Woodpecker Bay surf break

Woodpecker Bay surfForecast / West Coast South Island / New Zealand

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 pm Wednesday 07 Jan 2026 NZDT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Woodpecker Bay surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Woodpecker Bay sea temperature is
18.0° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Woodpecker Bay this week:

The surf forecast for Woodpecker Bay over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jan 08) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 11s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Woodpecker Bay in the next 12 days are 5.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jan 11) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 9s period and expected on Thursday (Jan 15) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Thu 8th Jan)3.5ft (1.0m) 11s
Best Surf10PM (Fri 9th Jan)6ft (1.8m) 12s
Most Powerful10PM (Sun 11th Jan)16ft (5.0m) 11s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Woodpecker Bay over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Warm (max 20°C on Fri afternoon, min 14°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 34mm), heaviest during Sun morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat night, min 13°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNW on Sun morning, calm by Mon night).

Wed
07
Thursday
08
Friday
09
Saturday
10
Sunday
11
Monday
12
Tuesday
13
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
2
0
1
0
0
2
2
2
2
3
3
2
2
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.9
WSW
0.9
WSW
1
WSW
1
WSW
1.2
WSW
1.3
WSW
1
WSW
1.8
W
1.6
W
1.1
WSW
2.2
W
2.5
WNW
4
W
3.5
WSW
3
WSW
2.5
WSW
2.5
WSW
2.1
WSW
1.9
WSW
1.6
WSW
1.4
WSW
Period(s) (?)121111101113131211141010111212121111111111
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)2221902182023465513029096214788951422373537372380196015321016823572444
Wind
(km/h)
20
SW
10
S
10
WSW
20
SW
5
SE
10
WNW
15
WSW
20
SW
15
NNW
10
W
20
NNW
35
NNW
25
W
20
WSW
20
WSW
25
WSW
10
SSW
10
SW
10
SW
5
S
5
NW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
offcrosscross-
off
offcross-
on
crosscross-
off
oncross-
on
ononcrosscrosscrosscrosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
2:57AM
2.64
3:16PM
2.70
3:43AM
2.50
4:02PM
2.53
4:30AM
2.36
4:51PM
2.36
5:21AM
2.24
5:45PM
2.22
6:18AM
2.16
6:45PM
2.13
7:20AM
2.13
7:50PM
2.11
8:21AM
2.16
Low Tide
/ height (m)
8:48PM
0.16
9:04AM
0.31
9:34PM
0.31
9:51AM
0.45
10:20PM
0.47
10:40AM
0.61
11:09PM
0.63
11:32AM
0.74
12:02AM
0.75
12:31PM
0.83
1:01AM
0.84
1:34PM
0.87
2:03AM
0.86
Wed
07
Thursday
08
Friday
09
Saturday
10
Sunday
11
Monday
12
Tuesday
13
Sunrise--6:07--6:09--6:09--6:11--6:11--6:13--6:13
Sunset9:12--9:12--9:12--9:12--9:12--9:10--9:10--
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
rain showers
light rain
cloud
light rain
heavy rain
heavy rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
clear
Rain (mm)
-----3-11-312113212--1-
Temp. °C181619191718201718181919181515151517171418
Feels °C (?)151617171718191618181815151011111315151318
  • 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 Woodpecker Bay Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Woodpecker Bay provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 12 days. A general guide to surfing at Woodpecker Bay can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Woodpecker Bay 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 (Woodpecker Bay) 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 Woodpecker Bay 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.

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