Smoothwater Bay surfForecast / West Coast South Island / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 am Tuesday 16 Dec 2025 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
14.8° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Smoothwater Bay this week:

The surf forecast for Smoothwater Bay over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Dec 16) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 2.1m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 1.9m and 10s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Smoothwater Bay in the next 12 days are 4.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Dec 16) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Tue 16th Dec)5.5ft (1.7m) 18s
Best Surf 4PM (Tue 16th Dec)15ft (4.5m) 16s
Most Powerful10PM (Tue 16th Dec)15ft (4.5m) 16s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Smoothwater Bay over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Moderate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Tue morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu afternoon, min 9°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 26mm), heaviest during Fri morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu night, min 9°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, strong winds from the WSW by Sat morning).

Tuesday
16
Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Mon
22
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
3
8
!
!
5
3
4
4
2
3
1
0
1
1
0
3
3
1
3
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
2.4
NW
3.5
WSW
4.5
WSW
4.5
WSW
3.5
WSW
3.5
WSW
2.2
WSW
2.2
WSW
2
WSW
2
WSW
2.5
WSW
2.5
WSW
3
WSW
3
WSW
3
WSW
3
WSW
2.1
WSW
2.1
WSW
1.6
WSW
1.1
WSW
0.8
WSW
Period(s) (?)111616151413131211111212713891111101010
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)1313718491248898552145771569136110121027164116899642509989160310491054530235120
Wind
(km/h)
10
NNE
10
NNW
15
WSW
15
SSW
10
W
20
WSW
10
SSW
5
WNW
20
W
10
W
15
WNW
35
WSW
30
SW
30
WSW
40
WSW
20
SW
15
WSW
20
W
5
ESE
20
E
10
E
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
oncrosscross-
off
crosscrosscross-
off
glasscrosscrosscross-
on
crosscross-
off
crosscrosscross-
off
crosscross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
9:39AM
1.77
10:01PM
1.81
10:25AM
1.82
10:44PM
1.86
11:06AM
1.88
11:26PM
1.90
11:45AM
1.93
12:06AM
1.94
12:23PM
1.96
12:44AM
1.96
1:00PM
1.98
1:22AM
1.96
1:37PM
1.98
Low Tide
/ height (m)
3:26AM
0.73
3:52PM
0.72
4:13AM
0.71
4:36PM
0.69
4:57AM
0.68
5:17PM
0.66
5:39AM
0.66
5:56PM
0.64
6:17AM
0.63
6:33PM
0.61
6:55AM
0.61
7:10PM
0.59
7:31AM
0.58
Tuesday
16
Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Mon
22
Sunrise-5:56--5:56--5:56--5:56--5:58--5:58--5:58-
Sunset--9:23--9:24--9:25--9:25--9:27--9:27--9:28
rain showers
mod rain
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
mod rain
heavy rain
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
mod rain
heavy rain
Rain (mm)
874------917--------811
Temp. °C131213111415141516141414111313111213111213
Feels °C (?)1110861010111313131263444889713
  • 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 12 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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