Smoothwater Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 43.98° S 168.59° E

Smoothwater Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 pm 11 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Smoothwater Bay sea temperature is
12.5°C
0.6° 

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 11 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 12 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 16s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 12 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 16s period, WSW swell with 14,827 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 16s 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 (Sep 12) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 5.5m and 16s period. 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 5.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 12) at 3AM. 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 12th Sep)18ft (5.5m) 16s
Best Surf12AM (Sat 12th Sep)18ft (5.5m) 16s
Most Powerful 3AM (Sat 12th Sep)18ft (5.5m) 16s

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


Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 12°C on Sun morning, min 6°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Fri night, calm by Mon morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 33mm), heaviest during Tue night. Very mild (max 12°C on Mon afternoon, min 7°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon night, fresh winds from the N by Tue night).

Fri
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
!
!
!
!
!
9
6
9
5
2
4
3
2
0
2
3
4
3
6
7
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
4.5
WSW
16
5.5
WSW
16
5.5
WSW
16
5
WSW
16
4.5
WSW
17
4
WSW
16
4
WSW
16
3.5
WSW
15
3
WSW
14
2.5
WSW
14
2
WSW
14
1.7
WSW
14
1.6
WSW
13
1.4
WSW
12
3
WNW
10
2.5
WSW
14
3.5
WSW
13
3.5
WSW
14
4
WSW
16
4
WSW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
10745
14161
14399
13071
11033
8764
7563
5094
3484
2494
1647
1122
854
579
1727
2194
3953
4431
8170
7211
Wind (km/h)
30
WSW
35
SW
25
SW
35
WSW
15
SW
10
SW
20
WSW
15
SW
5
SSW
15
W
10
ESE
10
ENE
15
ENE
25
NNE
20
WSW
25
WSW
20
SW
20
WSW
25
W
20
SW
Wind State
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
High Tide
11:31PM2.14m
11:53AM2.07m
00:10AM2.12m
12:30PM2.04m
00:47AM2.05m
1:05PM1.98m
1:24AM1.96m
1:41PM1.90m
2:02AM1.85m
2:17PM1.81m
2:43AM1.74m
2:59PM1.70m
Low Tide
5:21PM0.19m
5:43AM0.15m
6:00PM0.18m
6:22AM0.18m
6:38PM0.22m
6:59AM0.24m
7:14PM0.29m
7:35AM0.34m
7:51PM0.40m
8:12AM0.46m
8:30PM0.52m
8:53AM0.58m
9:15PM0.64m
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
heavy rain
mod rain
part cloud
clear
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:54
6:52
6:50
6:48
6:47
6:45
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:29
6:30
6:30
6:31
6:32
6:35
6:36
 mm
1
3
2
25
6
3
2
Temp °C
11
9
10
11
10
12
12
11
11
12
11
11
12
12
11
11
9
9
10
9
Feels °C
4
1
3
3
6
8
7
7
9
9
10
9
9
9
7
5
4
3
4
3
  • 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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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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