South Shore Surf Break

Lat Long: 43.55° S 172.75° E

South Shore Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 12 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's South Shore sea temperature is
9.2° C
0.1° 

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 12 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, S swell with 6,385 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s period with ENE 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 (Aug 13) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 13s. 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 3.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) 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 3.5m 11s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 9PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Thu 13th Aug)3ft (0.9m) 8s
Best Surf12AM (Wed 19th Aug)11ft (3.5m) 16s
Most Powerful 3AM (Wed 19th Aug)11ft (3.5m) 16s

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


Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu morning, min 9°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 10°C on Mon afternoon, min 3°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
Sunday
16
Monday
17
Tuesday
18
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
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
1
!
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.4
ENE
8
1.1
ENE
8
1
ENE
8
0.8
ENE
7
0.7
E
8
0.7
E
8
0.7
E
8
0.6
E
8
0.6
E
7
0.6
E
8
0.4
ENE
8
0.4
ENE
8
0.5
E
9
0.5
ESE
9
0.6
E
9
0.7
E
10
0.6
E
10
0.5
S
15
3.5
S
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
262
171
130
71
55
57
55
41
38
50
24
24
37
42
59
100
77
112
6223
Wind (km/h)
15
E
10
NE
10
SE
10
SW
10
WSW
5
ENE
5
E
10
WSW
10
SSW
20
SW
15
SW
15
SSW
10
WSW
10
W
10
WSW
20
WSW
15
WSW
20
SW
15
W
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
glassy
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
4:13AM2.40m
4:40PM2.52m
5:06AM2.39m
5:33PM2.48m
6:01AM2.37m
6:26PM2.43m
6:59AM2.34m
7:20PM2.37m
7:55AM2.33m
8:16PM2.30m
8:47AM2.32m
9:10PM2.24m
Low Tide
10:03PM0.26m
10:27AM0.18m
10:59PM0.26m
11:21AM0.17m
11:53PM0.27m
12:13PM0.22m
00:46AM0.30m
1:05PM0.31m
1:36AM0.36m
1:58PM0.43m
2:26AM0.44m
2:52PM0.56m
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
cloud
light rain
heavy rain
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:26
7:24
7:24
7:22
7:20
7:18
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:40
5:42
5:43
5:44
5:45
5:45
 mm
5
11
2
Temp °C
10
14
14
12
13
13
10
9
10
5
7
7
6
8
10
9
10
10
10
Feels °C
6
12
12
10
11
12
9
7
8
-2
1
2
2
4
6
5
4
4
6
  • 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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