Smoothwater Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 43.98° S 168.59° E

Smoothwater Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 25 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Smoothwater Bay sea temperature is
13.0° C
0.8° 

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 24 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 25 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 16s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 16s period, WSW swell with 9,629 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 25 Jul, 12PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 16s 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 (Jul 25) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 4.5m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. 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 4.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 26) at 6PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Sat 25th Jul)15ft (4.5m) 16s
Best Surf12PM (Sat 25th Jul)15ft (4.5m) 16s
Most Powerful12PM (Sat 25th Jul)15ft (4.5m) 16s

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


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Sat afternoon, min 4°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 48mm), heaviest during Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 11°C on Wed afternoon, min 8°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the NE on Tue morning, strong winds from the NE by Thu morning).

Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Friday
31
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
9
7
5
4
3
4
4
3
2
2
1
3
4
2
2
0
0
0
4
3
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3.5
WSW
16
4
WSW
15
3
WSW
14
2.2
WSW
14
2.3
WSW
13
1.9
WSW
12
1.9
WSW
12
1.5
WSW
11
1.3
WSW
11
1.2
WSW
11
1.2
WSW
10
1.3
W
10
2.1
WSW
14
2.1
WSW
13
1.7
WSW
13
2
WSW
16
2.5
WSW
14
3.5
WSW
12
2.1
WSW
13
3
WSW
8
3
WSW
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
5717
7797
4237
1813
1821
1106
1000
591
394
328
291
347
1680
1533
923
1851
2566
3017
1533
1351
2448
Wind (km/h)
15
SSW
15
WSW
10
SSE
10
SSE
15
WSW
10
S
10
SSE
5
NW
10
ESE
10
ESE
10
NE
10
E
15
E
15
ENE
20
ENE
35
ENE
30
NNW
30
W
5
SSW
10
W
10
SSE
Wind State
cross-off
cross
off
off
cross
off
off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
off
High Tide
8:42PM1.71m
9:07AM1.75m
9:33PM1.79m
9:55AM1.82m
10:17PM1.87m
10:37AM1.89m
10:56PM1.95m
11:16AM1.95m
11:31PM2.01m
11:51AM1.99m
00:05AM2.05m
12:25PM2.01m
00:38AM2.06m
Low Tide
2:28PM0.83m
2:57AM0.80m
3:24PM0.78m
3:46AM0.74m
4:10PM0.71m
4:28AM0.67m
4:50PM0.63m
5:06AM0.60m
5:26PM0.56m
5:41AM0.53m
5:59PM0.50m
6:16AM0.47m
6:32PM0.45m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
rain showers
mod rain
rain showers
mod rain
clear
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
8:07
8:06
8:04
8:03
8:03
8:02
8:00
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:36
5:37
5:37
5:38
5:39
5:40
5:42
 mm
3
3
2
4
7
20
9
Temp °C
8
9
5
8
9
8
9
9
8
10
10
10
10
11
11
11
11
10
10
10
8
Feels °C
3
4
1
5
5
4
6
7
5
7
7
7
6
7
7
3
5
4
8
7
4
  • 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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