Surf Forecasts:
The Fences surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 13s period, W swell with 4,485 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 13s period with WSW swell.
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 Thursday (Aug 27) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 16s. Another secondary swell of 1.1m and 6s is also forecast. 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 3.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 30) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Sun 30th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Fences over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed morning, min 10°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu morning, min 12°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | ||||||||||||||
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) | W 10 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 15 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | S 18 | S 17 | W 9 | W 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
3017 | 4279 | 1187 | 706 | 507 | 510 | 475 | 279 | 178 | 156 | 97 | 147 | 306 | 867 | 1163 | 542 | 1087 | 603 | 257 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 7:22AM1.77m | 7:55PM1.91m | 8:19AM1.92m | 8:41PM2.09m | 9:01AM2.09m | 9:18PM2.26m | 9:36AM2.25m | 9:51PM2.42m | 10:09AM2.39m | 10:23PM2.55m | 10:40AM2.49m | 10:54PM2.63m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:20AM0.91m | 1:44PM0.82m | 2:16AM0.74m | 2:32PM0.64m | 2:57AM0.54m | 3:10PM0.46m | 3:33AM0.36m | 3:44PM0.30m | 4:06AM0.20m | 4:16PM0.17m | 4:37AM0.08m | 4:48PM0.08m | |||||||
— | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
Temp °C | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 11 |
Feels °C | 4 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | W 6 | S 17 | W 9 | W 10 | S 12 | WSW 13 | S 11 | W 8 | W 9 |
2 | 5 | 1187 | 706 | 417 | 246 | 134 | 180 | 178 | 156 | 60 | 147 | 306 | 867 | 26 | 98 | 38 | 603 | 257 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 15 | S 12 | S 12 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 15 | WSW 10 | S 16 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | S 14 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SW 22 | S 11 | SSE 6 |
— | 4 | 113 | 47 | 18 | 17 | 6 | 19 | 19 | 46 | 65 | 60 | 100 | 48 | 26 | 25 | 19 | 38 | 72 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 9 | — | — | — | S 15 | S 15 | S 9 | S 15 | W 18 | S 18 | WSW 17 | WSW 16 | — | — | W 11 | — | WSW 21 | WSW 19 |
— | 2 | — | — | — | 18 | 18 | 6 | 17 | 6 | 97 | 30 | 25 | — | — | 9 | — | 88 | 148 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | WSW 15 | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | NNW 3 | W 6 | NNE 2 | N 4 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | W 8 | SSE 4 | — |
3017 | 4279 | 599 | 618 | 507 | 510 | 475 | 279 | 144 | 74 | 3 | 59 | 1 | 28 | 1163 | 542 | 1087 | 34 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 196 | 164 | 176 | 176 | 176 | 196 | 164 | 7 | 172 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 113 | 163 | 176 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Wanganui and the Manawatu | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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Live 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.











