The Fences surf break

The Fences surfForecast / Wanganui-Manawatu / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 pm Thursday 07 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 Monday (May 11) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 14s. Another secondary swell of 2.4m 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 3.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (May 09) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Thursday (May 14) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9AM (Mon 11th May)5.5ft (1.7m) 12s
Best Surf 9AM (Mon 11th May)5.5ft (1.7m) 12s
Most Powerful 9PM (Sat 9th May)10ft (3.0m) 12s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Warm (max 20°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WNW on Sat afternoon, strong winds from the WNW by Sun morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun afternoon, min 7°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the W on Sun afternoon, calm by Mon afternoon).

Thu
7
Friday
8
Saturday
9
Sunday
10
Monday
11
Tuesday
12
Wednesday
13
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
0
0
0
3
2
2
0
0
0
1
4
4
3
1
0
2
2
1
1
1
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)
0.2
WSW
15
0.9
WNW
8
1.1
WNW
9
1.2
WNW
9
2.5
WNW
10
3
WNW
11
3
W
11
3
W
12
3.5
W
9
4
W
9
3
W
10
1.7
WSW
12
1.6
WSW
13
1.3
W
12
1
W
9
0.9
S
14
0.9
S
14
1
S
13
0.8
S
12
0.6
S
11
0.4
SW
18
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
21
108
180
237
1306
1814
1908
2338
2060
2484
1532
920
843
513
157
324
302
314
178
85
79
Wind (km/h)
25
NNW
25
N
20
N
25
N
25
NNW
25
NW
20
WNW
30
WNW
35
WNW
40
W
20
S
10
ESE
5
SW
10
NNW
15
N
15
WNW
15
E
10
E
10
S
5
NNE
5
ENE
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
High Tide
1:31AM2.07m
1:54PM1.93m
2:22AM1.97m
2:52PM1.83m
3:24AM1.91m
4:02PM1.80m
4:34AM1.92m
5:16PM1.85m
5:42AM2.01m
6:22PM1.98m
6:42AM2.15m
7:18PM2.15m
7:36AM2.31m
Low Tide
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
12:23PM0.59m
00:44AM0.62m
1:17PM0.42m
1:37AM0.45m
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:11
7:13
7:13
7:13
7:15
7:16
7:16
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:22
5:22
5:21
5:20
5:19
5:17
5:16
5:15
6
1
1
2
Temp °C
20
18
20
20
17
16
15
14
16
15
13
10
11
9
14
13
11
13
14
11
13
16
15
16
16
11
12
11
8
8
7
8
7
8
6
9
9
8
11
12
9
10
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
WSW
15
0.9
WNW
8
1.1
WNW
9
1.2
WNW
9
0.1
SW
18
0.1
SW
19
0.4
SW
17
0.1
S
16
0.4
SW
16
0.2
S
15
3
W
10
1.7
WSW
12
1.7
S
12
1.3
W
12
1
W
9
0.9
S
14
0.9
S
14
1
S
13
0.8
S
12
0.6
S
11
0.5
S
10
Energy kJ
21
108
180
237
13
14
75
5
64
18
1532
920
843
513
157
324
302
314
178
85
54
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
W
10
0.2
WSW
14
0.2
WSW
14
0.2
WSW
14
0.1
SW
18
0.1
S
14
0.1
S
15
0.1
S
10
0.8
S
14
1.6
WSW
13
0.9
S
12
0.6
S
12
0.4
WSW
13
0.9
WSW
8
0.5
W
8
0.5
W
9
0.4
WSW
8
0.4
WSW
8
Energy kJ
8
21
20
20
13
4
4
2
239
799
235
103
65
107
36
39
24
20
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
S
14
0.1
S
14
0.1
S
14
0.1
SW
18
0.1
S
14
0.8
SSW
13
0.5
W
13
0.5
WSW
13
0.4
SW
13
0.4
SW
13
0.3
WSW
14
0.4
SW
14
0.3
WSW
14
0.4
SW
18
Energy kJ
4
4
4
12
4
236
89
92
44
44
40
50
37
79
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
NW
4
0.8
NNW
4
0.9
NNW
4
0.9
NNW
4
2.5
WNW
10
3
WNW
11
3
W
11
3
W
12
3.5
W
9
4
W
9
1.4
S
5
2.4
S
8
0.3
WNW
2
0.4
NNW
3
1.2
W
8
0.9
ESE
4
0.4
ESE
3
Energy kJ
14
16
25
30
1306
1814
1908
2338
2060
2484
96
753
1
2
195
28
3
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
2
3
3
1
1
3
1
4
4
3
2
4
2
2
3
1
1
Distance (km)
169
7
2
20
7
7
133
166
163
166
293
0
0
0
1
174
0
0
92
0
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Wanganui and the Manawatu
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
2
3
4
4
3
2
2
2
1
1
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
2
2
4
4
4
4
2
4
5
5
5
4
4
8
7
5
5
4
7
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
7
5
5
5
5
5
4
4
5
8
5
5
9
9
7
5
5
6
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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