The Fences surf break

The Fences surfForecast / Wanganui-Manawatu / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 am Thursday 22 Jan 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
19.5° C
(Which is 1.4°C warmer than normal for this time of year)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for The Fences this week:

The surf forecast for The Fences over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jan 27) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 7s 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 12 days are 3.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jan 24) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Jan 28) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Tue 27th Jan)2ft (0.6m) 10s
Best Surf10PM (Tue 27th Jan)2ft (0.6m) 10s
Most Powerful10PM (Sat 24th Jan)11ft (3.5m) 13s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Fences over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Moderate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Fri morning. Warm (max 20°C on Thu morning, min 12°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu morning, fresh winds from the WNW by Fri night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon morning, min 12°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Sun afternoon, light winds from the WSW by Tue morning).

Thursday
22
Friday
23
Saturday
24
Sunday
25
Monday
26
Tuesday
27
Wednesday
28
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.2
WSW
0.3
WSW
1.8
W
1.6
W
1.6
WNW
2.2
WNW
3
W
3.5
W
3.5
W
2.5
W
3.5
W
2.5
W
1.6
W
2
W
2.2
W
1.1
W
0.6
S
0.6
S
0.6
S
0.4
SW
1.2
WNW
Period(s) (?)22206667813121291010787101010145
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)45762322001594571148392034771709167611464744195971268071656264
Wind
(km/h)
0
S
20
W
25
WNW
25
NW
30
WNW
35
WNW
30
NW
25
W
30
NW
25
NW
30
W
25
WNW
10
WNW
25
WNW
20
NW
10
WSW
15
SW
10
E
0
W
20
W
20
NNW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
glasscross-
on
crosscrosscrosscross-
on
crosscross-
on
crosscrosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
crossononcross-
off
glasscross-
on
cross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
1:13PM
2.58
1:32AM
2.43
1:49PM
2.56
2:11AM
2.39
2:29PM
2.48
2:53AM
2.30
3:13PM
2.36
3:41AM
2.19
4:04PM
2.21
4:39AM
2.07
5:08PM
2.07
5:50AM
1.99
6:27PM
1.98
Low Tide
/ height (m)
7:27PM
0.12
7:36AM
0.18
8:02PM
0.16
8:12AM
0.25
8:40PM
0.24
8:53AM
0.36
9:23PM
0.37
9:41AM
0.51
10:17PM
0.53
10:44AM
0.66
11:30PM
0.67
12:15PM
0.76
1:06AM
0.71
Thursday
22
Friday
23
Saturday
24
Sunday
25
Monday
26
Tuesday
27
Wednesday
28
Sunrise6:16--6:18--6:18--6:20--6:20--6:22--6:24--
Sunset-8:46--8:45--8:45--8:45--8:44--8:43--8:42-
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
Rain (mm)
---323422322-1-------
Temp. °C202018191916151615181816191816181814201917
Feels °C (?)191815171512111210141310161412161612181614
  • 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 12 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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