South Shields Surf Break

Lat Long: 55.00° N 1.41° W

South Shields Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 6 pm 16 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's South Shields sea temperature is
15.4° C
1.3° 

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


South Shields surf forecast from 16 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 19 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 9s period, NNE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 10s period, NNE swell with 887 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 9s period with NNE swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for South Shields this week:

The surf forecast for South Shields over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 9s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at South Shields in the next 16 days are 2.2m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 2s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Sun 19th Jul)6ft (1.8m) 9s
Best Surf10PM (Sun 19th Jul)6ft (1.8m) 9s
Most Powerful10AM (Sun 19th Jul)7ft (2.2m) 10s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for the next couple of weeks.

Honestly, this is a tough one. The next 16 days are looking pretty flat and messy for the most part. We’re not talkin’ about a few quiet days; we’re lookin’ at a real long stretch of poor conditions. From the start of the period right through to the end of July, it’s a proper struggle to find anything worth paddling out for. The first real glimmer of hope doesn’t show up until the very end of the forecast.

The only break on the cards is South Shields, and to be blunt, it’s a beginner’s spot that’s inconsistent and rarely breaks well. The water’s a touch warmer than normal for this time of year at 60°.

We kick off on Thursday 16th July with a tiny 1.3ft swell from the NE, but with a light breeze and a combined energy of just 9, it’s basically a lake. The next few days are just a write-off. Friday the 17th brings a bit of wind and a 3.3ft swell, but it’s cross-onshore and choppy – straight-up poor. Saturday the 18th sees a bigger 5.9ft swell from the NNE, but again, it’s cross-onshore and messy. The energy picks up to 312, but with the wind howling, it’s no good for a paddle.

The highlight of the whole 16 days, if you can call it that, is looking like Tuesday 21st July. The swell is only 2.6ft to 3.0ft from the NE, but it’s glassy. Absolute flat calm. The combined energy is weak, around 74 to 77, so these are tiny, clean little waves. For a beginner or someone with a longboard, this might be your only window for a fun, if small, session. The crowds are sometimes a problem here, but with surf this small, it might be quiet.

After that, it’s back to the doldrums. Wednesday the 22nd and Thursday the 23rd are just poor and tiny again. There’s a brief moment on the 23rd morning with glassy conditions and a 3.3ft swell, but it’s still a weak 93 energy. You’d be scratching for any ride.

The rest of the week into August is just a flat, windy mess. The wind often goes offshore or cross-off, which is nice, but the swell is gone – we’re talking 0.3ft and 0.7ft swells with energy in the single digits. Not a wave to be had.

The final chance, and it’s a long shot, is Friday 31st July. The morning brings a 4.3ft NNE swell with clean conditions and a light breeze. The energy is 181, which is a moderate pulse. The direction is okay, but the period is a short 7 seconds. It’s still surfable, but it’s nothing special. By the afternoon, the wind swings onshore and chops it up again.

So, to wrap it up: the best on offer is a tiny, glassy day on Tuesday 21st July. Look for a longboard and enjoy the clean, small waves. After that, it’s a long wait for a slightly punchier, but still ordinary, morning on the 31st of July. Don’t expect much else. This is a pretty normal blank run for this area.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu afternoon, min 10°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Wed morning. Warm (max 21°C on Tue afternoon, min 13°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Thu
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
0
0
0
1
1
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)
0.4
NE
6
0.3
NNE
5
0.6
N
4
1
N
5
0.9
NNE
6
1.8
NNE
7
1.7
NNE
7
2.2
NNE
9
2.2
NNE
10
2
NNE
10
1.7
NNE
9
1.3
NNE
8
1.1
NNE
8
1
NNE
7
0.8
NNE
7
0.9
NE
7
0.9
NE
8
0.7
NNE
7
0.9
NNE
7
1.4
NNE
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
8
6
10
49
57
312
305
730
887
747
469
207
142
104
68
71
88
42
78
245
Wind (km/h)
10
NE
10
NNW
20
N
20
N
10
NNW
25
N
20
N
20
NNW
15
N
15
ENE
10
S
15
NNE
20
N
15
NW
5
NE
5
SE
20
WNW
10
N
20
N
20
NNW
Wind State
on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-off
on
cross-on
cross
glassy
glassy
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
5:54PM5.01m
6:02AM5.28m
6:41PM4.91m
6:48AM5.21m
7:28PM4.72m
7:34AM5.04m
8:15PM4.49m
8:21AM4.79m
9:04PM4.24m
9:11AM4.50m
9:56PM4.01m
10:07AM4.20m
10:54PM3.86m
Low Tide
00:04AM0.93m
12:34PM0.33m
00:48AM1.03m
1:20PM0.48m
1:31AM1.20m
2:05PM0.72m
2:14AM1.41m
2:51PM1.03m
2:59AM1.64m
3:40PM1.36m
3:51AM1.85m
4:35PM1.65m
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
light rain
cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
4:48
4:50
4:50
4:52
4:54
4:56
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
9:34
9:32
9:31
9:30
9:29
9:28
9:25
 mm
1
Temp °C
15
13
15
15
13
13
14
12
15
16
16
15
15
14
20
21
19
16
15
13
Feels °C
14
12
11
12
11
8
10
8
10
12
13
12
11
12
18
20
17
14
11
10
  • Map Icons:
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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 South Shields Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for South Shields provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at South Shields can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our South Shields 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 Shields) 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 Shields 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.

South Shields is 2 km (1 miles) from the city of Tynemouth. If you plan a holiday in North East England, look for hotels and other accommodation in Tynemouth. Tynemouth has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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