Surf Forecasts:
West Shore Beach surf forecast from 28 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 2 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 12s period, SE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 2 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 12s period, SE swell with 108 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 2 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 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 Wednesday (Sep 02) at 3PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 9s. 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 0.6m 12s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 4.0m 14s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3PM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for West Shore Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, checking in on West Shore Beach for the next couple of weeks.
Alright folks, I've had a good hard look at the charts and, truth be told, it's a pretty bleak picture for West Shore Beach. This isn't one of those "wait an hour and it'll clean up" situations. We're looking at a 16-day window that's almost entirely a no-go. The swell just isn't showing up with any real energy, and when it does, the wind is all over the shop.
Through the end of August and into the first week of September, you'll be fighting tiny, weak swell. The combined wave energy is laughable, barely scraping into triple digits just once. On Wednesday the 2nd of September, we see the strongest energy of the entire run, hitting 120, but that's still only moderate at best. That afternoon, with glassy conditions and a 2ft swell from the SE, it's considered "surfable" but very ordinary.
Even then, the window between the swell coming in and the wind staying fair is impossibly narrow. For the most part, the wind is cross-onshore or howling offshore, making everything a choppy or blown-out mess. The water is sitting at 54° which is a bit colder than we’d normally expect for this time of year, so you’ll be needing a thicker suit with nothing to show for it.
The only faint glimmer I can see comes right at the very end on Saturday the 12th of September. The afternoon looks promising with fresh offshore wind and a 2ft swell from the SE, giving us a combined energy of 78. It's a slim chance, but it's the closest we get to something clean. Don't hang your hat on it, though.
For a beginner spot that's already inconsistent, with crowds often around, this is a blank run that's pretty normal for the area. The forecast can always change, but right now, there is nothing to recommend. You'd honestly have better luck with a kite if this stretch of water picks up any breeze.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri afternoon, min 10°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Sat night, fresh winds from the W by Sun night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed afternoon, min 4°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | NE 5 | ESE 13 | NE 6 | ESE 12 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | E 10 | E 11 | SE 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
14 | 21 | 23 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 9 | 4 | 14 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 108 | 108 | 67 | 2 | 2 | 8 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross | cross | glassy | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:42PM1.51m | 6:06AM1.44m | 6:28PM1.55m | 6:53AM1.50m | 7:15PM1.60m | 7:39AM1.57m | 8:00PM1.64m | 8:24AM1.63m | 8:47PM1.67m | 9:08AM1.68m | 9:35PM1.67m | 9:54AM1.71m | 10:25PM1.66m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:27AM0.30m | 11:58PM0.28m | 12:12PM0.26m | 00:44AM0.24m | 12:57PM0.23m | 1:30AM0.22m | 1:43PM0.22m | 2:15AM0.21m | 2:32PM0.22m | 3:00AM0.21m | 3:23PM0.23m | 3:47AM0.21m | 4:15PM0.23m | ||||||||
6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | |
— | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 10 | 11 | 7 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 20 | 21 | 15 |
Feels °C | 11 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 12 | 14 | 9 | 18 | 20 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 12 | ENE 5 | SE 11 | NE 5 | SSE 11 | NE 5 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 12 | SSE 15 | SSE 18 | SSE 15 | SSE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SSE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 |
29 | 21 | 32 | 13 | 12 | 6 | 9 | 4 | 14 | 16 | 82 | 85 | 60 | 519 | 199 | 108 | 108 | 67 | 49 | 31 | 30 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 6 | SE 12 | SE 14 | SSE 11 | ESE 13 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SE 12 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | SE 16 | SSE 16 | SSE 16 | S 15 | E 11 | SE 14 |
1 | 37 | 7 | 12 | 16 | 12 | 11 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 24 | 24 | 5 | 2 | 8 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 11 | E 10 | — | ESE 13 | SE 14 | ESE 12 | SE 12 | E 10 | SE 10 | S 18 | — | — | — | — | — | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | — | E 11 |
3 | 2 | — | 17 | 8 | 14 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 5 | N 3 | NE 5 | N 4 | NE 6 | — | — | — | — | SW 2 | — | NNW 2 | — | S 14 | — | — | NNE 9 | — | — | — | — |
14 | 1 | 23 | 9 | 17 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | 6974 | — | — | 8 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 20 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 22 | 23 | 99 | 23 | 42 | 36 | 13 | 243 | 13 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 13 | 15 | 22 | 15 |
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.











