
Surf Forecasts:
West Shore Beach surf forecast from 5 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 9 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 10s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 11 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, SE swell with 1,861 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 6 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 10s period with E swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for West Shore Beach this week:
The surf forecast for West Shore Beach over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 06) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 10s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at West Shore Beach in the next 16 days are 3.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 11) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 5.0m 11s period and expected on Friday (Jul 10) at 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Mon 6th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Thu 9th Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Sat 11th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for West Shore Beach over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Alright, this is Rusty.
Let’s talk about West Shore Beach. The opening part of this run has some real potential if you time it right, but it’s a bit of a mixed bag overall. The first real surfable window we get kicks off on the 5th of July, but it's not for everyone. That Sunday afternoon, we’re looking at a 6ft easterly swell, but it’s a short-period 8 seconds, so it’ll be a bit lumpy and weak, with the combined energy sitting at a moderate 455. The wind is light and onshore from the NE, which isn't ideal, and crowds are likely. The water temperature is sitting at 56°, which is a touch below average for this time of year, nothing too wild.
Honestly, the real standout window starts building on the 7th of July, Tuesday. That morning, the swell drops to a cleaner 4ft from the east with a period of 9 seconds, and the wind goes cross-offshore from the WSW. By the afternoon, it gets even better – we get glassy conditions with a 4ft east swell, and the period stretches to 10 seconds. This is peak shape for this spot. The energy is still moderate at 273, but those clean lines will be there. This is the best call for the intermediate surfer looking for a fun session.
Now, the 8th of July, Wednesday morning, is a serious contender for the best of the whole run. We have a 5ft easterly groundswell with an 11-second period, driving a combined energy of 595, which is into that strong energy range. The wind is offshore from the WSW. This is going to produce some punchy, well-shaped waves. The afternoon holds up too with a 5ft easterly swell and clean sideshore breezes.
The forecast gets a bit tricky from the 10th of July into the weekend. The swell pumps up, hitting 8ft on Friday the 10th and even 8ft on Sunday the 12th, with energy readings soaring into the 1000s (1326 on Friday morning, 1622 on Sunday afternoon). That's powerful stuff. However, the data flags these days as being too big for this break. For a beginner spot, that’s a warning. The 8ft+ range is strictly for experts, and with a strong cross-offshore wind, this setup actually looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. A word to the wise.
The longer-range outlook, from about the 15th of July onward, fades quickly. We see smaller, weaker swells (2ft to 3ft) with poor onshore winds or light cross-onshore breezes. The 17th of July and beyond is pretty much a write-off, with weak westerly swells of 1.0ft to 2ft and mostly onshore winds. The combined energy drops below 100, which is weak. It’s a few days of flat and messy conditions.
So, to wrap it up: your best bet is Tuesday the 7th through to Wednesday the 8th of July for the cleanest, most fun waves that won't be too intimidating. After that, it gets big and unruly, then fades into a quiet, poor spell. Keep an eye on that early week window.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Mon night. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun afternoon, min 7°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 26mm), heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 13°C on Wed afternoon, min 9°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed afternoon, fresh winds from the SSW by Fri afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sun 5 | Monday 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | E 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | SE 10 | ESE 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
306 | 154 | 106 | 164 | 257 | 244 | 273 | 530 | 595 | 495 | 349 | 234 | 388 | 792 | 1326 | 1031 | 831 | 999 | 809 | 1745 | 562 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 9:39PM1.55m | 10:00AM1.48m | 10:25PM1.56m | 10:43AM1.51m | 11:11PM1.58m | 11:29AM1.55m | 11:59PM1.61m | 12:21PM1.61m | 00:49AM1.65m | 1:17PM1.68m | 1:44AM1.68m | 2:14PM1.75m | 2:41AM1.71m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:22PM0.33m | 3:57AM0.29m | 4:09PM0.33m | 4:41AM0.29m | 4:56PM0.33m | 5:27AM0.29m | 5:44PM0.33m | 6:13AM0.29m | 6:37PM0.34m | 7:02AM0.28m | 7:34PM0.32m | 7:55AM0.27m | 8:34PM0.28m | 8:53AM0.24m | |||||||
— | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | |
5:00 | — | — | 5:00 | — | — | 5:01 | — | — | 5:01 | — | — | 5:02 | — | — | 5:04 | — | — | 5:04 | — | 5:05 | |
mm | — | — | 1 | 3 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 11 | 3 | 6 | 5 | — | 2 | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 |
Feels °C | 12 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 5 | 8 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 11 | E 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 |
149 | 154 | 106 | 164 | 257 | 244 | 273 | 530 | 595 | 495 | 349 | 234 | 388 | 792 | 1326 | 1031 | 831 | 999 | 809 | 578 | 562 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 17 | S 15 | S 22 | S 20 | S 19 | — | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | SSE 8 | S 8 | SSW 12 | SSE 7 | S 16 | — | — | — | — | S 21 | S 20 | S 20 | S 19 |
6 | 5 | 9 | 8 | 7 | — | 32 | 28 | 62 | 55 | 15 | 70 | 20 | — | — | — | — | 35 | 8 | 8 | 7 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SSW 18 | S 17 | S 16 | S 16 | S 8 | SSE 7 | S 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | 62 | 23 | 21 | 19 | 31 | 29 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 7 | S 8 | SE 8 | SE 10 | SSE 11 | SSW 4 | SW 4 | SW 4 | SE 10 | SE 10 | — |
306 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 108 | 491 | 31 | 614 | 5581 | 13 | 11 | 6 | 2290 | 1745 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 23 | 2 | 2 | 13 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 167 | 209 | 208 | 225 | 175 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Hawkes Bay | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the West Shore Beach Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for West Shore Beach provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at West Shore Beach can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our West Shore 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 (West Shore 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 West Shore 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.
West Shore Beach is 9 km (6 miles) from the city of Napier. If you plan a holiday in Hawkes Bay, look for hotels and other accommodation in Napier. Napier has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











