
Surf Forecasts:
Smoothwater Bay surf forecast from 13 Nov 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 19 Nov, 1AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 18 Nov, 10PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, WSW swell with 4,519 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 13 Nov, 10PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 13s 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 (Nov 13) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 12s. 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 3.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Nov 18) at 10PM. 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 6s period and expected on Monday (Nov 16) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Fri 13th Nov) | 6ft (1.9m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Thu 19th Nov) | 11ft (3.5m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Wed 18th Nov) | 11ft (3.5m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Smoothwater Bay over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 92mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun night, min 10°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the S on Fri night, fresh winds from the NE by Sun afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 14°C on Mon morning, min 8°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, strong winds from the WSW by Wed morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 13 | Saturday 14 | Sunday 15 | Monday 16 | Tuesday 17 | Wednesday 18 | Thursday 19 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WNW 8 | NW 9 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1575 | 1504 | 1152 | 774 | 595 | 451 | 211 | 458 | 798 | 1332 | 2589 | 2550 | 1734 | 1708 | 1834 | 2588 | 3489 | 4258 | 2891 | 2211 | 1752 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | off | on | on | cross | cross | cross | on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | on | cross | cross | cross-off | on | on | off |
High Tide | 2:23PM1.86m | 2:51AM1.80m | 3:04PM1.79m | 3:36AM1.72m | 3:50PM1.72m | 4:26AM1.65m | 4:44PM1.66m | 5:22AM1.60m | 5:44PM1.63m | 6:23AM1.59m | 6:47PM1.63m | 7:23AM1.61m | 7:47PM1.68m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:37PM0.57m | 8:59AM0.61m | 9:20PM0.63m | 9:43AM0.66m | 10:11PM0.67m | 10:33AM0.70m | 11:08PM0.69m | 11:31AM0.71m | 00:09AM0.69m | 12:33PM0.70m | 1:09AM0.64m | 1:35PM0.66m | 2:06AM0.57m | ||||||||
6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | |
— | 8:46 | — | — | 8:47 | — | — | 8:50 | — | — | 8:51 | — | — | 8:52 | — | — | 8:53 | — | — | 8:54 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 15 | 37 | 38 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 13 |
Feels °C | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 14 | 13 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 11 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WNW 8 | NW 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | NNW 8 | NNW 9 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 |
1575 | 1504 | 1152 | 774 | 595 | 451 | 211 | 458 | 798 | 481 | 264 | 119 | 1734 | 1708 | 1834 | 2588 | 26 | 7 | 2891 | 2211 | 1752 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 11 | N 7 | N 12 | N 15 | N 10 | SW 19 | WNW 6 | WSW 11 | WSW 11 | WSW 15 | N 12 | N 12 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | N 11 | N 11 | NNW 8 | NNW 13 | N 10 |
23 | 4 | 11 | 17 | 2 | 55 | 63 | 160 | 404 | 1332 | 3 | 3 | 107 | 96 | 76 | 45 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 68 | 56 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 16 | N 11 | N 7 | N 6 | SW 20 | N 11 | SW 17 | WSW 16 | SW 15 | N 12 | N 16 | N 16 | — | N 11 | N 12 | N 11 | N 13 | NNW 9 | N 10 | NNW 8 | N 12 |
5 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 2 | 107 | 177 | 344 | 3 | 5 | 5 | — | 10 | 11 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 6 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | NE 6 | NE 4 | NNE 6 | — | — | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | — | — | — | — | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 1 | 29 | 131 | — | — | 2589 | 2550 | — | — | — | — | 3489 | 4258 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 259 | 266 | 0 | 217 | 260 | 36 | 151 | 151 | 228 | 36 | 286 | 0 | 259 | 259 | 36 | 228 | 228 | 0 | 36 | 266 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in West Coast South Island | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










