Smoothwater Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 43.98° S 168.59° E

Smoothwater Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 04 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Smoothwater Bay sea temperature is
13.0°C
1.1° 

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 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 TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Sat 5th Sep)20ft (6.0m) 14s
Best Surf12AM (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 Forecast

Heavy 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 Summary

Heavy 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
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
!
!
!
!
8
7
5
4
3
3
3
1
3
4
2
0
!
!
!
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
5
W
9
6
W
11
6
W
14
5
W
15
5
W
16
5
WSW
17
4
WSW
16
3.5
WSW
16
2.5
WSW
15
2.1
WSW
14
1.9
WSW
13
1.6
WSW
13
1.2
WSW
12
1
WSW
12
2
WSW
8
2.3
WSW
11
1.1
SW
18
3.5
W
13
4.5
W
14
6
WSW
20
7.5
WSW
19
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
4338
8806
12435
10936
13210
13751
8378
5896
3009
1797
1303
787
378
280
475
1288
776
3579
7025
27780
39338
Wind (km/h)
40
WSW
40
WSW
20
WSW
10
NW
15
WNW
10
ESE
15
SE
5
SSE
15
SSE
10
SSE
10
NNW
5
SSW
5
SSW
10
W
10
SSE
5
ESE
10
WNW
20
NNE
25
SW
35
SW
10
S
Wind State
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
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
mod rain
mod rain
rain showers
mod rain
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
heavy rain
part cloud
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:07
7:05
7:05
7:03
7:01
6:58
6:56
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
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
  • 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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