South Shore Surf Break

Lat Long: 43.55° S 172.75° E

South Shore Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 26 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's South Shore sea temperature is
9.8°C
0.7° 

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 25 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 1 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 14s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 1 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 14s period, S swell with 10,425 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s period with NNE 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 Friday (Aug 28) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 14s is also forecast. 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 5.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 12PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6PM (Fri 28th Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 8s
Best Surf 6AM (Tue 1st Sep)16ft (5.0m) 14s
Most Powerful 6AM (Tue 1st Sep)16ft (5.0m) 14s

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


Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Wed night. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri afternoon, min 6°C on Thu morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ENE on Thu afternoon, calm by Fri night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 7°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
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
1
0
1
0
0
0
2
1
1
2
2
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)
0.2
S
17
0.2
SSE
17
0.4
SSE
17
0.4
SSE
17
0.4
SSE
17
1.1
ENE
7
1.7
ENE
8
1.1
ENE
8
0.7
NE
8
0.4
ENE
8
0.4
ENE
8
0.4
NE
8
0.3
SE
12
0.7
S
4
0.6
SSE
17
0.4
SSE
15
0.4
SE
13
1.2
S
12
0.9
SSE
16
0.7
SE
11
0.6
SE
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
23
29
101
97
109
117
403
169
65
25
23
15
22
13
195
89
44
446
464
110
77
Wind (km/h)
5
ESE
10
S
5
SSE
20
E
35
ENE
20
NE
30
NE
30
NNW
5
WSW
15
NW
10
W
5
W
5
WNW
20
ENE
15
SW
5
N
5
SSW
15
WSW
5
N
20
ENE
5
WNW
Wind State
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
off
off
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
off
High Tide
3:12PM2.17m
3:31AM2.08m
3:54PM2.19m
4:13AM2.11m
4:35PM2.22m
4:55AM2.13m
5:15PM2.25m
5:40AM2.16m
5:58PM2.26m
6:27AM2.20m
6:45PM2.26m
7:16AM2.24m
7:37PM2.25m
Low Tide
9:23PM0.67m
9:39AM0.60m
10:07PM0.61m
10:24AM0.54m
10:51PM0.55m
11:06AM0.50m
11:34PM0.51m
11:48AM0.47m
00:17AM0.49m
12:32PM0.47m
1:01AM0.48m
1:19PM0.49m
1:48AM0.50m
part cloud
part cloud
heavy rain
light rain
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:07
7:05
7:03
7:01
7:00
6:58
6:56
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:54
5:55
5:57
5:58
5:59
6:00
6:00
 mm
13
3
Temp °C
13
14
8
7
8
13
15
16
12
14
16
10
9
12
11
9
11
7
8
8
12
Feels °C
11
12
6
0
1
6
11
9
9
10
12
8
7
5
7
6
9
2
4
2
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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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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