The Fences surf break

The Fences surfForecast / Wanganui-Manawatu / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 12 pm Saturday 24 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
19.3° C
(Which is 1.1°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 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 9s 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 4.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jan 24) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Jan 28) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Tue 27th Jan)5ft (1.5m) 7s
Best Surf 4AM (Tue 27th Jan)5ft (1.5m) 7s
Most Powerful 7PM (Sat 24th Jan)13ft (4.0m) 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 Heavy rain (total 28mm), heaviest during Sat morning. Warm (max 20°C on Mon morning, min 13°C on Sat morning). Winds increasing (calm on Sat morning, fresh winds from the WNW by Sun afternoon).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Wed morning, min 14°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
24
Sunday
25
Monday
26
Tuesday
27
Wednesday
28
Thursday
29
Friday
30
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
1
0
0
1
2
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
3
W
3.5
W
3.5
W
2.5
W
4
W
3
W
1.8
W
1.6
W
1.6
W
1.1
W
0.9
W
1.2
SSE
0.6
S
0.4
SW
0.5
S
1.1
W
1.5
W
1.4
W
0.8
W
0.3
WSW
0.8
SSW
Period(s) (?)10131212991097886101496676155
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)218047083720190927201465587416269153958765523880143171474237
Wind
(km/h)
30
SW
30
WNW
30
NW
30
WNW
40
WNW
25
WNW
15
NW
20
W
15
NW
10
WNW
15
SW
20
ESE
10
E
10
SW
10
NW
20
NW
25
WNW
20
NW
5
ESE
20
S
5
SSE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
oncross-
on
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
crosscrosscross-
on
crosscross-
on
oncross-
off
cross-
off
oncrosscrosscrosscrosscross-
off
cross-
on
cross
High Tide
/ height (m)
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
7:14AM
1.99
7:53PM
2.00
8:34AM
2.10
9:08PM
2.12
Low Tide
/ height (m)
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
1:56PM
0.71
2:32AM
0.63
3:12PM
0.56
3:37AM
0.47
Saturday
24
Sunday
25
Monday
26
Tuesday
27
Wednesday
28
Thursday
29
Friday
30
Sunrise6:18--6:20--6:20--6:22--6:24--6:24--6:26--
Sunset-8:45--8:45--8:44--8:43--8:42--8:42--8:40-
heavy rain
thunderstorm
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
Rain (mm)
12442141--------------
Temp. °C141615171716202016191815212016191916212016
Feels °C (?)9119111011181714171612201915161513191815
  • 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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