Smoothwater Bay surfForecast / West Coast South Island / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 am Saturday 18 Apr 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
16.7° C
(Which is 1.9°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 Saturday (Apr 18) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 1.7m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Smoothwater Bay in the next 16 days are 4.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Apr 19) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Apr 21) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Sat 18th Apr)11ft (3.5m) 13s
Best Surf12AM (Sun 19th Apr)13ft (4.0m) 15s
Most Powerful12AM (Sun 19th Apr)13ft (4.0m) 15s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 38mm), heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun afternoon, min 8°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Sat afternoon, fresh winds from the SSE by Mon night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue afternoon, min 6°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds.

Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
2
4
8
6
4
4
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
3
2
3
2
2
4
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
3
W
4
W
4
W
4
W
3.5
WSW
2
WSW
1.4
WSW
1
WSW
0.7
SW
0.4
SW
0.5
SW
0.7
SW
0.7
SW
0.7
SW
0.8
WSW
1
WSW
0.8
WSW
1.1
WSW
1
WSW
0.9
WSW
1.8
WSW
Period(s) (?)121215141413121212161614131213161614131816
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)286243817092638345631299573280137661192141781592095323145013575591576
Wind
(km/h)
20
WNW
5
W
15
ESE
15
ESE
15
E
20
SSE
30
SSE
20
SE
20
SSE
25
SSE
10
SSE
25
SSE
30
SE
15
SE
20
SSE
20
SSE
10
SE
15
SSE
15
SSE
5
WNW
10
SSE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offoffoffoffoffoffoffoffoffoffoffoffoffoffcross-
on
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
11:35AM
2.19
11:59PM
2.15
12:20PM
2.18
12:43AM
2.13
1:09PM
2.12
1:32AM
2.07
2:04PM
2.02
2:28AM
1.98
3:08PM
1.91
3:33AM
1.89
4:19PM
1.81
4:46AM
1.81
5:31PM
1.75
Low Tide
/ height (m)
5:48PM
0.14
6:07AM
0.16
6:32PM
0.19
6:53AM
0.21
7:21PM
0.29
7:45AM
0.31
8:15PM
0.42
8:46AM
0.43
9:16PM
0.54
9:57AM
0.54
10:27PM
0.64
11:12AM
0.60
11:42PM
0.69
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Sunrise7:22--7:22--7:24--7:24--7:26--7:28--7:28--
Sunset-6:07--6:05--6:02--6:01--6:00--5:59--5:57-
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
94205-----------------
Temp. °C13131013141014149131410121381112712129
Feels °C (?)9116910588381145836821095
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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