The Fences surf break

The Fences surfForecast / Wanganui-Manawatu / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 am Thursday 23 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
17.3° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)

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 Thursday (Apr 23) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 18s. 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 8s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Apr 27) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Apr 30) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3PM (Thu 23rd Apr)3.5ft (1.1m) 8s
Best Surf 6AM (Tue 28th Apr)6ft (1.9m) 8s
Most Powerful12AM (Mon 27th Apr)10ft (3.0m) 8s

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. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 8°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun morning, min 10°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Mon afternoon, calm by Tue morning).

Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
1
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)
1.9
S
7
1.1
S
8
0.4
SW
16
0.4
SW
15
0.2
WSW
14
0.3
WSW
13
0.3
WSW
18
0.5
WSW
16
0.6
WSW
14
0.4
WSW
13
1.4
WNW
5
3
W
8
2.4
W
7
2.1
W
7
2.4
W
8
1.7
WSW
8
1.3
WSW
8
1
W
8
1.7
W
6
2.3
W
7
2.2
W
7
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
351
152
65
55
20
32
61
146
140
68
113
869
636
388
781
422
235
134
207
554
427
Wind (km/h)
15
SE
10
E
10
E
5
ENE
5
S
5
NNE
5
N
15
WNW
15
N
15
NNW
20
WNW
25
WNW
30
WNW
30
WNW
20
W
0
E
15
WNW
25
NNW
25
NNW
30
WNW
25
NW
cross
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
High Tide
2:19PM2.07m
2:52AM2.11m
3:31PM1.90m
4:08AM1.98m
4:55PM1.83m
5:32AM1.97m
6:17PM1.89m
6:44AM2.05m
7:21PM2.02m
7:40AM2.16m
8:10PM2.16m
8:26AM2.27m
8:51PM2.28m
Low Tide
8:23PM0.65m
9:19AM0.71m
9:50PM0.80m
11:01AM0.76m
11:33PM0.81m
12:26PM0.68m
00:49AM0.71m
1:26PM0.55m
1:44AM0.58m
2:11PM0.42m
2:27AM0.45m
2:48PM0.32m
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:56
6:58
6:58
7:00
7:01
7:01
7:03
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:40
5:38
5:37
5:37
5:36
5:34
5:32
Temp °C
11
10
10
12
12
10
15
16
13
17
16
15
17
16
15
16
16
13
15
15
16
7
7
7
10
10
9
13
13
11
14
13
11
12
11
10
15
13
9
10
10
12
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
WSW
12
1.1
S
8
0.4
S
5
0.4
S
8
0.3
S
8
0.3
WSW
13
0.3
W
5
0.5
WSW
16
0.8
W
7
0.4
WSW
13
0.4
WSW
13
0.3
SW
12
0.3
S
16
0.6
WSW
15
0.4
WSW
14
1.7
WSW
8
1.3
WSW
8
1
W
8
0.3
S
10
0.4
WSW
12
0.3
WSW
18
Energy kJ
15
152
7
19
11
32
4
146
57
68
66
24
43
144
73
422
235
134
16
60
64
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
W
19
0.2
WSW
18
0.4
S
8
0.4
SW
15
0.2
WSW
12
0.3
S
8
0.3
S
8
0.3
S
9
0.6
WSW
14
0.2
S
9
0.2
S
9
0.1
S
12
0.3
SSW
15
0.2
S
10
0.2
S
10
0.4
WSW
13
0.4
SW
12
0.6
S
10
0.3
WSW
12
0.3
WSW
20
0.2
S
9
Energy kJ
7
30
20
55
14
11
10
14
140
6
6
3
47
9
7
67
39
72
27
75
6
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
W
7
0.2
WSW
12
0.4
SW
16
0.2
WSW
12
0.2
WSW
14
0.1
S
13
0.3
WSW
18
0.2
S
14
0.3
S
10
0.1
S
13
0.1
S
12
0.2
S
15
0.3
S
10
0.3
S
11
0.3
S
10
0.3
WSW
12
0.3
WSW
14
0.3
S
9
0.2
S
9
Energy kJ
1
15
65
14
20
3
61
15
16
3
3
17
16
21
18
29
40
16
7
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.9
S
7
0.3
ESE
2
0.4
WNW
3
0.5
N
3
0.9
WNW
4
1.4
WNW
5
3
W
8
2.4
W
7
2.1
W
7
2.4
W
8
0.2
SSW
4
1.7
W
6
2.3
W
7
2.2
W
7
Energy kJ
351
1
3
6
28
113
869
636
388
781
2
207
554
427
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
1
1
3
2
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
2
1
2
1
1
1
2
1
Distance (km)
20
0
1
1
104
71
1
7
0
0
169
164
163
165
113
0
7
7
7
176
176
Best forecast wave conditions in Wanganui and the Manawatu
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
3
3
4
6
5
4
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
1
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
9
5
5
4
5
5
4
5
4
4
6
7
9
5
5
6
6
8
8
5
5
  • 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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