South Shore Surf Break

Lat Long: 43.55° S 172.75° E

South Shore Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 5 am 17 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's South Shore sea temperature is
10.0° C
0.9° 

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 16 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 17 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 13s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 15s period, SE swell with 418 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 9s period with E 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 17) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 15s. 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 1.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 13s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 6PM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)12PM (Mon 17th Aug)2.5ft (0.7m) 9s
Best Surf 9PM (Mon 17th Aug)2.5ft (0.7m) 13s
Most Powerful12AM (Wed 19th Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 15s

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


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 11°C on Tue morning, min 4°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Tue morning, calm by Wed night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

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

Monday
17
Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
0
0
2
1
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
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)
0.7
E
9
0.6
E
9
0.6
E
11
0.5
E
10
1
S
11
1
SE
15
0.4
SSE
15
0.6
SE
8
0.4
ESE
9
0.3
ESE
9
0.3
ESE
9
0.2
SSE
17
0.3
SSE
16
0.2
SSE
14
0.1
SE
12
0.2
E
15
0.2
E
14
0.2
E
13
0.2
E
13
0.2
E
13
0.2
S
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
78
61
81
48
235
418
89
57
28
16
15
28
50
19
5
17
15
12
14
14
19
Wind (km/h)
10
WSW
10
SW
15
WSW
20
WSW
30
SSW
15
SW
10
WSW
10
SSW
5
SW
5
WNW
10
ENE
15
ENE
5
N
0
N
5
W
10
NNW
20
NW
15
NNW
15
ENE
35
SSW
5
W
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
glassy
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross
glassy
High Tide
8:16PM2.30m
8:47AM2.32m
9:10PM2.24m
9:37AM2.30m
10:01PM2.19m
10:25AM2.27m
10:50PM2.15m
11:12AM2.23m
11:37PM2.10m
12:01PM2.19m
00:24AM2.07m
12:51PM2.17m
1:12AM2.05m
Low Tide
1:58PM0.43m
2:26AM0.44m
2:52PM0.56m
3:17AM0.54m
3:46PM0.66m
4:08AM0.64m
4:41PM0.74m
4:58AM0.71m
5:34PM0.79m
5:45AM0.76m
6:25PM0.80m
6:29AM0.77m
7:12PM0.80m
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:20
7:18
7:18
7:16
7:15
7:13
7:11
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:45
5:45
5:46
5:47
5:49
5:51
5:52
 mm
1
1
Temp °C
8
10
9
11
10
8
10
11
9
9
9
8
9
12
10
13
16
12
12
9
8
Feels °C
4
5
4
3
3
4
7
8
7
7
6
5
7
11
7
8
11
7
5
2
3
  • 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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