South Shore Surf Break

Lat Long: 43.55° S 172.75° E

South Shore Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 20 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's South Shore sea temperature is
9.7° C
0.6° 

South Shore surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


South Shore surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 14s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 8s period, NE swell with 256 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 14s period with SSE swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for South Shore this week:

The surf forecast for South Shore over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.3m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 14s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at South Shore in the next 16 days are 1.4m 8s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12AM (Mon 24th Aug)1ft (0.3m) 14s
Best Surf12AM (Mon 24th Aug)1ft (0.3m) 14s
Most Powerful 3AM (Fri 28th Aug)4.5ft (1.4m) 8s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for South Shore over the next 16 days.


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat morning, min 6°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri night, near gales from the NW by Sat night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Wed morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue afternoon, min 6°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun night, strong winds from the NW by Tue night).

Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
SSE
16
0.2
SSE
14
0.2
SSE
12
0.2
SSE
11
0.2
SSE
11
0.2
SSE
10
1
NNE
5
0.5
NE
9
0.2
E
14
0.3
SSE
14
0.3
SSE
13
0.3
SSE
13
0.2
E
14
0.2
E
14
0.2
E
14
0.2
S
18
0.2
S
16
0.2
E
14
0.2
SSE
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
26
18
15
12
11
10
52
38
15
39
35
33
16
15
15
25
21
15
24
Wind (km/h)
10
NNE
10
NE
20
ENE
5
WNW
10
NNW
35
NNW
30
NNW
45
NW
45
WNW
10
WSW
5
NNW
5
E
5
W
5
WSW
30
WNW
35
NNW
0
SW
10
ENE
20
ENE
Wind State
cross
cross-on
cross-on
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
glassy
glassy
glassy
cross-off
off
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
10:50PM2.15m
11:12AM2.23m
11:37PM2.10m
12:01PM2.19m
00:24AM2.07m
12:51PM2.17m
1:12AM2.05m
1:40PM2.16m
2:01AM2.04m
2:27PM2.16m
2:47AM2.06m
3:12PM2.17m
Low Tide
4:58AM0.71m
5:34PM0.79m
5:45AM0.76m
6:25PM0.80m
6:29AM0.77m
7:12PM0.80m
7:14AM0.76m
7:56PM0.77m
8:01AM0.72m
8:39PM0.73m
8:50AM0.66m
9:23PM0.67m
clear
clear
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
light rain
cloud
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:15
7:13
7:11
7:09
7:07
7:07
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:49
5:51
5:52
5:52
5:53
5:54
 mm
1
2
Temp °C
8
7
8
8
14
13
14
12
12
9
8
11
10
15
16
14
9
8
8
Feels °C
5
4
4
7
9
5
7
2
1
2
5
9
7
11
9
4
8
5
4
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
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Quick surf report for South Shore:

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Information about the South Shore Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for South Shore provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at South Shore can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our South Shore 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 (South Shore) 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 South Shore 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 Canterbury? If you are looking for accommodation near Eddies South Shore, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Canterbury, consider staying in Christchurch which is 7 km (4 miles) away.

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