The Fences surf break

The Fences surfForecast / Wanganui-Manawatu / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 am Tuesday 05 May 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
16.1° 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 (May 09) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 16s. 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 5.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (May 10) 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 1.2m 5s period and expected on Friday (May 08) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Sat 9th May)11ft (3.5m) 11s
Best Surf 9PM (Sat 9th May)11ft (3.5m) 11s
Most Powerful 3PM (Sun 10th May)18ft (5.5m) 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. Warm (max 21°C on Thu afternoon, min 10°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 34mm), heaviest during Fri night. Warm (max 20°C on Fri afternoon, min 8°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the N on Fri night, calm by Sat night).

Tuesday
5
Wednesday
6
Thursday
7
Friday
8
Saturday
9
Sunday
10
Monday
11
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
3
5
4
0
0
0
2
4
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>
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
WSW
16
0.3
WSW
14
0.2
WSW
14
0.2
S
17
0.2
S
15
0.2
WSW
16
0.3
WSW
15
0.2
WSW
15
0.7
WNW
8
1
WNW
8
1.1
WNW
9
1.4
WNW
10
3
WNW
11
3.5
WNW
11
4.5
W
11
3.5
W
12
5.5
W
14
6
WSW
12
5
WSW
12
3
WSW
14
1.9
W
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
47
41
19
23
18
24
47
21
61
137
176
351
1756
2393
4709
3413
12363
10203
7378
3771
1362
Wind (km/h)
10
N
10
WSW
10
NNE
10
N
10
WNW
10
N
15
N
20
NNW
25
N
20
N
20
N
40
N
25
NW
25
NW
10
NE
10
WNW
35
WNW
35
W
30
SSE
20
SSE
10
N
cross-off
cross-on
off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
11:53AM2.27m
00:12AM2.29m
12:28PM2.16m
00:49AM2.18m
1:07PM2.05m
1:31AM2.07m
1:54PM1.93m
2:22AM1.97m
2:52PM1.83m
3:24AM1.91m
4:02PM1.80m
4:34AM1.92m
5:16PM1.85m
Low Tide
5:54PM0.38m
6:16AM0.45m
6:29PM0.49m
6:54AM0.57m
7:09PM0.60m
7:39AM0.68m
7:56PM0.72m
8:37AM0.77m
8:59PM0.81m
9:53AM0.80m
10:20PM0.83m
11:15AM0.73m
11:40PM0.76m
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
thunderstorm
rain showers
clear
part cloud
heavy rain
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:09
7:09
7:11
7:11
7:13
7:13
7:13
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:25
5:24
5:22
5:22
5:21
5:20
5:19
19
2
1
12
Temp °C
14
14
14
19
20
16
20
21
18
19
20
18
16
15
13
15
14
14
10
10
8
13
12
12
17
18
15
17
18
15
16
17
13
12
11
12
11
7
8
2
4
5
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
W
5
0.5
W
5
0.3
WSW
4
0.2
WSW
13
0.2
S
15
0.2
WSW
16
0.3
WSW
15
0.2
WSW
15
0.7
WNW
8
1
WNW
8
1.1
WNW
9
1.4
WNW
10
0.1
S
13
2.5
WNW
11
3
W
12
0.5
S
9
0.5
S
10
3
WSW
14
1.9
W
14
Energy kJ
18
11
3
17
17
24
47
21
61
137
176
351
4
1628
2738
38
54
3771
1362
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
WSW
16
0.3
WSW
14
0.2
WSW
14
0.2
WSW
4
0.2
WSW
14
0.1
S
14
0.1
NW
6
0.2
W
10
0.2
WSW
15
0.2
WSW
14
0.2
WSW
14
0.1
SW
18
0.4
SW
16
1
S
12
1.1
S
11
Energy kJ
47
41
19
1
18
4
1
8
21
21
20
13
69
285
272
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
S
9
0.1
S
9
0.2
S
14
0.2
S
17
0.1
SW
16
0.1
S
9
0.1
S
14
0.1
S
14
0.1
W
20
0.1
S
14
0.1
SW
18
0.1
S
14
Energy kJ
6
2
16
23
11
1
4
4
8
4
13
4
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
NNW
3
0.6
W
5
0.3
N
3
0.4
NW
6
0.6
NNW
3
0.4
NNW
3
0.6
NNW
3
0.6
NNW
4
0.8
NNW
4
0.7
NNW
4
1.1
N
4
3
WNW
11
3.5
WNW
11
4.5
W
11
3.5
W
12
5.5
W
14
6
WSW
12
5
WSW
12
1
S
6
Energy kJ
2
15
1
8
6
4
7
10
18
16
50
1756
2393
4709
3413
12363
10203
7378
64
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
3
2
5
4
3
1
9
9
4
Distance (km)
1
104
71
71
105
71
71
169
75
7
7
307
7
169
0
7
169
194
104
75
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Wanganui and the Manawatu
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
3
5
4
4
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
4
3
1
1
4
4
5
9
4
4
2
9
9
8
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
5
4
5
5
5
6
6
5
5
6
5
7
9
4
4
4
9
9
8
  • 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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