
Surf Forecasts:
Smoothwater Bay surf forecast from 3 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 5 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 20ft (6.0m), 14s period, W swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 25ft (7.5m), 20s period, WSW swell with 40,201 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 5 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 20ft (6.0m), 14s period with W 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 (Sep 05) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 6.0m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 1.2m and 10s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Smoothwater Bay in the next 16 days are 7.5m 20s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Sat 5th Sep) | 20ft (6.0m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Sat 5th Sep) | 20ft (6.0m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Thu 10th Sep) | 25ft (7.5m) 20s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Smoothwater Bay over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 44mm), heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 11°C on Sat morning, min 9°C on Fri afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Fri afternoon, light winds from the SSE by Sun afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 29mm), heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 13°C on Mon morning, min 8°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 11 | W 14 | W 15 | W 16 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 8 | WSW 11 | SW 18 | W 13 | W 14 | WSW 20 | WSW 19 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
4338 | 8806 | 12435 | 10936 | 13210 | 13751 | 8378 | 5896 | 3009 | 1797 | 1303 | 787 | 378 | 280 | 475 | 1288 | 776 | 3579 | 7025 | 27780 | 39338 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:12PM1.75m | 4:55AM1.73m | 5:31PM1.69m | 6:19AM1.69m | 6:57PM1.71m | 7:37AM1.73m | 8:12PM1.80m | 8:46AM1.82m | 9:14PM1.93m | 9:42AM1.92m | 10:04PM2.04m | 10:31AM2.01m | 10:49PM2.11m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:57AM0.57m | 10:33PM0.61m | 11:09AM0.66m | 11:57PM0.65m | 12:35PM0.68m | 1:21AM0.60m | 1:56PM0.61m | 2:32AM0.49m | 3:01PM0.49m | 3:29AM0.36m | 3:54PM0.36m | 4:19AM0.25m | 4:40PM0.25m | ||||||||
7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | |
— | 6:21 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:23 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:28 | — | |
mm | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 29 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 10 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 6 |
Feels °C | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NNW 10 | W 15 | W 16 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | WSW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 8 | WSW 11 | W 11 | SW 16 | WSW 21 | WSW 20 | WSW 19 |
— | — | 281 | 10936 | 13210 | 13751 | 8378 | 5896 | 3009 | 1797 | 1303 | 787 | 378 | 280 | 475 | 1288 | 776 | 767 | 2073 | 27780 | 39338 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | — | — | NNW 8 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | N 8 | NNE 7 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WSW 21 | WSW 19 | SW 18 | WSW 25 | — | — | — |
— | — | 269 | 194 | — | — | 192 | 464 | 588 | 352 | 118 | 62 | 111 | 74 | 286 | 470 | 719 | 61 | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 9 | NW 9 | NNE 7 | NW 9 | W 14 | NW 8 | NW 8 | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 132 | 62 | 48 | 28 | 129 | 10 | 15 | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 11 | W 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | — | — | — | W 13 | W 14 | — | — |
4338 | 8806 | 12435 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 66 | 66 | — | — | — | 3579 | 7025 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 228 | 458 | 228 | 228 | 228 | 217 | 36 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 269 | 0 | 0 | 247 | 0 | 0 | 151 | 228 | 250 | 217 | 217 |
Best forecast wave conditions in West Coast South Island | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










