South Shore surfForecast / Canterbury / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 am Thursday 28 May 2026 NZST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
South Shore surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's South Shore sea temperature is
12.6° C
(Which is 2.0°C warmer than normal for this time of year)

South Shore surf forecast from 28 May 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 28 May, 6PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 18s period, SSE swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 1 Jun, 6PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, NE swell with 1,156 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 28 May, 6PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 18s 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 Thursday (May 28) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at South Shore in the next 16 days are 3.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jun 01) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Jun 02) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Thu 28th May)2.5ft (0.8m) 18s
Best Surf 6PM (Thu 28th May)2.5ft (0.8m) 18s
Most Powerful 6PM (Mon 1st Jun)10ft (3.0m) 9s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 12°C on Fri morning, min 9°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Tue night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun afternoon, min 11°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
28
Friday
29
Saturday
30
Sunday
31
Monday
1
Tuesday
2
Wednesday
3
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
1
2
1
1
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
SSE
17
0.9
SSE
18
0.7
SSE
18
0.5
SSE
16
0.4
SSE
14
0.4
SSE
12
0.4
SE
11
1
NE
5
0.5
ENE
6
0.3
NE
8
0.8
NE
8
0.9
NE
8
1
ENE
8
1.2
ENE
8
1.3
ENE
9
1.3
ENE
10
1.2
ENE
10
1.1
ENE
10
1
ENE
11
0.8
ENE
10
0.6
ENE
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
267
508
273
144
73
56
31
56
24
10
77
95
131
207
268
289
263
260
263
136
78
Wind (km/h)
5
NE
5
NNE
5
NW
0
W
10
E
15
ENE
10
ENE
5
E
5
NNE
15
N
20
NE
20
NNE
20
NNE
10
NE
5
SSW
5
SE
5
SSW
15
WSW
20
SW
10
SW
10
ENE
glassy
cross
glassy
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
glassy
on
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
High Tide
2:29PM2.21m
2:50AM2.13m
3:17PM2.24m
3:38AM2.12m
4:03PM2.26m
4:24AM2.12m
4:48PM2.25m
5:07AM2.10m
5:30PM2.23m
5:49AM2.08m
6:10PM2.19m
6:31AM2.05m
6:49PM2.16m
Low Tide
8:49PM0.70m
8:56AM0.66m
9:37PM0.72m
9:42AM0.70m
10:21PM0.73m
10:27AM0.72m
11:03PM0.74m
11:11AM0.73m
11:44PM0.75m
11:52AM0.73m
00:25AM0.74m
12:33PM0.72m
1:06AM0.72m
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
light rain
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:48
7:48
7:50
7:50
7:50
7:52
7:52
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:02
5:02
5:01
5:01
5:00
5:00
5:00
1
3
1
Temp °C
10
11
10
12
12
10
11
12
11
16
18
18
17
18
14
15
14
12
11
10
10
8
9
9
10
10
7
10
11
9
12
14
13
14
17
14
15
14
10
8
8
9
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
SSE
17
0.9
SSE
18
0.7
SSE
18
0.5
SSE
16
0.4
SSE
14
0.4
SSE
12
0.4
SE
11
0.5
ENE
5
0.5
ENE
6
0.3
ENE
6
0.1
SE
10
0.1
SE
9
0.2
S
15
1.3
ENE
9
1.3
ENE
10
1.2
ENE
10
1.1
ENE
10
1
ENE
11
0.8
ENE
10
0.6
ENE
10
Energy kJ
267
508
273
144
73
56
31
15
24
7
4
3
17
268
289
263
260
263
136
78
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
E
12
0.2
ENE
12
0.2
E
11
0.1
E
11
0.1
E
10
0.1
E
10
0.1
E
9
0.2
SSE
10
0.2
SSE
10
0.3
NE
8
0.2
S
14
0.1
S
15
0.2
S
9
0.1
S
8
0.2
S
13
0.2
S
12
0.3
S
11
0.2
S
10
0.4
SE
6
0.3
SE
6
0.3
SE
6
Energy kJ
11
13
9
2
2
2
2
10
9
10
15
5
6
1
14
11
23
8
9
6
5
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
NE
5
0.1
E
14
0.1
E
13
0.1
E
12
0.1
E
9
0.1
E
12
0.2
SSE
10
0.1
S
12
0.2
S
15
0.2
S
14
0.1
S
8
0.2
S
11
0.2
S
15
0.1
S
14
0.1
S
13
0.3
SSW
11
Energy kJ
1
4
3
3
2
3
9
3
17
16
1
10
17
4
3
24
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
NE
3
0.6
ENE
5
1
NE
5
0.7
N
4
0.8
NE
8
0.9
NE
8
1
ENE
8
1.2
ENE
8
0.4
SW
4
0.5
SSW
4
0.4
SW
3
Energy kJ
2
14
56
13
77
95
131
207
7
7
3
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
4
2
1
4
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
2
2
2
1
2
1
1
Distance (km)
0
61
0
0
35
33
19
2
30
33
35
35
49
42
0
33
0
0
0
0
33
Best forecast wave conditions in Canterbury
Rating
(10 max)
5
4
5
4
4
3
3
2
2
1
2
3
2
3
4
3
3
3
3
3
2
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
5
9
9
5
4
4
4
2
2
3
4
3
4
4
4
3
4
4
3
3
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
6
9
9
6
5
4
5
5
5
7
7
6
5
4
4
4
5
6
4
4
4
  • 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 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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