Ocean Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.77° S 177.01° E

Ocean Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 11 pm 18 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Ocean Beach sea temperature is
12.1° C
1.4° 

Ocean Beach surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Ocean Beach surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 11s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 11s period, S swell with 5,114 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 11s 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 4.5m and 11s period. 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 4.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) 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 1.1m 5s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 3AM.

Wave TypeTime (NZST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 6AM (Wed 19th Aug)15ft (4.5m) 11s
Best Surf 6AM (Wed 19th Aug)15ft (4.5m) 11s
Most Powerful 6AM (Wed 19th Aug)15ft (4.5m) 11s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Ocean Beach over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s take a good look at what Ocean Beach has in store for us over the next couple of weeks. It’s a beach and reef setup, fairly exposed and generally consistent, but this run is a real mixed bag.

We kick off Wednesday, August 19 and the first thing you need to know is that this swell is absolutely pumping, but it’s way too much. The combined swell energy is through the roof at 5197 (strong to very strong), with a solid 13ft S swell and 11-second period. The wind is a cross-off, so it’s clean, but at 13ft this is strictly for the hardcore crew only – beginners need to sit this one out. That afternoon it drops to 10ft, but with the very long 15-second period, it’ll be powerful and still big. The water temp anomaly is basically average for this time of year.

Thursday morning the 20th sees a big drop to 3ft, clean with a light breeze, but the energy is weak (1159). It’s small and ordinary. Afternoon picks up a bit to 6ft, but the period is only 8 seconds – that’s short-period windswell – and the wind shifts cross-shore creating chop. Not worth paddling out for.

Now, Friday morning August 21 looks like the first true standout. The swell is 5ft from the S with a very long 16-second period, combined energy 1439 (moderate), and we get a crisp NW offshore wind at just 3 mph – that’s glassy clean conditions. The wave comment says excellent for experienced surfers. The long-period groundswell will work best on this beach-and-reef setup, but just be aware that long-period waves can break a bit straight on beach breaks. Still, this is the best on offer early on. That afternoon the wind shifts onshore and it gets messy.

Saturday 22 has a clean morning with 3ft S swell, but the energy is low at 288. Sunday 23 is even smaller, and by Sunday afternoon the swell is down to just 1.0ft – a poor run stretches from there. From August 24 through to August 30, we see a long gap of days with tiny swell – mostly under 3ft – and combined energy below 400 most of the time. The surf is mostly flat or very ordinary. The odd morning has clean conditions but nothing with any power. That’s a solid week of quiet waves.

Then we get a bit of life back on Monday August 31. The morning brings a 7ft S swell with a decent 14-second period and combined energy of 1735 (moderate to strong). Wind is light offshore from the SW, so it’ll be clean, but that 7ft is getting into expert territory. The afternoon turns onshore and choppy.

Tuesday September 1 is mellow but glassy – 4ft S swell, 11 seconds, and glassy conditions. Nice little morning session. Then Wednesday September 2 morning shapes up as another standout: 5ft SSW swell with a very long 16-second period, combined energy 1304 (moderate), and a light offshore wind from WSW (6 mph) – that’s clean and lined up. The wave comment says very good surf conditions. That’s the best of the second week. The afternoon gets onshore again.

Finally, Thursday September 3 morning holds 6ft S swell at 12 seconds, light NW cross-off, clean. Another decent option for experienced surfers.

Overall, the first standout is Friday morning August 21 with that crisp NW offshore and long-period swell. The second standout is Wednesday morning September 2 with the offshore wind and very good wave quality. The rest of the forecast is mostly small, choppy, or just too big – a lot of onshore wind ruins the afternoons. Stick to the mornings if you can, and keep an eye on that long-range promise.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 13°C on Thu afternoon, min 7°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Tue night, calm by Thu night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat afternoon, min 8°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds.

Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
!
!
3
4
2
1
2
4
1
2
2
1
1
1
0
0
0
2
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
5
S
11
4
S
11
3
S
15
2.1
S
14
1
SSW
13
1.8
S
8
1.5
S
8
1.6
S
16
1.5
S
16
1.3
S
13
1
S
12
0.9
S
11
0.8
S
11
0.6
S
10
0.4
S
10
0.3
ESE
12
0.3
ESE
13
0.6
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
6712
4207
4075
1807
361
439
313
1306
1092
529
262
195
144
69
34
30
34
184
366
Wind (km/h)
45
SSW
30
SSW
25
SSW
15
WSW
15
SW
20
S
5
WNW
5
NW
10
NE
10
W
15
NW
15
WNW
15
NNW
15
WNW
30
W
5
WNW
10
NW
10
NNW
15
WNW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
glassy
cross-off
cross-on
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
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
2:32PM1.34m
2:52AM1.26m
Low Tide
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
8:14AM0.33m
8:48PM0.35m
rain showers
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:54
6:52
6:52
6:50
6:48
6:48
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:36
5:37
5:37
5:38
5:39
5:40
 mm
4
Temp °C
8
8
9
10
12
13
10
13
13
11
17
18
13
18
18
12
15
17
13
Feels °C
-2
1
2
5
7
8
8
10
10
9
13
14
10
13
12
9
11
14
9
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  • 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 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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