Smoothwater Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 43.98° S 168.59° E

Smoothwater Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 10 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Smoothwater Bay sea temperature is
13.5° C
1.2° 

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 9 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 15 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 15s period, W swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 15 Jul, 12AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 16s period, W swell with 10,116 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 10 Jul, 3PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 15s period with WSW 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 Friday (Jul 10) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 20s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Smoothwater Bay in the next 16 days are 4.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3PM (Fri 10th Jul)6ft (1.9m) 15s
Best Surf 3AM (Wed 15th Jul)15ft (4.5m) 15s
Most Powerful12AM (Wed 15th Jul)15ft (4.5m) 16s

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


Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Sun night. Very mild (max 12°C on Sun night, min 6°C on Fri morning). Winds increasing (calm on Fri afternoon, fresh winds from the NE by Sun night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 70mm), heaviest during Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue afternoon, min 7°C on Wed night). Mainly strong winds.

Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
5
4
4
4
4
2
1
0
0
4
2
2
0
8
5
6
5
3
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2
WSW
16
1.9
WSW
15
2.2
SW
17
2.4
WSW
16
2.3
WSW
16
2.1
WSW
15
1.8
WSW
15
1.6
WSW
14
1.3
WSW
14
3
N
8
4.5
NNE
9
2
N
9
1.9
WNW
12
1.9
WSW
16
4.5
W
16
4
W
15
3.5
W
15
3.5
WSW
15
3
WSW
14
2.5
WSW
14
2.2
WSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2007
1550
2927
2856
2697
1921
1409
1072
586
1268
3134
621
1018
1708
10116
7327
5777
5176
3731
2747
1809
Wind (km/h)
5
SE
5
NE
10
SE
10
SE
5
NE
10
ESE
10
E
15
NE
20
NE
40
NE
45
NE
5
ESE
20
ENE
20
NE
30
WNW
10
SSW
15
WSW
10
SSW
10
SSW
10
WSW
10
SSE
Wind State
cross-off
glassy
off
off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
off
High Tide
7:22PM1.78m
7:52AM1.85m
8:28PM1.86m
8:57AM1.93m
9:30PM1.97m
10:00AM2.02m
10:28PM2.08m
10:58AM2.10m
11:21PM2.17m
11:51AM2.15m
00:12AM2.22m
12:41PM2.16m
1:00AM2.22m
Low Tide
1:02PM0.55m
1:36AM0.55m
2:10PM0.51m
2:43AM0.47m
3:16PM0.45m
3:45AM0.37m
4:16PM0.37m
4:42AM0.27m
5:10PM0.30m
5:35AM0.20m
6:01PM0.25m
6:26AM0.17m
6:49PM0.24m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
heavy rain
rain showers
mod rain
mod rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
8:18
8:18
8:17
8:17
8:15
8:15
8:15
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:22
5:23
5:24
5:24
5:25
5:27
5:28
 mm
19
5
30
4
7
8
16
Temp °C
8
9
7
9
10
9
10
11
12
12
11
10
12
14
13
11
11
9
9
10
9
Feels °C
5
6
3
7
8
6
6
6
6
4
2
8
8
9
8
9
8
5
5
8
6
  • 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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