The Fences surf break

The Fences surfForecast / Wanganui-Manawatu / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Tuesday 17 Mar 2026 NZDT
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
18.2° 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 Saturday (Mar 21) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 8s 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 1.6m 6s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Mar 19) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Monday (Mar 23) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Sat 21st Mar)4ft (1.2m) 6s
Best Surf 1AM (Sat 21st Mar)4ft (1.2m) 6s
Most Powerful 7PM (Thu 19th Mar)5ft (1.6m) 6s

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. Warm (max 21°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Tue
17
Wednesday
18
Thursday
19
Friday
20
Saturday
21
Sunday
22
Monday
23
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.4
SW
0.4
SW
0.3
WSW
0.9
W
0.7
WSW
1.3
S
1.6
S
1.1
SSE
0.5
W
1.1
S
1.2
S
0.4
WSW
0.4
WSW
0.4
WSW
0.4
WSW
0.4
WSW
0.4
WSW
0.4
SW
0.4
WSW
0.4
WSW
0.4
WSW
Period(s) (?)1514145576596613121315141413161514
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)555237402814416971367298676164877678461009277
Wind
(km/h)
10
SW
10
NNW
15
NNW
15
W
5
E
20
SE
25
S
15
ESE
15
SE
20
S
15
ESE
15
ESE
15
S
5
E
15
ESE
20
S
20
ESE
15
ESE
15
S
10
ENE
5
ENE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
oncross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
off
crosscross-
on
cross-
off
crosscross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
off
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
10:24PM
2.34
10:38AM
2.53
10:59PM
2.51
11:13AM
2.68
11:34PM
2.64
11:48AM
2.77
12:09AM
2.71
12:25PM
2.78
12:46AM
2.70
1:04PM
2.71
1:25AM
2.62
1:45PM
2.56
2:07AM
2.47
Low Tide
/ height (m)
4:34AM
0.20
4:56PM
0.05
5:09AM
0.05
5:30PM
-0.07
5:43AM
-0.04
6:04PM
-0.13
6:17AM
-0.07
6:38PM
-0.10
6:53AM
-0.02
7:13PM
0.00
7:31AM
0.11
7:50PM
0.17
8:11AM
0.29
Tue
17
Wednesday
18
Thursday
19
Friday
20
Saturday
21
Sunday
22
Monday
23
Sunrise--7:20--7:20--7:22--7:22--7:24--7:24--7:26
Sunset7:38--7:37--7:36--7:34--7:31--7:30--7:29--
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
---------------------
Temp. °C191519191520211719191618181419181518191519
Feels °C (?)181417171617181417161415151315141015151317
  • 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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