The Fences surf break

The Fences surfForecast / Wanganui-Manawatu / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 am Tuesday 21 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
17.5° 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 Friday (Apr 24) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.8m and 5s 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 4.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Apr 21) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Saturday (Apr 25) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Fri 24th Apr)1.5ft (0.4m) 13s
Best Surf 6PM (Mon 27th Apr)6ft (1.8m) 7s
Most Powerful12PM (Tue 21st Apr)15ft (4.5m) 10s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Moderate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 12°C on Wed morning, min 9°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSE on Tue afternoon, light winds from the ENE by Thu night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun morning, min 9°C on Fri morning). Winds increasing (calm on Fri morning, fresh winds from the WNW by Sun morning).

Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
4.5
S
4.5
S
4
S
3
S
3.5
S
2.4
S
1.3
S
0.6
S
0.4
SW
0.4
SW
0.2
WSW
0.9
W
0.4
SW
0.5
WSW
1.3
W
1.3
W
2.5
W
2.5
W
2.2
W
1.8
W
1.8
W
Period(s) (?)109999868161514618168888776
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)40833370249615431660742108476555205080147193193708817510289268
Wind
(km/h)
45
SSE
45
SSE
35
SSE
35
SSE
35
SSE
15
SSE
15
SSE
10
SSE
5
NNE
5
NNE
5
WSW
10
N
15
NNW
25
WNW
25
NW
35
WNW
30
W
25
WNW
25
WNW
15
WSW
10
NW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
cross-
on
crosscrosscross-
on
crosscross-
on
crosscross-
off
glassglasscross-
off
cross-
off
crosscrosscrosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross
High Tide
/ height (m)
12:31PM
2.49
12:55AM
2.48
1:21PM
2.29
1:48AM
2.29
2:19PM
2.07
2:52AM
2.11
3:31PM
1.90
4:08AM
1.98
4:55PM
1.83
5:32AM
1.97
6:17PM
1.89
6:44AM
2.05
7:21PM
2.02
Low Tide
/ height (m)
6:37PM
0.23
7:05AM
0.33
7:24PM
0.44
8:02AM
0.53
8:23PM
0.65
9:19AM
0.71
9:50PM
0.80
11:01AM
0.76
11:33PM
0.81
12:26PM
0.68
12:49AM
0.71
1:26PM
0.55
1:44AM
0.58
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Sunrise6:54--6:56--6:56--6:58--6:58--7:00--7:01--
Sunset-5:44--5:42--5:40--5:38--5:37--5:37--5:36-
light rain
mod rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
rain showers
part cloud
Rain (mm)
38411-11-----------3-
Temp. °C101011121110121211121311151514161616171615
Feels °C (?)11443479911119111110101212131415
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Quick surf report for The Fences:

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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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