Surf Forecasts:
Ocean Beach surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 16 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 8s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 13s period, S swell with 7,174 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 15 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 8s period with ENE 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 Saturday (Aug 15) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Ocean Beach in the next 16 days are 4.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 12PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 5s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Sat 15th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 12PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 12PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 15ft (4.5m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Ocean Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for Ocean Beach.
Right off the bat, it’s a rough start. The forecast period opens with a blank few days – Thursday and Friday are a write-off. The swell is small and the wind is messy, a cross-shore chop that’s just not worth paddling out for. The wave energy is weak, around 243, and the period is short, just 8 seconds. Honestly, it’s a time to stay on the sand. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing special.
Saturday morning, the wind goes glassy, which is a major positive. The swell is 6 ft from the ENE, but the energy is moderate at 523. The period is still short at 8 seconds, so it might be a bit wonky, but it’s the first real chance for a surf. The crowd profile at Ocean Beach says it’s sometimes crowded, so you might have some company, but it’s the best option early on.
Then things get wild. Sunday through Wednesday, a monster swell rolls in. We’re talking 10 ft to 15 ft from the S and SSW, with energy readings going from 1250 up to a massive 11352. The period builds from 8 to 15 seconds. That’s a powerful, long-period groundswell. The wind is cross-offshore and clean, but the size is just too big for Ocean Beach – it’s expert territory only. The forecast even says the swell is predicted to be too big for this break. This is more of a kite-surfing spectacle than a paddle session.
The real standout comes on Thursday, the 20th of August. Thursday morning, we get offshore wind from the W at 10 km/h, a 10 ft swell from the S with a long 13-second period, and energy at 4577. The forecast calls it “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” That’s the pick of the window. The swell direction is from the S, and the optimum swell direction for Ocean Beach is SE, so it’s close enough to be good. The period is long, so it’ll be a proper groundswell with long gaps, but at a beach break it might be a bit straight. Still, for an experienced surfer, that’s the one to circle.
Friday the 21st and Saturday the 22nd offer a bit of a comedown. Friday morning has offshore wind and a 6 ft swell from the S, with clean conditions. Saturday morning is clean too, with a smaller 4 ft swell from the S, but the period is a very long 14 seconds. The energy is moderate at 708. It’s good, but not a standout.
From Sunday the 23rd onward, the swell drops off and the quality fades. The wind turns variable and the energy dips below 300. The last week is a bit of a fade-out, with small, short-period swell and onshore winds. There’s a brief window on Thursday the 27th with a clean, offshore wind and a 6 ft swell from the NE, but the period is short at 6 seconds, so it’s not gonna be a classic.
So, the bottom line: the first two days are a total loss. The big swell mid-period is for experts only. The best bet for a good, clean, challenging session is Thursday morning the 20th of August. After that, it’s a tail-off into small, ordinary conditions.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 25mm), heaviest during Fri night. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri morning, min 9°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 13°C on Sat night, min 6°C on Mon night). Mainly strong winds. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SE 9 | SE 8 | NE 6 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | SSW 8 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 | SSE 10 | S 10 | S 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
241 | 102 | 88 | 305 | 192 | 171 | 355 | 548 | 459 | 331 | 881 | 2438 | 3370 | 2869 | 2869 | 3842 | 2062 | 1690 | 4631 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:14AM1.52m | 5:44PM1.66m | 6:10AM1.53m | 6:39PM1.65m | 7:06AM1.53m | 7:33PM1.63m | 8:00AM1.52m | 8:25PM1.59m | 8:52AM1.50m | 9:15PM1.53m | 9:43AM1.47m | 10:05PM1.47m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:08PM0.06m | 11:26AM0.02m | 00:06AM0.04m | 12:24PM0.02m | 1:01AM0.03m | 1:19PM0.03m | 1:55AM0.03m | 2:14PM0.05m | 2:46AM0.06m | 3:07PM0.10m | 3:36AM0.10m | 3:58PM0.15m | |||||||
— | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | |
mm | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 16 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 11 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Feels °C | 6 | 6 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 13 | -2 | -2 | -1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 8 | SSW 16 | E 10 | SSE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | ESE 10 |
241 | 102 | 66 | 28 | 22 | 22 | 17 | 33 | 459 | 331 | 254 | 185 | 89 | 214 | 164 | 2779 | 1243 | 416 | 72 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SW 18 | ESE 13 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 12 | S 18 | — | — | SSW 14 | E 10 | ESE 12 | E 11 |
71 | 64 | 17 | 29 | 23 | 16 | 7 | 13 | 33 | 93 | 99 | 15 | 167 | — | — | 115 | 18 | 187 | 9 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 10 | ESE 13 | S 9 | ESE 13 | ESE 14 | ESE 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 18 | ESE 11 | ESE 13 | — | — | — | — | E 10 | — | — | — |
4 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 9 | 8 | 31 | 25 | 16 | — | — | — | — | 64 | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 8 | — | — | SSW 8 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 | SSE 10 | S 10 | S 11 |
58 | 60 | 88 | 305 | 192 | 171 | 355 | 548 | — | — | 881 | 2438 | 3370 | 2869 | 2869 | 3842 | 2062 | 1690 | 4631 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 52 | 52 | 8 | 23 | 8 | 104 | 73 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 204 | 201 | 34 | 34 | 34 | 6 | 215 | 252 | 34 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Hawkes Bay | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.











