South Shore surfForecast / Canterbury / New Zealand

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 5 am Tuesday 05 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
13.8° C
(Which is 2.1°C warmer than normal for this time of year)

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 Wednesday (May 06) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.2m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at South Shore in the next 16 days are 2.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Friday (May 08) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Thursday (May 07) at 6AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 3AM (Wed 6th May)0.5ft (0.2m) 17s
Best Surf 9AM (Sat 9th May)4.5ft (1.3m) 9s
Most Powerful 9PM (Fri 8th May)6.5ft (2.0m) 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. Warm (max 21°C on Wed afternoon, min 9°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Sun night. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri morning, min 6°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNE on Fri night, calm by Sat night).

Tuesday
5
Wednesday
6
Thursday
7
Friday
8
Saturday
9
Sunday
10
Monday
11
AM
PM
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
0
0
2
2
2
1
0
1
0
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
ENE
6
0.2
SSE
17
0.2
SSE
18
0.4
NE
8
0.3
NE
8
0.2
E
9
0.2
E
10
0.2
E
10
0.6
ENE
8
0.7
ENE
8
0.9
NE
8
1.9
ENE
10
1.3
NE
9
1.2
ENE
10
1
ENE
10
0.5
ENE
10
0.5
ENE
10
0.6
ENE
13
0.5
ENE
12
0.6
SE
11
0.6
SE
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
12
29
30
17
10
7
8
8
39
50
98
643
269
269
175
51
57
131
83
90
68
Wind (km/h)
5
WSW
10
ENE
5
N
10
WNW
10
NW
0
N
15
NNE
20
NE
20
N
15
NNE
20
NE
25
NNW
15
NW
5
SE
0
SSE
5
NNE
15
WNW
35
SW
25
WSW
25
SW
5
WNW
cross-off
cross-on
glassy
off
off
glassy
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
glassy
cross
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
High Tide
7:20PM2.18m
7:47AM2.04m
7:59PM2.14m
8:32AM2.00m
8:41PM2.09m
9:16AM1.98m
9:27PM2.06m
10:01AM1.96m
10:17PM2.05m
10:47AM1.98m
11:08PM2.06m
11:34AM2.01m
11:58PM2.10m
Low Tide
1:01PM0.75m
1:34AM0.75m
1:42PM0.77m
2:16AM0.75m
2:25PM0.78m
3:01AM0.74m
3:11PM0.76m
3:48AM0.72m
3:59PM0.74m
4:38AM0.69m
4:48PM0.71m
5:27AM0.64m
5:38PM0.67m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:24
7:24
7:26
7:28
7:28
7:30
7:31
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:25
5:23
5:22
5:22
5:21
5:20
5:17
13
Temp °C
12
13
10
16
21
17
19
19
19
18
18
18
18
16
10
13
17
7
9
10
8
10
10
8
14
18
15
15
15
16
16
15
14
14
14
9
11
13
-2
2
3
4
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
ENE
6
0.2
ENE
6
0.2
ENE
8
0.4
NE
8
0.3
N
3
0.2
ENE
5
0.2
ENE
4
0.2
ENE
7
0.6
ENE
8
0.7
ENE
8
0.1
S
15
0.3
S
13
1.2
ENE
10
1
ENE
10
0.5
ENE
10
0.5
ENE
10
0.6
ENE
13
0.5
ENE
12
0.6
SE
11
0.6
SE
9
Energy kJ
12
4
7
17
2
3
2
4
39
50
4
30
269
175
51
57
131
83
90
68
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
SE
17
0.2
SSE
17
0.2
ENE
4
0.3
ENE
6
0.3
NE
8
0.2
E
9
0.2
ENE
6
0.2
E
10
0.1
E
8
0.1
S
9
0.2
S
17
0.3
S
16
0.1
S
16
0.2
SSE
10
0.3
ENE
13
0.3
SSE
11
0.5
E
12
0.4
ENE
11
Energy kJ
11
29
2
6
10
7
4
8
1
2
23
45
5
9
34
23
70
43
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
E
10
0.1
E
9
0.2
SSE
18
0.1
S
15
0.2
ENE
5
0.1
NE
7
0.2
E
10
0.1
S
15
0.1
S
10
0.4
SSW
15
0.3
SE
4
0.3
SE
10
Energy kJ
2
2
30
4
2
2
8
4
2
76
2
17
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
ENE
5
0.4
NW
3
0.3
N
3
0.6
N
3
0.6
NNE
3
0.8
NNE
4
0.3
NNW
3
0.9
NE
8
1.9
ENE
10
1.3
NE
9
0.5
N
3
0.3
W
3
0.4
SW
3
0.8
NNW
4
0.8
WSW
4
1
S
4
0.6
SW
3
0.3
NW
2
Energy kJ
5
2
2
8
7
19
2
98
643
269
6
1
2
14
16
29
9
1
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
3
2
2
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
Distance (km)
25
33
25
25
25
25
33
35
33
33
39
30
0
0
0
30
0
151
2
149
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Canterbury
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
2
3
2
2
3
4
3
3
4
4
4
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
4
2
3
2
2
2
3
1
2
4
4
5
9
4
4
3
9
9
6
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
5
4
5
5
5
6
6
5
5
6
5
7
9
4
4
4
9
9
8
  • 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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