Surf Forecasts:
West Shore Beach surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 5s period, NE swell with 49 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for West Shore Beach this week:
The most powerful waves expected at West Shore Beach in the next 16 days are 0.9m 5s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 19s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 5s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for West Shore Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let’s talk about the local surf outlook for West Shore Beach. I’ve been staring at the charts and, honestly, it’s a rough stretch. We’ve got a solid 16-day window, but the first week is a write-off. The swell is tiny, barely registering, with a combined energy climbing from a weak 16 up to a modest 44 at best, but mostly sitting in the low teens. The water temperature is sitting at 53°F which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll be wanting a thicker wetsuit.
From now through the end of August, don’t bother. The waves are tiny, 0.7ft to 2ft, and the periods are all over the place, from a short 4 seconds to a long 13 seconds, but it doesn’t matter because the size isn’t there. The wind is variable, but the conditions are described as "poor." There’s a brief moment on Tuesday afternoon, the 25th of August, with glassy conditions, but the swell is still 0.7ft. It’s a tease.
The gap of poor, surfable waves drags on through the first week of September. The first real sign of life pops up on Tuesday afternoon, the 1st of September. We get a 2ft swell from the SE with a 9-second period, combined energy of 74 (moderate), and glassy conditions. It’s surfable, but it’s very ordinary. The break is a beginner spot, "fairly consistent," but the optimum swell direction is NE, and we’re getting SE, so it’s a bit of a mismatch. The crowds are "often" here, so don’t expect to have it to yourself.
The rest of the first week of September is a mixed bag of poor conditions and tiny swells, with the occasional cleaner but small window. The second week, from the 7th to the 8th, the energy drops to a pathetic 3, and the swell is 0.3ft. It’s a complete flat spell.
So, the standout? There’s really only one. The Tuesday afternoon, the 1st of September, at West Shore Beach. It’s the only window where you’ll get a wave you can actually ride, with glassy, clean conditions. The 2ft swell is small, but it’s the best we’ve got. The wind is light and glassy, which is a major positive. The crowds are likely, and the swell direction is not ideal, but it’s the only show in town.
Honestly, for the rest of the 16 days, it’s a bikini-and-beer day, not a paddle-out day. The surf is too small and too inconsistent. For a beginner spot, this is a normal dry spell. It’s not going to stay poor forever, but the forecast is what it is.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed afternoon, min 10°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu morning, min 8°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | NE 4 | SE 17 | E 12 | NE 4 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ESE 12 | SE 11 | SE 10 | ESE 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 18 | 11 | 3 | 19 | 32 | 22 | 14 | 18 | 16 | 14 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross |
High Tide | 2:38PM1.50m | 2:53AM1.38m | 3:23PM1.47m | 3:41AM1.36m | 4:08PM1.47m | 4:28AM1.36m | 4:54PM1.48m | 5:17AM1.39m | 5:42PM1.51m | 6:06AM1.44m | 6:28PM1.55m | 6:53AM1.50m | 7:15PM1.60m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:52PM0.45m | 9:06AM0.42m | 9:38PM0.41m | 9:55AM0.39m | 10:24PM0.37m | 10:43AM0.34m | 11:10PM0.32m | 11:27AM0.30m | 11:58PM0.28m | 12:12PM0.26m | 00:44AM0.24m | 12:57PM0.23m | 1:30AM0.22m | ||||||||
6:48 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | |
— | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 16 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 12 |
Feels °C | 11 | 12 | 9 | 15 | 15 | 7 | 14 | 16 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | SSE 19 | SSE 18 | ENE 4 | SSE 13 | ENE 4 | SE 12 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | E 5 | SE 11 | SE 10 | ENE 6 |
16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 69 | 128 | 7 | 16 | 3 | 36 | 32 | 22 | 5 | 18 | 16 | 3 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 15 | SE 7 | NE 4 | SE 12 | S 10 | S 19 | S 18 | S 18 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SSE 18 | SE 17 | SSE 12 | SE 14 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SSE 11 | E 6 | E 6 | ESE 12 |
— | 18 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 13 | 12 | 60 | 11 | 30 | 7 | 31 | 32 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 14 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | SE 4 | — | SE 7 | NE 5 | S 19 | S 9 | S 8 | E 8 | — | — | E 10 | E 10 | E 12 | — | SE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | E 8 | E 8 | SE 10 |
2 | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 2 | 2 | 3 | — | 7 | 17 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 4 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 4 | NE 4 | N 2 | NE 4 | N 3 | — | SE 3 | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 18 | 4 | 1 | 19 | 5 | — | 1 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 13 | 117 | 13 | 23 | 23 | 37 | 4 | 15 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 23 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Hawkes Bay | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











