The Fences surf break

The Fences surfForecast / Wanganui-Manawatu / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 am Wednesday 29 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 0.6m 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 15s and forecast to arrive on Friday (May 01) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore 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 (Apr 30) at 9AM.

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 6AM (Fri 1st May)2.5ft (0.8m) 15s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed morning, min 7°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 10°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Friday
1
Saturday
2
Sunday
3
Monday
4
Tuesday
5
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
1
2
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
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>
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
WNW
6
1.4
W
6
1.5
W
6
0.4
SW
18
0.4
SW
17
0.7
WSW
16
0.8
WSW
14
0.7
WSW
14
0.7
WSW
14
0.7
WSW
13
0.5
WSW
13
0.5
WSW
15
0.4
WSW
14
0.4
WSW
14
0.5
WSW
13
0.4
WSW
13
0.4
SW
13
0.4
SW
13
0.2
WSW
15
0.2
WSW
14
0.2
WSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
98
130
165
78
74
220
233
175
161
158
102
125
81
78
101
68
43
44
23
20
19
Wind (km/h)
20
NNW
25
NW
20
NW
20
ESE
25
SE
15
ESE
5
E
5
S
10
N
10
N
15
WNW
10
NNE
5
NE
5
SSW
5
N
10
N
5
SSW
10
NNE
10
N
5
NNW
10
NNE
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
8:51PM2.28m
9:05AM2.35m
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
Low Tide
2:48PM0.32m
3:03AM0.36m
3:20PM0.25m
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
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:03
7:03
7:05
7:05
7:07
7:07
7:09
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:32
5:31
5:30
5:29
5:28
5:27
5:25
1
Temp °C
18
17
14
13
15
10
11
13
11
14
14
12
13
14
12
15
16
14
17
19
16
14
13
11
7
10
5
9
11
9
12
12
11
12
13
11
14
15
13
15
18
15
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
WSW
12
0.3
WSW
20
0.3
WSW
18
0.6
W
6
0.4
SW
17
0.7
WSW
16
0.8
WSW
14
0.7
WSW
14
0.7
WSW
14
0.7
WSW
13
0.5
WSW
13
0.9
W
6
0.5
W
5
0.4
WSW
14
0.5
WSW
13
0.4
WSW
13
0.4
SW
13
0.4
SW
13
0.2
WSW
12
0.2
WSW
14
0.2
WNW
4
Energy kJ
27
75
64
28
74
220
233
175
161
158
102
53
14
78
101
68
43
44
14
20
1
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
WSW
21
0.2
WSW
11
0.2
WSW
13
0.4
SW
18
0.3
WSW
7
0.5
S
9
0.4
S
8
0.4
S
12
0.4
S
11
0.3
S
10
0.3
S
10
0.5
WSW
15
0.4
WSW
14
0.3
W
5
0.1
S
11
0.2
S
11
0.2
S
10
0.2
W
3
0.2
WSW
15
0.1
NW
6
0.2
WSW
14
Energy kJ
42
13
17
78
10
43
21
41
35
17
16
125
81
4
3
9
8
1
23
1
19
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
S
8
0.2
S
8
0.2
WSW
11
0.2
WSW
13
0.2
WSW
12
0.5
S
5
0.3
S
14
0.2
S
14
0.1
S
15
0.1
S
16
0.2
WSW
17
0.2
S
9
0.2
S
8
0.1
S
8
0.1
S
7
0.2
S
10
0.2
S
9
0.2
S
8
0.1
S
8
0.1
NW
6
Energy kJ
5
5
12
16
14
11
35
15
4
5
27
6
5
1
1
8
6
6
1
2
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
WNW
6
1.4
W
6
1.5
W
6
1.6
SSE
6
1.4
SSE
7
1
ESE
4
0.5
ESE
4
0.2
ESE
3
0.4
NW
3
0.9
WNW
4
0.9
WNW
6
0.2
NNW
3
0.2
WNW
3
0.3
NW
3
0.3
W
4
Energy kJ
98
130
165
198
163
34
7
1
2
26
55
1
1
1
2
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
Distance (km)
7
169
7
75
104
20
0
41
0
0
7
0
0
20
0
1
71
20
20
71
71
Best forecast wave conditions in Wanganui and the Manawatu
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
8
6
5
4
4
4
5
4
4
4
3
4
3
3
2
2
2
1
2
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
9
8
8
6
5
6
6
7
5
4
5
4
4
4
4
4
7
5
4
4
4
  • 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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