The Fences surf break

The Fences surfForecast / Wanganui-Manawatu / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 am Wednesday 13 May 2026 NZST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
The Fences surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's The Fences sea temperature is
16.2° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for The Fences this week:

The surf forecast for The Fences over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (May 13) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at The Fences in the next 16 days are 0.7m 18s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (May 14) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Sunday (May 17) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Wed 13th May)2ft (0.6m) 14s
Best Surf 9PM (Wed 13th May)2.5ft (0.8m) 12s
Most Powerful 6AM (Thu 14th May)2.5ft (0.7m) 18s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Fences over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Wed morning, min 7°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun afternoon, min 7°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
13
Thursday
14
Friday
15
Saturday
16
Sunday
17
Monday
18
Tuesday
19
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
2
2
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
1
1
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
S
14
0.8
S
13
0.8
S
13
0.6
WSW
17
0.4
WSW
16
0.5
WSW
15
0.4
WSW
14
0.4
WSW
14
0.4
S
13
0.4
SW
13
0.3
WSW
21
0.4
WSW
18
0.5
WSW
17
0.4
WSW
16
0.5
WSW
15
0.4
WSW
14
0.4
WSW
14
0.3
WSW
18
0.5
WSW
16
0.5
WSW
15
0.5
WSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
144
212
209
200
99
130
81
75
55
46
85
127
168
100
131
80
73
61
142
133
118
Wind (km/h)
15
ESE
15
SSE
5
ESE
5
E
10
S
10
E
5
ESE
10
SSE
15
ESE
15
ESE
15
SSE
15
ESE
10
ESE
20
SE
15
E
10
ESE
15
SSE
5
ENE
5
N
10
W
10
N
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
glassy
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
7:18PM2.15m
7:36AM2.31m
8:08PM2.33m
8:26AM2.46m
8:54PM2.50m
9:13AM2.58m
9:39PM2.62m
10:00AM2.64m
10:25PM2.68m
10:47AM2.63m
11:11PM2.68m
11:35AM2.56m
11:59PM2.62m
Low Tide
1:17PM0.42m
1:37AM0.45m
2:05PM0.25m
2:25AM0.29m
2:50PM0.12m
3:11AM0.15m
3:33PM0.03m
3:55AM0.06m
4:16PM0.01m
4:40AM0.03m
4:59PM0.04m
5:26AM0.07m
5:44PM0.13m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:16
7:16
7:18
7:18
7:20
7:20
7:22
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:16
5:15
5:15
5:15
5:14
5:13
5:12
Temp °C
13
13
12
12
13
12
10
11
10
10
11
10
12
14
10
12
14
12
13
13
11
10
9
10
10
11
11
7
9
7
6
7
6
8
9
6
9
11
9
11
11
9
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
WSW
9
0.8
S
13
0.8
S
13
0.6
S
11
0.5
S
11
0.6
S
5
0.4
S
9
0.4
WSW
14
0.4
S
13
0.4
S
12
0.4
S
11
0.4
WSW
18
0.5
WSW
17
0.4
WSW
16
0.5
S
5
0.4
WSW
14
0.4
WSW
14
0.4
SW
13
0.5
WSW
16
0.5
WSW
15
0.5
WSW
14
Energy kJ
77
212
209
92
55
15
24
75
55
41
37
127
168
100
11
80
73
44
142
133
118
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
S
14
0.6
WSW
9
0.5
WSW
14
0.6
WSW
17
0.4
WSW
16
0.5
WSW
15
0.4
WSW
14
0.4
S
14
0.4
SW
13
0.4
SW
13
0.4
SW
13
0.4
SW
13
0.3
S
10
0.3
S
10
0.5
WSW
15
0.3
S
9
0.2
S
9
0.3
WSW
18
0.2
S
8
0.2
S
9
0.1
S
9
Energy kJ
144
64
110
200
99
130
81
66
44
40
40
43
18
17
131
14
6
61
5
6
1
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
S
5
0.3
WSW
21
0.4
WSW
19
0.3
WSW
8
0.3
WSW
8
0.5
S
9
0.3
S
16
0.4
S
8
0.4
SW
13
0.2
WSW
22
0.3
WSW
21
0.3
S
10
0.3
WSW
12
0.3
WSW
12
0.3
S
10
0.2
S
4
0.1
SW
19
0.3
SE
3
0.1
S
8
Energy kJ
15
90
145
14
14
41
47
23
44
46
85
18
28
28
16
1
15
1
1
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
ESE
3
0.6
S
5
0.9
S
5
0.9
S
6
0.7
S
5
0.5
S
4
0.5
S
4
1
SE
4
0.8
SE
4
0.8
SSE
4
0.9
SE
4
0.7
SE
4
0.8
SSE
4
0.7
ESE
4
0.5
ESE
3
0.4
SE
3
0.2
SSW
8
0.5
W
3
1
W
6
Energy kJ
6
19
37
48
21
10
9
31
21
18
24
15
16
15
6
3
6
5
60
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
2
2
3
1
1
3
1
1
2
1
1
3
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
Distance (km)
0
20
0
0
104
0
0
104
20
1
104
20
0
104
0
1
104
0
0
7
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Wanganui and the Manawatu
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
9
9
7
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
9
9
8
9
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
6
4
4
5
4
4
6
5
5
5
  • 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 The Fences Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for The Fences provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at The Fences can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our The Fences 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 (The Fences) 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 The Fences 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 Wanganui and the Manawatu? If you are looking for accommodation near TheFences, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Wanganui and the Manawatu, consider staying in Wanganui which is 32 km (20 miles) away. Other places in and around Wanganui and the Manawatu where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Palmerston North which is 96 km (60 miles) away and Levin, 99 km (61 miles) away.

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