
Surf Forecasts:
West Shore Beach surf forecast from 9 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 15 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 10s period, E swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 11s period, E swell with 317 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 11 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 12s period with SE 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 Tuesday (Aug 11) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at West Shore Beach in the next 16 days are 1.2m 11s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 8s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 15) at 9PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Tue 11th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Sat 15th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for West Shore Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down what West Shore Beach has in store for the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, the start is a bust. From now through the first week, there’s nothing worth suiting up for. Sunday the 9th and Monday the 10th are flat and messy – cross-onshore wind and tiny, weak waves. Tuesday morning the 11th shows a little bump of 0.6m from the SE with offshore wind, but the combined energy is only 112 – real weak. You might find a knee-high ripple, but don’t get your hopes up.
Wednesday morning the 12th gives us a glassy moment with 0.8m from the ESE and energy of 135. Clean, but still tiny. Then the onshores come back, and Thursday through Saturday the 13th to 15th is a washout with rain and onshore wind.
There’s a long gap of several days with no real recommendation. Things perk up a little on Saturday the 15th afternoon – moderate offshore wind from the SW, 1.0m swell from the east, 10-second period, and combined energy of 212. It’s clean and rideable, but nothing special.
Sunday the 16th and Monday the 17th stay small and clean with offshore wind – 0.5m to 0.6m – weak but workable. Tuesday the 18th drops off to nothing.
Now, here’s the real deal. Wednesday the 19th through Saturday the 22nd is where it gets good. Wednesday morning the 19th brings 1.3m of SE swell with a 12-second period, combined energy of 479, and clean offshore wind. By Wednesday afternoon it’s 1.5m from the SE, 13-second period, and a combined energy of 700 – strong, clean surf with a gentle cross-offshore breeze. That’s the best stretch. Thursday the 20th morning holds 1.5m from the SE, 11-second period, energy of 515, and light offshore wind. Clean, punchy, and well-shaped for the beach.
After that, Friday the 21st and Saturday the 22nd mornings are glassy with 1.0m to1.1m from the ESE, 12-second periods, and energy in the 200 to300 range. Clean and fun, but not as powerful.
Sunday the 23rd and Monday the24th mornings stay clean with glassy or cross-offshore conditions,0.7m to1.0m from the ESE, periods of 11 to13 seconds. Still decent, but the energy drops off.
Water temp is 12°C with a -2° anomaly – that’s a bit colder than normal, so bring the thick rubber.
Crowds at West Shore Beach are listed as "often" busy, so expect company when it’s good. The break is fairly consistent and exposed to east and southeast swells, which lines up with the best waves we see.
For beginners, the 1.5m days are pushing it – stick to the1.0m to1.3m mornings with offshore or glassy wind.
Bottom line: skip the first week. The real action starts Wednesday the 19th and runs through Saturday the22nd. That’s your window.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun afternoon, min 8°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 26mm), heaviest during Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 14°C on Fri morning, min 8°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 9 | E 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | SE 10 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
57 | 37 | 13 | 3 | 6 | 54 | 112 | 103 | 87 | 117 | 120 | 98 | 93 | 66 | 274 | 89 | 97 | 104 | 233 | 212 | 87 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-on | glassy | on | on | on | on | on | cross | cross | off | off |
High Tide | 1:55PM1.75m | 2:24AM1.66m | 2:54PM1.79m | 3:24AM1.67m | 3:52PM1.82m | 4:23AM1.68m | 4:51PM1.84m | 5:21AM1.69m | 5:49PM1.85m | 6:19AM1.70m | 6:44PM1.85m | 7:14AM1.71m | 7:36PM1.82m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:17PM0.22m | 8:36AM0.20m | 9:16PM0.17m | 9:38AM0.14m | 10:15PM0.13m | 10:38AM0.08m | 11:13PM0.09m | 11:34AM0.04m | 00:11AM0.07m | 12:27PM0.03m | 1:06AM0.07m | 1:19PM0.06m | 1:57AM0.09m | ||||||||
7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | |
— | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | — | 11 | 7 | 1 | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 8 |
Feels °C | 12 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 2 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 11 | SE 10 | NE 5 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | SE 8 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 |
57 | 37 | 10 | 25 | 24 | 54 | 112 | 103 | 87 | 117 | 120 | 39 | 34 | 17 | 92 | 89 | 97 | 104 | 233 | 212 | 87 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 14 | SE 13 | SSE 12 | ENE 4 | SE 12 | SE 9 | — | S 18 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | S 16 | SE 10 | ESE 9 | SE 13 | SE 8 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 | E 12 | S 18 | SSE 10 |
20 | 46 | 14 | 2 | 6 | 21 | — | 6 | 109 | 38 | 5 | 98 | 52 | 7 | 16 | 4 | 4 | 14 | 178 | 6 | 38 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 13 | E 12 | SE 9 | E 12 | NE 5 | E 12 | S 17 | S 17 | S 14 | E 11 | — | NE 10 | E 14 | SE 9 | SE 13 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | S 16 | S 14 | S 17 |
3 | 3 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 23 | 23 | 16 | 2 | — | 4 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 6 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 3 | NE 4 | NNW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | NE 6 | NE 4 | ENE 5 | NE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | — | — | SW 2 | SSW 6 | S 8 | S 8 |
2 | 16 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 16 | 29 | 55 | 93 | 66 | 274 | — | — | 1 | 40 | 11 | 443 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 20 | 13 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 2 | 4 | 37 | 20 | 2 | 46 | 2 | 20 | 46 | 23 | 46 | 13 | 4 | 4 | 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.











