Surf Break

Lat Long: 43.98° S 168.59° E

Smoothwater Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 am 17 Oct 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Smoothwater Bay sea temperature is
13.5°C
1.3° 

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 16 Oct 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 18 Oct, 10PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 23 Oct, 7PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 16s period, WSW swell with 2,895 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 17 Oct, 10AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 11s period with WSW 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 (Oct 17) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Smoothwater Bay in the next 16 days are 2.4m 16s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Oct 23) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Oct 18) at 10PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10AM (Sat 17th Oct)4.5ft (1.3m) 11s
Best Surf10PM (Sun 18th Oct)5ft (1.6m) 16s
Most Powerful 7PM (Fri 23rd Oct)8ft (2.4m) 16s

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


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Mon morning, min 7°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Thu morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed morning, min 10°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
17
Sunday
18
Monday
19
Tuesday
20
Wednesday
21
Thursday
22
Friday
23
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
0
3
2
2
4
3
2
4
3
2
4
3
2
4
4
2
4
4
2
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
WSW
11
1.3
WSW
12
1.1
SW
12
0.9
SW
12
1.3
SW
16
1.7
SW
15
1.8
SW
14
2.5
WSW
13
1.9
WSW
13
2.1
WSW
12
1.4
SW
16
2.1
WSW
15
1.9
WSW
14
1.9
WSW
14
1.7
WSW
13
2
W
10
2.2
WSW
12
2.1
WSW
12
1.8
WSW
12
2.4
WSW
15
2.4
WSW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
403
496
325
202
844
1289
1249
2146
1144
1278
952
1846
1342
1357
958
739
1316
1131
964
2716
2611
Wind (km/h)
5
NNW
10
W
5
SSE
5
NW
10
W
10
SSW
15
WSW
25
WSW
10
SSW
5
W
20
W
10
SSW
10
W
20
W
10
SW
0
S
20
W
10
SSW
5
WNW
10
WNW
5
SE
Wind State
glassy
cross-on
glassy
glassy
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
glassy
cross
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
glassy
High Tide
4:01AM1.65m
4:16PM1.64m
4:59AM1.57m
5:19PM1.56m
6:06AM1.52m
6:33PM1.54m
7:14AM1.53m
7:43PM1.57m
8:17AM1.58m
8:43PM1.65m
9:12AM1.67m
9:31PM1.76m
9:58AM1.78m
10:14PM1.88m
Low Tide
10:08AM0.68m
10:39PM0.71m
11:06AM0.75m
11:47PM0.76m
12:16PM0.78m
1:00AM0.75m
1:28PM0.76m
2:05AM0.69m
2:31PM0.68m
3:00AM0.59m
3:23PM0.58m
3:46AM0.48m
4:06PM0.47m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:50
—
—
6:50
—
—
6:48
—
—
6:46
—
—
6:45
—
—
6:43
—
—
6:41
—
—
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
—
8:10
—
—
8:12
—
—
8:13
—
—
8:15
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—
8:15
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—
8:16
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—
8:19
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 mm
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
1
—
—
—
—
—
Temp °C
10
11
9
9
10
9
12
12
11
12
12
11
14
14
12
13
14
12
12
14
12
Feels °C
8
8
7
8
8
6
7
7
8
9
8
8
10
10
10
12
11
10
11
12
11
  • 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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