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Surf Forecasts:

Woodpecker Bay surfForecast / West Coast South Island / New Zealand
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
15.3° 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 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (May 27) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 14s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Woodpecker Bay in the next 16 days are 3.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (May 31) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 4.0m 11s period and expected on Monday (Jun 01) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Wed 27th May) | 4ft (1.2m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Wed 27th May) | 4ft (1.2m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Sun 31st May) | 11ft (3.5m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Woodpecker Bay over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Very mild (max 13°C on Wed morning, min 9°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 51mm), heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun morning, min 11°C on Sat morning). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 27 | Thursday 28 | Friday 29 | Saturday 30 | Sunday 31 | Monday 1 | Tuesday 2 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | NNW 11 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | NW 9 | NW 10 | NW 9 | WSW 13 | |
236 | 577 | 561 | 434 | 711 | 368 | 796 | 722 | 561 | 414 | 341 | 193 | 99 | 61 | 2339 | 30 | 29 | 168 | 356 | 135 | 444 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
cross-on | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | off | glassy | glassy | |
High Tide | 8:14PM2.41m | 8:34AM2.44m | 8:56PM2.47m | 9:16AM2.47m | 9:36PM2.52m | 9:55AM2.51m | 10:13PM2.56m | 10:34AM2.53m | 10:51PM2.58m | 11:12AM2.53m | 11:29PM2.58m | 11:51AM2.51m | 00:07AM2.56m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:59PM0.53m | 2:22AM0.55m | 2:44PM0.50m | 3:06AM0.51m | 3:25PM0.48m | 3:47AM0.47m | 4:04PM0.47m | 4:26AM0.44m | 4:43PM0.47m | 5:05AM0.43m | 5:21PM0.48m | 5:44AM0.44m | 5:59PM0.50m | ||||||||
7:48 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | |
— | 5:14 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:10 | — | |
4 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 11 | 16 | 16 | 5 | 2 | 8 | |
Temp °C | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 |
12 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 15 | |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | NNW 8 | WSW 12 | NNW 11 | N 11 | N 11 | N 10 | N 10 | N 9 | W 9 |
236 | 577 | 561 | 434 | 711 | 368 | 796 | 722 | 561 | 414 | 341 | 193 | 355 | 61 | 2339 | 3103 | 2891 | 867 | 408 | 380 | 224 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 11 | N 7 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | WSW 6 | N 11 | N 11 | N 11 | N 11 | N 10 | N 5 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 12 | NW 9 | NW 10 | NW 9 | N 9 |
99 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 78 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 27 | 99 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 168 | 356 | 135 | 211 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 8 | N 12 | N 12 | N 12 | N 12 | N 7 | — | — | — | — | N 10 | N 10 | — | — | — | — | — | NW 12 | WSW 11 | WNW 10 | WSW 13 |
4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 149 | 49 | 96 | 444 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | WSW 5 | — | — | NE 7 | — | — | — | NNE 4 | — | — | N 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 28 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | 1306 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 172 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 36 | 91 | 172 | 91 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in West Coast South Island | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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 16 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.











