The Fences surf break

The Fences surfForecast / Wanganui-Manawatu / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 am Saturday 18 Apr 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
17.9° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)

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 Sunday (Apr 19) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 14s. Another secondary swell of 1.6m and 9s 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 5.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Apr 22) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 10s period and expected on Thursday (Apr 23) at 9AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Sun 19th Apr)5ft (1.6m) 9s
Best Surf 6PM (Sun 19th Apr)6ft (1.8m) 14s
Most Powerful 3PM (Wed 22nd Apr)16ft (5.0m) 10s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 62mm), heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat morning, min 11°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNW on Sat morning, light winds from the NW by Sun afternoon).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 27mm), heaviest during Tue night. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue morning, min 11°C on Wed afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the ENE on Tue morning, strong winds from the S by Wed afternoon).

Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
3
2
2
4
2
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
2.1
WNW
2.5
WNW
1.6
W
1.6
W
1.7
W
1.8
W
1.4
WSW
2.4
S
1.3
S
0.7
S
0.7
S
0.5
S
3.5
S
5
S
3
S
0.2
WSW
2.1
S
2.5
S
2
S
0.8
S
0.8
S
Period(s) (?)8891314151477910108109126871010
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)6038914278481162139277753716683964817844549131215323756356138127
Wind
(km/h)
25
NNW
30
NNW
15
NNW
15
NNW
5
NW
10
ENE
25
ESE
30
SSE
5
NE
5
ENE
15
SSE
20
ESE
35
S
50
S
25
SE
20
ESE
15
ESE
20
ESE
25
ESE
30
SE
30
ESE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
crossoffoffcrosscross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
10:22AM
2.74
10:45PM
2.73
11:03AM
2.74
11:26PM
2.72
11:46AM
2.65
12:09AM
2.63
12:31PM
2.49
12:55AM
2.48
1:21PM
2.29
1:48AM
2.29
2:19PM
2.07
2:52AM
2.11
3:31PM
1.90
Low Tide
/ height (m)
4:37PM
-0.10
4:56AM
-0.04
5:15PM
-0.05
5:36AM
0.01
5:55PM
0.06
6:18AM
0.14
6:37PM
0.23
7:05AM
0.33
7:24PM
0.44
8:02AM
0.53
8:23PM
0.65
9:19AM
0.71
9:50PM
0.80
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Sunrise6:52--6:52--6:54--6:54--6:56--6:56--6:58--
Sunset-5:47--5:45--5:45--5:44--5:42--5:40--5:38-
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
thunderstorm
part cloud
heavy rain
light rain
part cloud
clear
cloud
rain showers
mod rain
cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
cloud
cloud
cloud
Rain (mm)
652714-145---158--121---
Temp. °C181715171613151413171714131211121212151512
Feels °C (?)14131414168119111514116337961095
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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