The Fences surf break

The Fences surfForecast / Wanganui-Manawatu / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Friday 12 Dec 2025 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
19.6° C
(Which is 3.3°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 Saturday (Dec 13) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 6s 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 1.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Dec 17) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Dec 16) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Sat 13th Dec)1.5ft (0.4m) 13s
Best Surf 7PM (Thu 18th Dec)3.5ft (1.0m) 12s
Most Powerful 4PM (Wed 17th Dec)5ft (1.5m) 15s

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

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sun morning, min 11°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Fri afternoon, calm by Sun morning).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Moderate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Tue night. Warm (max 24°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Fri
12
Saturday
13
Sunday
14
Monday
15
Tuesday
16
Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
2
1
0
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.7
S
1.2
S
0.4
WSW
0.8
WSW
0.6
WSW
0.5
WSW
0.5
WSW
0.4
WSW
0.3
WSW
0.7
WNW
0.7
NW
0.4
WSW
0.9
NW
1.1
WSW
1.3
WSW
1.5
W
1.4
WSW
1.1
WSW
1
WSW
0.8
WSW
0.6
W
Period(s) (?)6613121212111111461371616151413131212
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)219116641641097773482421425575659806103275245135618698
Wind
(km/h)
25
S
20
ESE
20
SE
20
S
15
E
5
NW
15
WSW
10
N
10
NW
20
W
15
N
25
N
25
NNW
20
WNW
20
WNW
20
W
20
ESE
20
ESE
15
SSE
10
N
5
NNE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
cross-
off
crosscross-
on
cross-
off
glasscross-
on
cross-
off
crosscross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
off
glass
High Tide
/ height (m)
4:37PM
2.03
5:14AM
1.87
5:39PM
1.94
6:20AM
1.85
6:43PM
1.91
7:23AM
1.89
7:44PM
1.93
8:20AM
1.96
8:38PM
1.99
9:08AM
2.06
9:25PM
2.06
9:51AM
2.16
10:08PM
2.15
10:30AM
2.25
Low Tide
/ height (m)
11:06PM
0.70
11:28AM
0.80
12:14AM
0.73
12:41PM
0.82
1:17AM
0.72
1:45PM
0.79
2:11AM
0.67
2:37PM
0.71
2:57AM
0.60
3:22PM
0.62
3:39AM
0.52
4:03PM
0.53
4:18AM
0.45
Fri
12
Saturday
13
Sunday
14
Monday
15
Tuesday
16
Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Sunrise--5:46--5:46--5:46--5:47--5:47--5:47--5:47
Sunset8:42--8:43--8:44--8:45--8:45--8:45--8:46--
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
heavy rain
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
Rain (mm)
-------------15--31532
Temp. °C181618181621191720221823242018181417161419
Feels °C (?)131114141418161719191618201614141014141318
  • 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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