Smoothwater Bay Surf Break

Lat Long: 43.98° S 168.59° E

Smoothwater Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 am 04 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Smoothwater Bay sea temperature is
13.0°C
1.1° 

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 4 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 5 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 20ft (6.0m), 14s period, W swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 11 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 26ft (8.0m), 19s period, WSW swell with 43,778 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 5 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 20ft (6.0m), 14s period with W 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 05) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 6.0m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Smoothwater Bay in the next 16 days are 8.0m 19s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 11) 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 5th Sep)20ft (6.0m) 14s
Best Surf12AM (Sat 5th Sep)20ft (6.0m) 14s
Most Powerful 3AM (Fri 11th Sep)26ft (8.0m) 19s

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


Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 41mm), heaviest during Sun morning. Very mild (max 11°C on Sat morning, min 9°C on Fri afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Fri morning, calm by Sat night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Wed night. Very mild (max 13°C on Tue afternoon, min 8°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon night, fresh winds from the NNW by Wed night).

Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
!
!
0
!
9
7
5
4
3
3
3
2
3
4
4
0
7
!
!
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
5
W
9
6
W
11
6
W
14
5
W
15
5
W
16
5
WSW
17
4
WSW
16
3.5
WSW
16
2.5
WSW
15
2.1
WSW
14
1.8
WSW
13
1.4
WSW
13
1.3
WSW
12
1.4
WSW
12
2.1
WSW
8
2.5
WSW
11
2.2
W
11
3.5
W
11
4
WSW
15
5.5
WSW
19
7.5
WSW
19
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
4175
8650
13013
11444
13045
13886
8764
5896
3009
1653
1186
620
436
541
514
1505
1191
2669
6962
22386
42296
Wind (km/h)
40
WSW
40
WSW
20
WSW
20
NW
20
WNW
5
SE
10
ESE
10
S
15
SSE
15
SE
10
NW
5
SW
5
SSE
10
W
10
SSW
5
SE
5
N
30
NNW
25
WSW
35
WSW
20
SSW
Wind State
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-on
cross-off
off
cross
cross-off
glassy
glassy
on
cross
cross
cross-off
High Tide
4:12PM1.75m
4:55AM1.73m
5:31PM1.69m
6:19AM1.69m
6:57PM1.71m
7:37AM1.73m
8:12PM1.80m
8:46AM1.82m
9:14PM1.93m
9:42AM1.92m
10:04PM2.04m
10:31AM2.01m
10:49PM2.11m
Low Tide
9:57AM0.57m
10:33PM0.61m
11:09AM0.66m
11:57PM0.65m
12:35PM0.68m
1:21AM0.60m
1:56PM0.61m
2:32AM0.49m
3:01PM0.49m
3:29AM0.36m
3:54PM0.36m
4:19AM0.25m
4:40PM0.25m
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
mod rain
mod rain
rain showers
mod rain
cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
light rain
heavy rain
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:07
7:05
7:05
7:03
7:01
6:58
6:56
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:21
6:22
6:22
6:23
6:25
6:27
6:28
 mm
4
4
6
7
6
5
9
1
12
Temp °C
10
9
9
11
11
11
10
11
10
12
12
11
12
13
10
10
10
11
9
9
7
Feels °C
1
0
1
6
6
8
7
9
6
9
10
10
9
10
6
7
8
7
3
0
1
  • 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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