Surf Forecasts:
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, 1PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 10s period, NNE swell with 942 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 1PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Sun 19th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Sun 19th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (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 be straight with you. Looking at the charts for the next 16 days, it's a pretty grim stretch for a paddle. We're looking at a long, long run of flat to weak, messy conditions before we even see a hint of something rideable, and even then, it's a struggle.
We’ve got a solid two-week gap of nothing worthwhile. From now (Thursday, July 16th) all the way through to the end of July, the swell is tiny, the wind is mostly onshore or cross-shore, and the wave comment is consistently "poor surf conditions." The combined energy is low, barely cracking 15 at its best in the first week.
The only period that has any size at all is the weekend of the 18th and 19th of July. Saturday the 18th sees a jump in the swell to 6ft from the NNE, with a combined energy hitting 321 (moderate). But that’s paired with a cross-onshore breeze, making it choppy and messy. The swell period is a short 7 seconds, so it’s weak, crumbly, and not much fun.
Sunday the 19th is the biggest and best of a bad lot. The swell hits 7ft from the NNE with a period of 10 seconds, giving a combined energy of 869 (strong to very strong). The wind is still cross-onshore, but lighter. This is a lot of water. At 7ft, this is expert territory only. The break is a beach, and with a long-period swell like that (10 seconds is decent), it’s going to close out and be a washing machine. The water is a touch warmer than normal at 60°, but that won't save you from the beatdown.
After that, it drops back to nothing. Tuesday the 21st of July has a glassy morning, but the swell is only 2ft, and the energy is a paltry 53. It’s flat.
So, there are no standouts. No day to recommend. If you’re a beginner, stay away from the 19th. If you’re an expert, the 19th might offer a few big, ugly walls, but it’s not a good bet. Honestly, for this stretch, the conditions look more interesting for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer on the bigger days, as the cross-onshore wind and choppy waves would at least give them some power.
This is a blank run for the area. Forecasts can change, but right now, don't waste your gas.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu morning, min 10°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue morning, min 13°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NNE 6 | NE 6 | NNE 5 | N 4 | NNE 5 | NNE 6 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 9 | NNE 10 | NNE 10 | NNE 9 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NE 8 | NE 7 | NNE 5 | N 5 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 14 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 38 | 57 | 321 | 314 | 764 | 869 | 815 | 459 | 207 | 107 | 70 | 44 | 29 | 51 | 23 | 47 | 14 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | on | on | glassy |
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 | 11:48AM0.31m | 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 | ||||||||
 | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | |  | |  | | | | | |
 | 4:47 | — | — | 4:48 | — | — | 4:50 | — | — | 4:50 | — | — | 4:52 | — | — | 4:54 | — | — | 4:56 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:34 | — | — | 9:32 | — | — | 9:31 | — | — | 9:30 | — | — | 9:29 | — | — | 9:28 | — | — | 9:25 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 14 |
Feels °C | 14 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 6 | NE 6 | — | — | — | NNE 6 | — | — | NNE 9 | NNE 10 | NNE 10 | NNE 9 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NE 8 | NE 7 | N 7 | N 5 |
| kJ | 14 | 8 | — | — | — | 57 | — | — | 575 | 869 | 815 | 459 | 207 | 107 | 70 | 44 | 29 | 51 | 23 | 10 | 14 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 4 | E 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 8 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | — | E 4 |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 16 | 14 | 9 | 6 | 14 | 12 | 5 | — | 5 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 6 | — | — | — | — | N 8 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | 4 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ENE 4 | NNE 5 | N 4 | NNE 5 | — | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 3 | NNE 5 | — |
| kJ | — | 1 | 10 | 10 | 38 | — | 321 | 314 | 764 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 47 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 491 | 383 | 448 | 448 | 3 | 146 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 500 | 2 | 129 | 608 | 0 | 877 | 383 | 378 | |
Best forecast wave conditions in North East England | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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