Surf Forecasts:
Smoothwater Bay surf forecast from 27 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 20ft (6.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 30 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 20ft (6.0m), 14s period, WSW swell with 15,751 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 29 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 12s 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 Saturday (Aug 29) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 1.4m and 18s. 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 6.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 30) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Sun 30th Aug) | 20ft (6.0m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Sun 30th Aug) | 20ft (6.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Smoothwater Bay over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 45mm), heaviest during Sun morning. Very mild (max 12°C on Fri morning, min 7°C on Sun night). Mainly strong winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 59mm), heaviest during Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 12°C on Wed afternoon, min 7°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Mon afternoon, calm by Wed night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 10 | N 10 | WSW 9 | WSW 20 | WSW 18 | WSW 13 | WSW 16 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | W 14 | W 12 | W 13 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1790 | 963 | 559 | 596 | 959 | 2962 | 8599 | 10487 | 15505 | 12292 | 9148 | 9115 | 7121 | 5593 | 3791 | 3597 | 4191 | 4414 | 5538 | 5337 | 4948 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross | cross |
High Tide | 11:25AM1.99m | 11:37PM2.07m | 11:58AM2.04m | 00:10AM2.11m | 12:32PM2.06m | 00:44AM2.11m | 1:06PM2.05m | 1:20AM2.09m | 1:42PM2.00m | 2:00AM2.02m | 2:23PM1.93m | 2:45AM1.93m | 3:11PM1.84m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:31PM0.38m | 5:49AM0.33m | 6:04PM0.33m | 6:22AM0.28m | 6:37PM0.30m | 6:57AM0.27m | 7:11PM0.31m | 7:34AM0.30m | 7:50PM0.35m | 8:15AM0.37m | 8:33PM0.43m | 9:01AM0.47m | 9:25PM0.52m | ||||||||
7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | |
— | 6:13 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:17 | — | — | 6:19 | — | — | 6:20 | — | |
mm | 7 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 14 | 2 | — | 5 | 4 | 3 | — | — | — | 4 | 24 | 19 | 8 | 5 | 25 |
Temp °C | 12 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
Feels °C | 9 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 3 | -1 | -2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 10 | N 10 | WSW 9 | N 8 | WSW 18 | WSW 17 | N 8 | N 8 | N 9 | — | — | WSW 24 | SW 22 | SW 20 | WSW 14 | W 14 | N 11 | W 13 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 16 |
1790 | 963 | 559 | 234 | 959 | 1534 | 19 | 12 | 7 | — | — | 55 | 118 | 306 | 3791 | 3597 | 2 | 4414 | 5538 | 5337 | 4948 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | N 9 | WSW 20 | N 8 | N 8 | — | — | — | — | — | N 12 | N 12 | N 12 | SW 18 | N 11 | — | N 11 | — | — | NW 8 |
357 | 469 | 529 | 596 | 132 | 43 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | 323 | 3 | — | 2 | — | — | 69 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 23 | WSW 22 | WSW 12 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | N 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
51 | 47 | 121 | 116 | 212 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 7 | — | W 7 | WSW 8 | WSW 13 | WSW 16 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | — | — | W 12 | — | — | — | N 5 |
— | 377 | — | 189 | 470 | 2962 | 8599 | 10487 | 15505 | 12292 | 9148 | 9115 | 7121 | 5593 | — | — | 4191 | — | — | — | 92 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 217 | 217 | 217 | 151 | 228 | 0 | 334 | 458 | 217 | 217 | 217 | 337 | 217 | 259 | 0 | 151 | 217 | 219 | 228 | 228 | 36 |
Best forecast wave conditions in West Coast South Island | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.











