Smoothwater Bay surfForecast / West Coast South Island / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 pm Sunday 12 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
16.6° C
(Which is 1.7°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 (Apr 13) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 9s. 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 13s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Apr 17) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Monday (Apr 20) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Mon 13th Apr)4ft (1.2m) 11s
Best Surf 6PM (Fri 17th Apr)13ft (4.0m) 13s
Most Powerful 3PM (Fri 17th Apr)15ft (4.5m) 13s

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 77mm), heaviest during Mon morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun afternoon, min 9°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 97mm), heaviest during Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu night, min 10°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NW on Fri morning, calm by Sat morning).

Sun
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
4
3
3
0
2
4
5
5
4
2
3
0
3
2
4
0
5
5
5
5
4
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
2
NW
1.5
WSW
1.8
WSW
3.5
W
2.5
W
2.2
WSW
3.5
W
3.5
W
2.5
W
2.1
W
3
W
3.5
W
3.5
W
3.5
W
4
W
4.5
W
3
WSW
3
W
3
W
3
W
2.5
WSW
Period(s) (?)10111615131212111110911111214131312121313
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)712503165249022157131629663124152083214222701313033656851716128662567255929431931
Wind
(km/h)
10
ESE
5
SSW
20
NE
20
NW
15
WSW
5
N
5
W
10
SSE
5
SSE
10
NW
20
WSW
30
W
20
WSW
20
WNW
20
NNW
25
WNW
5
E
0
WSW
0
ESE
15
SE
20
SSE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
off
crossoncrossglassglassoffoffoncross-
off
cross-
on
crosscross-
on
oncross-
on
cross-
off
glassglassoffoff
High Tide
/ height (m)
7:38PM
1.60
8:03AM
1.68
8:31PM
1.70
8:50AM
1.80
9:17PM
1.83
9:32AM
1.94
9:59PM
1.95
10:12AM
2.05
10:38PM
2.05
10:53AM
2.14
11:18PM
2.12
11:35AM
2.19
11:59PM
2.15
Low Tide
/ height (m)
1:52AM
0.64
2:19PM
0.54
2:42AM
0.52
3:05PM
0.40
3:25AM
0.40
3:46PM
0.28
4:05AM
0.29
4:26PM
0.19
4:44AM
0.20
5:06PM
0.13
5:25AM
0.16
5:48PM
0.14
6:07AM
0.16
Sun
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunrise--7:16--7:16--7:18--7:18--7:20--7:22--7:22
Sunset6:16--6:15--6:13--6:12--6:09--6:07--6:07--
light rain
part cloud
heavy rain
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
heavy rain
mod rain
clear
part cloud
heavy rain
rain showers
mod rain
rain showers
rain showers
heavy rain
heavy rain
light rain
mod rain
mod rain
mod rain
cloud
Rain (mm)
5-171616176--115610918254976-
Temp. °C151513141211121112121112131414141312111112
Feels °C (?)141491091010711107689101012121097
  • 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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Quick surf report for Smoothwater Bay:

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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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