The Fences surf break

The Fences surfForecast / Wanganui-Manawatu / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 pm Thursday 30 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
16.4° 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 Friday (May 01) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m 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 0.8m 14s and forecast to arrive on Friday (May 01) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Friday (May 01) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Fri 1st May)2.5ft (0.7m) 16s
Best Surf 3AM (Fri 1st May)2.5ft (0.7m) 16s
Most Powerful 9AM (Fri 1st May)2.5ft (0.8m) 14s

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 14°C on Thu afternoon, min 7°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed morning, min 10°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Thu
30
Friday
1
Saturday
2
Sunday
3
Monday
4
Tuesday
5
Wednesday
6
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
2
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
S
7
0.7
WSW
16
0.8
WSW
14
0.7
WSW
14
0.7
WSW
14
0.7
WSW
13
0.5
WSW
14
0.5
WSW
15
0.5
WSW
14
0.4
WSW
14
0.4
WSW
13
0.4
WSW
13
0.4
WSW
13
0.4
SW
13
0.3
WSW
13
0.3
WSW
14
0.7
WSW
5
0.2
WSW
13
0.2
WSW
13
0.1
SW
16
0.2
WSW
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
131
223
233
175
161
158
104
126
120
78
69
68
66
44
32
41
24
17
17
10
22
Wind (km/h)
15
SE
15
E
5
ENE
5
SSW
10
N
10
NNW
15
WNW
5
NNE
5
NNE
10
SW
10
N
10
N
15
W
10
N
10
N
10
W
10
N
10
N
10
WNW
15
N
15
NNW
cross
cross-off
off
on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
9:27PM2.38m
9:40AM2.41m
10:01PM2.44m
10:14AM2.42m
10:33PM2.46m
10:47AM2.41m
11:05PM2.44m
11:20AM2.35m
11:38PM2.38m
11:53AM2.27m
00:12AM2.29m
12:28PM2.16m
00:49AM2.18m
Low Tide
3:36AM0.29m
3:51PM0.21m
4:07AM0.25m
4:20PM0.20m
4:38AM0.25m
4:50PM0.23m
5:09AM0.29m
5:22PM0.29m
5:42AM0.36m
5:54PM0.38m
6:16AM0.45m
6:29PM0.49m
6:54AM0.57m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:05
7:05
7:07
7:07
7:09
7:09
7:11
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:31
5:30
5:29
5:28
5:27
5:25
5:24
5:22
Temp °C
14
10
12
13
11
14
14
12
14
14
12
14
15
12
14
15
12
17
19
18
19
10
5
11
11
9
12
12
11
13
13
11
12
13
11
13
14
11
15
17
16
16
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SW
17
0.7
S
10
0.8
WSW
14
0.7
WSW
14
0.7
WSW
14
0.7
WSW
13
0.5
WSW
14
0.8
W
6
0.5
WSW
14
0.4
WSW
14
0.4
WSW
13
0.7
W
5
0.4
WSW
13
0.7
W
5
0.6
W
5
0.3
WSW
14
0.7
WSW
5
0.5
W
4
0.3
W
4
0.1
SW
13
0.2
WSW
15
Energy kJ
74
89
233
175
161
158
104
41
120
78
69
23
66
21
17
41
24
10
3
6
22
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
WSW
7
0.7
WSW
16
0.4
S
8
0.4
S
14
0.3
S
11
0.3
S
10
0.2
S
10
0.5
WSW
15
0.4
WSW
5
0.2
W
5
0.2
S
11
0.4
WSW
13
0.2
S
10
0.4
SW
13
0.3
WSW
13
0.1
S
8
0.2
WSW
14
0.2
WSW
13
0.2
WSW
13
0.1
SW
16
0.1
S
9
Energy kJ
9
223
21
61
20
17
7
126
9
2
10
68
8
44
32
1
19
17
17
10
1
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
WSW
12
0.3
S
15
0.3
S
14
0.2
E
3
0.1
S
14
0.1
S
16
0.2
WSW
17
0.2
S
9
0.2
S
8
0.1
S
7
0.2
S
11
0.2
S
10
0.2
S
10
0.2
S
9
0.2
S
8
0.1
S
15
0.1
S
13
0.1
S
10
0.1
S
9
0.1
S
14
Energy kJ
14
39
36
1
4
5
29
6
5
1
10
8
7
6
5
4
4
2
2
4
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
S
7
0.9
ESE
4
0.4
ESE
3
0.6
NW
3
1
W
5
0.4
NW
3
0.4
NNW
3
0.7
W
4
0.7
WNW
4
0.3
NNW
3
0.7
W
5
0.3
NNW
3
0.4
WNW
4
0.5
NW
5
0.7
NNW
3
Energy kJ
131
25
5
7
53
2
3
19
20
1
21
2
5
14
10
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Distance (km)
104
20
0
20
0
0
7
0
0
84
1
1
164
1
20
84
20
71
105
71
71
Best forecast wave conditions in Wanganui and the Manawatu
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
5
4
4
4
5
9
4
4
3
4
3
3
3
4
2
3
3
2
1
1
3
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
6
7
6
9
5
4
4
4
4
4
5
4
4
4
4
9
9
9
9
  • 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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