Smoothwater Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 43.98° S 168.59° E

Smoothwater Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 11 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Smoothwater Bay sea temperature is
12.6°C
0.7° 

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 10 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 11 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 17s period, WSW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 12 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 16s period, WSW swell with 14,707 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 11 Sep, 12PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 17s 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 Friday (Sep 11) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 4.5m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 3.5m and 17s. 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 5.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 12) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Fri 11th Sep)15ft (4.5m) 17s
Best Surf12PM (Fri 11th Sep)15ft (4.5m) 17s
Most Powerful 6AM (Sat 12th Sep)18ft (5.5m) 16s

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


Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 12°C on Sun morning, min 6°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri morning, fresh winds from the WSW by Sat afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 77mm), heaviest during Tue night. Very mild (max 12°C on Mon afternoon, min 6°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon night, fresh winds from the NNW by Tue night).

Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
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
!
!
!
0
!
!
5
9
5
2
4
3
2
0
2
4
!
7
!
!
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
4
WSW
17
4.5
WSW
16
5.5
WSW
16
5
WSW
16
5
WSW
16
4.5
WSW
17
4.5
WSW
16
4
WSW
16
3.5
WSW
15
3
WSW
14
2.5
WSW
14
1.9
WSW
14
1.7
WSW
14
2
W
13
3
WNW
10
2.5
WNW
9
3
WSW
13
5
WSW
14
4
WSW
15
4.5
WSW
16
5
WSW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
10170
10745
14639
13916
13232
10169
9146
7912
5163
3484
2494
1504
1023
1370
1478
1026
3314
9388
6863
8941
11058
Wind (km/h)
5
ENE
25
WSW
35
SW
25
SW
35
WSW
20
SW
15
SW
25
WSW
10
SW
5
SW
15
W
10
ESE
15
ENE
20
NE
30
NNW
20
WSW
10
W
10
S
10
SW
25
W
35
SW
Wind State
glassy
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross
on
cross
cross
off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
High Tide
11:13AM2.06m
11:31PM2.14m
11:53AM2.07m
00:10AM2.12m
12:30PM2.04m
00:47AM2.05m
1:05PM1.98m
1:24AM1.96m
1:41PM1.90m
2:02AM1.85m
2:17PM1.81m
2:43AM1.74m
2:59PM1.70m
Low Tide
5:21PM0.19m
5:43AM0.15m
6:00PM0.18m
6:22AM0.18m
6:38PM0.22m
6:59AM0.24m
7:14PM0.29m
7:35AM0.34m
7:51PM0.40m
8:12AM0.46m
8:30PM0.52m
8:53AM0.58m
9:15PM0.64m
cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
light rain
light rain
part cloud
clear
mod rain
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:56
6:54
6:52
6:50
6:48
6:47
6:45
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:29
6:30
6:30
6:31
6:32
6:35
6:36
 mm
1
3
2
12
61
1
1
7
Temp °C
9
10
9
10
11
10
12
12
11
11
12
11
11
11
12
11
10
8
10
10
8
Feels °C
8
4
1
2
3
6
7
6
8
8
9
10
8
7
7
6
7
5
3
3
-2
  • 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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