Surf Forecasts:
The Fences surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 31 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 9s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 9s period, W swell with 2,606 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 7s period with W 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 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at The Fences in the next 16 days are 4.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 31) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Friday (Aug 28) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Mon 31st Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Mon 31st Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Fences over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu morning, min 10°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Tue morning, calm by Wed night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri morning, min 10°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Thu night, fresh winds from the N by Fri morning). | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | ||||||||||||||
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 8 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 6 | W 7 | W 7 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 11 | WNW 9 | W 9 | W 7 | W 7 | W 8 | W 8 | W 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
766 | 521 | 413 | 474 | 302 | 217 | 262 | 123 | 150 | 225 | 1024 | 1146 | 315 | 506 | 512 | 442 | 371 | 624 | 1593 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 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 | 11:13AM2.55m | 11:27PM2.67m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 5:08AM0.01m | 5:19PM0.05m | |||||||
— | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:55 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | 6 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
Feels °C | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 11 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | W 7 | W 9 | W 9 | S 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 9 | S 11 | S 11 | SW 19 | W 8 | WSW 17 | S 9 |
706 | 417 | 246 | 134 | 180 | 178 | 118 | 123 | 150 | 225 | 47 | 1146 | 315 | 21 | 21 | 94 | 371 | 188 | 2 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 16 | S 15 | S 17 | S 5 | S 7 | S 14 | SSW 12 | S 12 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 21 | S 10 | WSW 18 | S 6 | — |
52 | 20 | 17 | 6 | 20 | 17 | 53 | 21 | 23 | 91 | 51 | 25 | 34 | 17 | 43 | 18 | 123 | 3 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 15 | S 15 | S 15 | S 8 | S 9 | W 18 | S 17 | S 17 | WSW 16 | — | — | S 12 | WSW 21 | S 15 | SW 12 | S 10 | S 9 | — |
— | 4 | 18 | 18 | 6 | 1 | 6 | 95 | 142 | 49 | — | — | 24 | 45 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 2 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 6 | W 7 | — | — | — | WNW 10 | N 5 | N 5 | W 9 | W 7 | W 7 | — | W 8 | W 9 |
766 | 521 | 413 | 474 | 302 | 217 | 262 | — | — | — | 1024 | 52 | 56 | 506 | 512 | 442 | — | 624 | 1593 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 176 | 176 | 176 | 7 | 7 | 172 | 208 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 169 | 169 | 7 | 169 | 133 | 105 | 163 | 172 | 154 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Wanganui and the Manawatu | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
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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.











