Surf Forecasts:
Ocean Beach surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 12s period, S swell with 7,307 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period with S swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Ocean Beach this week:
The surf forecast for Ocean Beach over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Ocean Beach in the next 16 days are 5.5m 12s 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 0.9m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 12PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 18ft (5.5m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Ocean Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s on the table for the next couple of weeks. We’ve got a big, powerful, and pretty wild stretch of swell coming, but it’s not all going to be easy to surf. The water sits at 53.8°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year—about 2.5° cooler, so you’ll want a thicker suit.
The first real action kicks off Monday afternoon, 17th August, at Ocean Beach. It’s a beach and reef setup, fairly exposed to the swell. We’re looking at a solid 9.8ft SSE swell with a period of 9 seconds, and the combined energy is pumping at 1637. That’s a lot of moving water. The wind is a cross-off from the SSW at 19 mph, so the face will be clean, but honestly, this is already a big wave for a beginner spot. The size is borderline for anyone who isn’t confident.
Tuesday morning, 18th August, drops a bit to 6.9ft from the SSW, but the period is short at 8 seconds and the wind is still strong. The afternoon on Tuesday is where it gets serious: a 13.1ft S swell with a 10-second period and a combined energy of 2994. That’s moderate to strong energy. The wind is cross-off, so the waves will look clean, but at this size, this break is going to be too big for most. It’s going to be a washing machine for anyone not on a gun.
Wednesday, 19th August, is the peak of the first big pulse. Morning brings a 14.8ft S swell, 11-second period, with a combined energy of 5074—that’s strong. Wednesday afternoon drops to 11.5ft S, still 11 seconds, and 3227 energy. Winds are cross-off both sessions. The waves will be clean, but this is expert-only territory. Anything over 8.2ft is for the brave, and this is well over that.
Thursday morning, 20th August, is a different story. The swell drops to 8.2ft from the SSW, but the period stretches to 13 seconds—a nice long-period groundswell. The wind is a gentle breeze from the WSW, 9 mph, cross-off, and the conditions are clean. The combined energy is still 2958, so there’s plenty of push. This is the standout of the first week. The longer period means better shaped waves, more energy, and longer lulls between sets, making it easier to get out. For experienced surfers, this is the one to aim for. The crowd factor is “sometimes” here, so expect company.
Thursday afternoon goes downhill: 6.6ft S, 8-second period, cross-shore wind, and only 1180 energy. The conditions are choppy. Not worth it.
Friday morning, 21st August, has a 5.2ft S swell with a 16-second period—very long period. Wind is light and cross-off from the WNW at 6 mph. Clean waves, but with that period, the swell might break a bit too straight on a beach break. It’s still good for experienced surfers, but the afternoon is weaker with a cross-on wind.
Saturday, 22nd August, through to Sunday, 23rd August, is small. We’re down to 3.0ft and 1.6ft, combined energy dropping to 82. The energy is weak. The conditions are clean, but it’s tiny. There’s a gap of poor-to-ordinary surf from Saturday morning through to Sunday afternoon.
Monday, 24th August, shows a small 3.3ft SSW swell with a 17-second period in the afternoon. The wind is offshore from the W at 12 mph, moderate breeze, and the waves are clean. The combined energy is 629. This is a good sign for something building.
The second week starts to look interesting. Tuesday, 25th August, afternoon has a 4.6ft SSW swell, 14-second period, with an offshore wind from the WNW at 16 mph. The combined energy is 981. The waves are clean and the forecast is very good. Wednesday, 26th August, morning has a 4.9ft S swell, 11-second period, gentle offshore wind, and 613 energy. Clean again.
Then there’s a lull Thursday, 27th August, with poor conditions and small waves.
But Friday morning, 28th August, is a standout for the second week. A 5.2ft SSW swell with a 15-second period, light cross-off wind from the NNW at 6 mph, and a combined energy of 1207. The conditions are clean. That’s a solid, long-period groundswell with light wind—perfect for a point break or reef. At Ocean Beach, it’ll still be good, but watch for the period making it a bit straight.
Sunday morning, 30th August, is another good one: 5.2ft S
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 12°C on Thu morning, min 5°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Tue night, light winds from the SSW by Thu morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat afternoon, min 8°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | ||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | SSW 8 | S 10 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 14 | SSW 13 | S 8 | S 9 | S 16 | S 14 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | ESE 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1473 | 620 | 2806 | 6833 | 4489 | 2469 | 1977 | 2258 | 401 | 284 | 1149 | 780 | 383 | 216 | 202 | 149 | 71 | 33 | 30 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:15PM1.53m | 9:43AM1.47m | 10:05PM1.47m | 10:32AM1.44m | 10:54PM1.41m | 11:21AM1.41m | 11:42PM1.35m | 12:09PM1.38m | 00:30AM1.31m | 12:56PM1.36m | 1:18AM1.28m | 1:44PM1.34m | 2:05AM1.26m | ||||||
Low Tide | 3:36AM0.10m | 3:58PM0.15m | 4:23AM0.15m | 4:48PM0.20m | 5:10AM0.21m | 5:37PM0.25m | 5:56AM0.26m | 6:25PM0.30m | 6:42AM0.30m | 7:12PM0.33m | 7:28AM0.32m | 8:00PM0.35m | |||||||
 |  |  |  | |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — |
mm | — | — | 4 | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 7 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 16 | 18 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 13 |
Feels °C | 1 | 2 | 1 | -1 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 12 | 15 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 9 | SE 9 | E 18 | ESE 16 | SE 14 | SE 9 | S 14 | S 8 | ESE 8 | S 9 | S 16 | S 14 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SW 6 |
| kJ | 971 | 304 | 6 | 24 | 46 | 626 | 1977 | 448 | 86 | 284 | 1149 | 780 | 383 | 216 | 202 | 149 | 71 | 31 | 13 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | — | — | — | SSE 10 | ESE 9 | SE 8 | SSW 12 | ESE 8 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | N 4 | ESE 12 |
| kJ | 100 | 47 | — | — | — | 61 | 440 | 162 | 150 | 90 | 133 | 90 | 52 | 23 | 8 | 34 | 34 | 5 | 30 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 9 | SSW 13 | S 18 | S 17 | — | — | S 16 | E 15 | E 14 | SE 9 | NE 13 | ESE 13 | S 9 |
| kJ | 115 | — | — | — | — | — | 32 | 298 | 25 | 212 | — | — | 47 | 4 | 16 | 3 | 7 | 33 | 15 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | SSW 8 | S 10 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | — | SSW 13 | S 8 | — | — | — | N 3 | NW 2 | NNW 3 | N 3 | NNW 4 | W 3 | WNW 3 |
| kJ | 1473 | 620 | 2806 | 6833 | 4489 | 2469 | — | 2258 | 401 | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 24 | 7 | 5 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 6 | 215 | 255 | 255 | 34 | 142 | 6 | 0 | 77 | 0 | 0 | 67 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 54 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Hawkes Bay | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||
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The surf report / weather widget below is available to embed on third party websites free of charge and provides a summary of our Ocean Beach surf forecast. Simply grab the html code snippet that we provide and paste it into your own site. You can choose your preferred language and metric/imperial units for the surf forecast feed to suit users of your site. Click here to get the code.
Information about the Ocean Beach Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Ocean Beach provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Ocean Beach can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Ocean Beach 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 (Ocean Beach) 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 Ocean Beach 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.
Ocean Beach is 20 km (12 miles) from the city of Hastings. If you plan a holiday in Hawkes Bay, look for hotels and other accommodation in Hastings. Hastings has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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