Smoothwater Bay surfForecast / West Coast South Island / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 pm Sunday 03 May 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
15.7° C
(Which is 1.4°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 Monday (May 04) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 14s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Smoothwater Bay in the next 16 days are 5.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (May 10) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 2s period and expected on Tuesday (May 05) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Mon 4th May)4.5ft (1.3m) 13s
Best Surf 3PM (Sun 10th May)16ft (5.0m) 13s
Most Powerful12PM (Sun 10th May)16ft (5.0m) 14s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed morning, min 10°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 100mm), heaviest during Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ENE on Wed afternoon, calm by Thu morning).

Sun
3
Monday
4
Tuesday
5
Wednesday
6
Thursday
7
Friday
8
Saturday
9
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
3
2
3
2
1
2
2
0
2
4
2
3
1
0
0
3
4
4
0
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>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
WSW
13
1.3
WSW
13
1.3
WSW
13
1.2
WSW
13
1.2
WSW
14
1
WSW
14
0.9
SW
13
0.9
SW
15
0.9
SW
15
3.5
NE
8
2.5
N
10
1.6
WSW
14
1
SW
14
1
SW
14
1.1
SW
13
1.3
WSW
13
3
N
9
2.2
WSW
15
3
N
11
3.5
WSW
14
4
WSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
812
578
497
454
602
379
253
380
360
1299
1346
1014
373
373
412
555
1436
2158
2017
4298
6829
Wind (km/h)
5
WNW
10
SSE
10
SSE
5
NW
5
SSE
10
SE
5
NE
15
E
20
ESE
40
ENE
10
W
10
SSE
5
NE
15
ESE
20
ENE
30
NNE
30
N
20
ENE
5
NW
25
WSW
35
WSW
glassy
off
off
glassy
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
off
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
High Tide
00:20AM1.95m
12:42PM1.90m
00:55AM1.90m
1:19PM1.84m
1:32AM1.84m
1:59PM1.77m
2:13AM1.76m
2:46PM1.69m
3:02AM1.69m
3:40PM1.62m
4:01AM1.63m
4:42PM1.58m
5:07AM1.60m
Low Tide
6:16PM0.47m
6:32AM0.47m
6:51PM0.51m
7:06AM0.52m
7:27PM0.57m
7:45AM0.58m
8:08PM0.62m
8:29AM0.64m
8:54PM0.67m
9:23AM0.68m
9:48PM0.71m
10:26AM0.70m
10:52PM0.71m
11:32AM0.67m
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
heavy rain
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
light rain
heavy rain
rain showers
rain showers
clear
rain showers
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:41
7:41
7:43
7:43
7:45
7:46
7:47
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:44
5:43
5:42
5:39
5:38
5:37
5:36
5:35
13
17
1
34
29
6
5
3
Temp °C
13
12
11
12
11
12
12
11
14
15
15
14
14
14
14
16
16
15
15
12
11
13
11
10
11
9
10
10
8
9
8
11
13
13
11
10
13
13
12
14
7
3
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
WSW
13
1.3
WSW
13
1.3
WSW
13
1.2
WSW
13
1.2
WSW
14
1
WSW
14
0.9
SW
13
0.9
SW
15
1.4
NNW
7
1.4
NNW
9
2.5
N
10
1.8
N
9
1.5
N
8
1.2
N
8
1.1
SW
13
1.3
WSW
13
3
N
9
2.5
NNE
10
3
N
11
2.2
NW
12
1.7
NW
10
Energy kJ
812
578
497
454
602
379
253
380
178
340
1346
503
320
187
412
555
1436
1224
2017
1369
524
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
N
15
0.3
N
14
0.3
N
14
0.3
NNE
14
0.3
NNE
13
0.3
N
13
0.6
NW
6
0.7
NW
6
0.9
SW
15
0.9
SW
15
1
SW
14
1.6
WSW
14
1
SW
14
1
SW
14
0.9
N
8
0.3
WNW
8
1.2
WSW
13
2.3
NNW
11
1.7
WSW
15
1
N
11
0.1
N
12
Energy kJ
17
37
37
36
34
30
25
33
360
380
412
1014
373
373
92
14
437
1260
1297
247
3
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
N
14
0.1
N
13
0.1
N
13
0.2
N
7
0.4
NNE
13
0.2
N
12
0.2
N
12
0.3
WNW
10
0.6
WNW
10
1
WNW
8
1
WSW
8
0.6
WNW
7
0.4
SW
18
0.1
N
14
0.8
WSW
17
0.2
WNW
17
Energy kJ
4
4
3
4
66
11
11
19
78
125
128
33
83
4
373
30
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
E
2
0.6
ENE
3
1.6
NE
6
3.5
NE
8
0.8
NE
4
2.1
NNE
6
2.2
WSW
15
2.5
W
8
3.5
WSW
14
4
WSW
14
Energy kJ
1
6
165
1299
29
344
2158
970
4298
6829
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
3
2
3
2
1
2
1
1
4
4
2
3
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
Distance (km)
0
0
0
0
0
0
36
0
228
265
36
0
259
0
36
238
217
217
217
219
217
Best forecast wave conditions in West Coast South Island
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
3
2
3
2
2
2
1
1
4
4
3
3
2
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
3
3
3
2
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
4
6
5
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
5
4
5
5
5
8
7
8
5
4
4
6
5
5
5
6
5
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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