.1° C
(Which is 1.2°C warmer than normal for this time of year)

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 Monday (Mar 16) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 13s. 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 3.5m 17s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Mar 16) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 6s period and expected on Friday (Mar 20) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Mon 16th Mar)10ft (3.0m) 17s
Best Surf 4AM (Mon 16th Mar)10ft (3.0m) 17s
Most Powerful 1AM (Mon 16th Mar)11ft (3.5m) 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 51mm), heaviest during Tue night. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed morning, min 11°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed afternoon, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Sun
15
Monday
16
Tuesday
17
Wednesday
18
Thursday
19
Friday
20
Saturday
21
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
3
6
5
2
4
4
2
0
3
2
3
3
2
2
3
3
4
4
3
4
3
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
3.5
WSW
3.5
WSW
2.5
WSW
2.4
WSW
2.1
WSW
1.7
WSW
1.5
WSW
1.2
SW
2.5
WNW
2.2
WNW
1.9
WNW
1.5
WSW
1.5
WSW
1.3
WSW
1.5
WSW
1.7
WSW
1.8
WSW
2
WSW
1.8
WSW
1.6
WSW
1.4
WSW
Period(s) (?)141716161414131399912111113131314131514
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)499064793460268216531176749486113278153059552735971110301049139011691117742
Wind
(km/h)
25
WSW
15
SW
5
SE
10
WNW
10
SSE
10
E
10
NE
25
NNE
10
WSW
20
W
5
SSE
5
SW
10
W
10
SSW
0
SSW
5
W
5
SE
5
E
10
NNE
10
ESE
5
ESE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crosscross-
off
offcross-
on
offcross-
off
crosscross-
on
crosscrossoffglasscrosscross-
off
glasscross-
on
offglasscross-
on
cross-
off
glass
High Tide
/ height (m)
10:11PM
1.73
10:31AM
1.82
10:55PM
1.84
11:10AM
1.94
11:34PM
1.95
11:47AM
2.05
12:10AM
2.04
12:23PM
2.14
12:46AM
2.10
1:00PM
2.18
1:24AM
2.12
1:40PM
2.18
2:03AM
2.10
Low Tide
/ height (m)
4:01PM
0.61
4:23AM
0.56
4:44PM
0.48
5:03AM
0.44
5:22PM
0.35
5:40AM
0.33
5:59PM
0.24
6:16AM
0.25
6:35PM
0.17
6:52AM
0.20
7:13PM
0.15
7:30AM
0.19
7:53PM
0.18
8:10AM
0.23
Sun
15
Monday
16
Tuesday
17
Wednesday
18
Thursday
19
Friday
20
Saturday
21
Sunrise--7:41--7:43--7:43--7:45--7:46--7:48--7:48
Sunset8:07--8:06--8:04--8:01--8:00--7:59--7:57--
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
heavy rain
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
Rain (mm)
-------501------------
Temp. °C161315161415151617171515151415161616161515
Feels °C (?)11914141313131415141414131214151515161514
  • 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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