Smoothwater Bay surfForecast / West Coast South Island / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 pm Tuesday 28 Apr 2026 NZST
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
15.6° 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 Thursday (Apr 30) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 17s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 16s is also forecast. 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 3.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Apr 30) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Thu 30th Apr)10ft (3.0m) 10s
Best Surf 3AM (Thu 30th Apr)10ft (3.0m) 11s
Most Powerful 6AM (Thu 30th Apr)10ft (3.0m) 16s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Wed morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Wed afternoon, calm by Fri afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 11°C on Fri night, min 9°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Friday
1
Saturday
2
Sunday
3
Monday
4
Tue
5
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
1
4
5
5
4
4
3
4
4
3
4
3
2
3
2
1
2
1
1
Swell
Height Map
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
SW
20
1.1
SW
18
1.1
SW
18
3
WSW
10
3
WSW
15
3
WSW
14
2.5
WSW
14
2.1
WSW
13
1.9
WSW
13
2
WSW
14
2
WSW
15
2
WSW
14
1.7
WSW
13
1.6
WSW
13
1.5
WSW
13
1.3
WSW
13
1
WSW
12
1.1
WSW
12
0.8
WSW
14
1.5
NE
6
1.4
NNW
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
557
752
790
1941
4135
3501
2392
1510
1264
1390
1714
1582
1077
824
722
569
274
377
257
134
256
Wind (km/h)
5
SSE
5
NE
20
WNW
10
SSW
10
SE
5
N
10
E
10
ESE
5
NNE
10
SSE
5
S
10
W
5
S
5
SSE
10
WNW
5
SSE
5
SE
10
NE
15
ESE
20
ESE
15
NE
off
cross
cross-on
cross-off
off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
off
off
cross
off
off
cross-on
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
High Tide
9:25PM1.87m
9:44AM1.94m
10:05PM1.92m
10:22AM1.97m
10:41PM1.96m
10:57AM1.98m
11:15PM1.98m
11:32AM1.97m
11:48PM1.98m
12:06PM1.95m
00:20AM1.95m
12:42PM1.90m
00:55AM1.90m
1:19PM1.84m
Low Tide
3:34AM0.49m
3:54PM0.45m
4:14AM0.44m
4:32PM0.43m
4:50AM0.42m
5:07PM0.42m
5:24AM0.42m
5:41PM0.43m
5:58AM0.44m
6:16PM0.47m
6:32AM0.47m
6:51PM0.51m
7:06AM0.52m
clear
light rain
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:35
7:35
7:37
7:37
7:39
7:41
7:41
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:50
5:47
5:46
5:45
5:44
5:43
5:42
4
8
Temp °C
14
14
14
12
14
15
13
12
13
11
10
11
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
14
15
13
13
11
8
13
14
11
10
12
10
8
9
8
9
8
9
8
8
8
10
11
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
W
11
1.4
WSW
13
1.1
SW
18
1.2
SW
17
3
WSW
15
3
WSW
14
2.5
WSW
14
2.1
WSW
13
1.9
WSW
13
2
WSW
14
2
WSW
15
2
WSW
14
1.7
WSW
13
1.6
WSW
13
1.5
WSW
13
1.3
WSW
13
1
WSW
12
1.1
WSW
12
0.9
NW
6
1.1
NNW
7
1.4
NNW
8
Energy kJ
351
632
790
825
4135
3501
2392
1510
1264
1390
1714
1582
1077
824
722
569
274
377
52
134
237
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
SW
20
1.1
SW
18
1.1
WSW
12
0.2
N
16
0.2
N
16
0.2
N
15
0.2
N
14
0.3
NE
8
0.5
NE
6
0.2
NNE
5
0.2
N
13
0.2
N
13
0.2
N
14
0.2
N
16
0.2
N
15
0.2
N
14
0.6
WSW
15
0.3
NW
4
0.8
WSW
14
0.6
WSW
13
0.6
WSW
13
Energy kJ
557
752
383
19
19
17
16
11
19
3
14
14
15
19
17
16
152
3
257
118
116
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
WSW
14
0.2
N
15
0.2
N
15
0.1
N
16
0.1
N
16
0.1
N
15
0.1
N
14
0.2
N
14
0.2
N
14
0.1
N
14
0.1
N
17
0.1
N
13
0.1
N
16
0.1
N
16
0.1
N
7
0.1
N
6
0.2
NNE
10
0.2
N
14
0.2
N
13
0.2
N
13
0.2
N
13
Energy kJ
81
17
18
5
5
4
4
16
16
4
6
3
5
5
1
1
10
15
14
13
13
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
WNW
6
3
WSW
10
0.7
NE
4
0.6
ENE
4
0.9
NE
4
1.5
NE
6
1.8
NE
6
Energy kJ
117
1941
15
10
28
131
256
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
1
4
5
5
4
4
3
4
4
3
4
3
1
3
2
1
2
1
1
Distance (km)
0
151
259
0
0
0
0
0
259
0
0
259
0
0
239
0
0
263
0
36
238
Best forecast wave conditions in West Coast South Island
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
3
4
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
3
2
3
2
1
2
1
1
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
3
8
6
5
4
4
4
5
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
9
8
8
6
5
5
6
7
5
5
5
5
4
4
4
5
6
8
7
5
  • 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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