Surf Forecasts:
Ocean Beach surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 13s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 17s period, S swell with 1,769 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 13s period with ESE 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 Monday (Aug 24) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.3m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Ocean Beach in the next 16 days are 1.7m 17s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 1ft (0.3m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Ocean Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, it’s Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s coming up for Ocean Beach.
Right off the bat, we’re looking at a bit of a mixed bag. The first few days are pretty ordinary – small, short-period slop from the south, nothing to write home about. It’s surfable, but you’ll be working for it.
Sunday morning the 23rd starts with a clean 2ft south swell, but the wind is a stiff cross-offshore from the NNW at 19 mph, and the wave energy is weak (217). The water is a bit colder than normal for this time of year at 54°. That afternoon, it goes glassy offshore with a tiny 2ft swell, but it’s really just a knee-high dribbler.
Monday morning the 24th is still clean but small at 3ft. Then Monday afternoon, things get interesting. The swell jumps to 7ft from the SSW with a lovely 13-second period, and the offshore wind is a gentle 9 mph. The energy is strong (1373). This is excellent surf for experienced surfers, but at over 5ft, it’s not for beginners. The waves will have good shape, and the sets will have some punch.
Tuesday the 25th is a solid day, too. Morning sees 4ft SSW groundswell (12 seconds) with light cross-offshore wind, energy moderate (413). Afternoon drops to 3ft but keeps the offshore breeze and clean lines. These are good, fun waves for a confident intermediate.
Wednesday the 26th gets weird. The morning has a 2ft swell, but that period is a crazy 17 seconds – very long groundswell. The energy is moderate (411), but those long-period swells on a beach break like Ocean Beach can be tricky; they’ll break straight and close out quickly. The afternoon has a tiny cross-shore wind and a 3ft wave, but it’s marginal.
Now, hold on. Thursday the 27th morning is a standout. A 4ft SSW swell with a 17-second period, light cross-offshore wind, and very good energy (933). The waves will be clean, powerful, and have solid shape. This is the best session of the first week, no doubt. The afternoon gets messy with a cross-onshore wind.
Friday the 28th is a write-off – strong winds and marginal surf. The weekend is small and ordinary until…
Monday the 31st of August. This is the real standout. The morning brings a 8ft south swell with a 10-second period and gentle offshore wind. The energy is huge (1091). This is a big, powerful swell – only for experts. The waves will be heavy and fast. The afternoon gets choppy, so get in early.
Tuesday the 1st of September is still good with a 4ft SSW groundswell (16 seconds) and clean conditions. Energy is moderate (654). After that, the week of the 2nd to the 5th is a mix of clean but small surf and increasing winds. The 4th of September has a 5ft south swell with light wind, but the wind picks up in the afternoon. Rain showers hit on the 5th.
The final weekend, the 6th and 7th of September, fades out. Sunday morning the 6th is a gem for the die-hards: glassy conditions with a 3ft swell and 14-second period (303 energy). It’s clean but small. Monday the 7th is tiny.
Overall, the best on offer is Monday afternoon the 24th and Monday morning the 31st of August. The 31st is the biggest, but the 24th has the best balance of size, period, and perfect offshore wind. The 27th morning is also a treat for the long-period crew.
Stay safe, and don’t sleep on that 31st.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun morning, min 9°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNW on Sun morning, calm by Mon afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu morning, min 9°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Wed morning, fresh winds from the N by Fri morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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 10 | S 10 | ESE 13 | SSW 9 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 13 | SSW 17 | S 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
98 | 50 | 33 | 189 | 1339 | 713 | 373 | 265 | 150 | 315 | 324 | 181 | 888 | 1591 | 1400 | 788 | 498 | 292 | 206 | 123 | 106 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:44PM1.34m | 2:05AM1.26m | 2:32PM1.34m | 2:52AM1.26m | 3:20PM1.35m | 3:40AM1.26m | 4:07PM1.37m | 4:27AM1.27m | 4:53PM1.39m | 5:13AM1.30m | 5:38PM1.41m | 5:59AM1.32m | 6:23PM1.43m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:00PM0.35m | 8:14AM0.33m | 8:48PM0.35m | 9:01AM0.32m | 9:36PM0.34m | 9:48AM0.30m | 10:24PM0.32m | 10:35AM0.28m | 11:11PM0.29m | 11:23AM0.25m | 11:58PM0.25m | 12:10PM0.22m | 00:43AM0.22m | ||||||||
6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | |
— | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 18 | 11 | 14 | 16 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 14 | 19 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 10 |
Feels °C | 12 | 14 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 8 | 13 | 15 | 7 | 14 | 16 | 12 | 17 | 14 | 9 | 10 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 6 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 10 | SW 6 | SSW 9 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 13 | SSW 17 | S 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 |
98 | 50 | 21 | 189 | 1339 | 713 | 373 | 265 | 150 | 315 | 324 | 181 | 888 | 1591 | 1400 | 788 | 498 | 292 | 206 | 123 | 106 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 13 | NNE 4 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | NE 3 | ESE 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | S 9 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | E 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 12 | ESE 15 | NE 5 | NE 6 | SSW 11 | SE 14 |
57 | 7 | 33 | 34 | 34 | 3 | 34 | 90 | 123 | 63 | 33 | 29 | 23 | 24 | 11 | 13 | 21 | 19 | 13 | 69 | 49 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NE 5 | NNE 4 | S 18 | — | ESE 13 | E 11 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | E 10 | ENE 3 | E 11 | — | ESE 10 | SE 16 | — | ESE 14 | SSE 13 | NE 5 | NE 10 |
— | 10 | 2 | 25 | — | 35 | 2 | 16 | 15 | 33 | 2 | 1 | 22 | — | 11 | 9 | — | 19 | 35 | 3 | 15 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 5 | NNW 4 | WNW 3 | NNW 2 | — | N 4 | NNE 4 | NNE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 4 | NNE 4 | NNE 4 | — | — | NE 5 | — |
62 | 10 | 2 | 1 | — | 7 | 4 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | 32 | 22 | — | — | 6 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 54 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 67 | 0 | 52 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Hawkes Bay | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











