Smoothwater Bay surfForecast / West Coast South Island / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 pm Wednesday 17 Dec 2025 NZDT
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
14.7° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Smoothwater Bay this week:

The surf forecast for Smoothwater Bay over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Dec 18) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 12s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 15s 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 12 days are 3.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Dec 17) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Thu 18th Dec)10ft (3.0m) 13s
Best Surf 7PM (Fri 19th Dec)15ft (4.5m) 10s
Most Powerful10PM (Wed 17th Dec)10ft (3.0m) 13s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Smoothwater Bay over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 43mm), heaviest during Fri morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed afternoon, min 8°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed night, fresh winds from the WSW by Fri afternoon).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 22mm), heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon morning, min 9°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Sat morning, calm by Mon night).

Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
5
3
4
4
0
3
2
1
4
1
0
4
2
1
2
1
0
0
1
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
3.5
WSW
3.5
WSW
3
WSW
2.2
WSW
1.9
WSW
1.9
WSW
1.9
WSW
3.5
WSW
3.5
WSW
3.5
WSW
3.5
WSW
2.5
WSW
1.9
WSW
1.6
WSW
1.5
WSW
1.1
WSW
0.9
WSW
0.6
WSW
1.5
NE
1.1
NW
2.4
NW
Period(s) (?)14131312111112810991011111010109589
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)55214496270513619178859931530215617472039126083856042723114554126150921
Wind
(km/h)
10
W
20
WSW
10
SW
5
NW
15
W
5
N
15
N
35
WSW
10
SSW
30
WSW
35
WSW
10
S
10
NW
10
W
5
SE
15
ENE
25
ENE
15
ENE
10
SW
10
W
10
WSW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
crosscross-
off
glasscross-
on
glasscross-
on
crosscross-
off
crosscrosscross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
glasscrosscrosscrosscross-
off
crosscross
High Tide
/ height (m)
10:25AM
1.82
10:44PM
1.86
11:06AM
1.88
11:26PM
1.90
11:45AM
1.93
12:06AM
1.94
12:23PM
1.96
12:44AM
1.96
1:00PM
1.98
1:22AM
1.96
1:37PM
1.98
2:01AM
1.95
2:15PM
1.97
2:41AM
1.91
Low Tide
/ height (m)
4:36PM
0.69
4:57AM
0.68
5:17PM
0.66
5:39AM
0.66
5:56PM
0.64
6:17AM
0.63
6:33PM
0.61
6:55AM
0.61
7:10PM
0.59
7:31AM
0.58
7:48PM
0.57
8:09AM
0.57
8:28PM
0.56
Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
Sunrise5:56--5:56--5:56--5:58--5:58--5:58--5:58--
Sunset-9:24--9:25--9:25--9:27--9:27--9:28--9:28-
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
heavy rain
heavy rain
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
heavy rain
rain showers
clear
rain showers
Rain (mm)
-----13291---------222-1
Temp. °C141513151514151211131312121311141414151614
Feels °C (?)11101013121314574479989914141413
  • 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 12 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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