Surf Forecasts:
West Shore Beach surf forecast from 22 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 0.5ft (0.2m), 13s period, ESE swell with 18 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 0.2m 13s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 9s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 0.5ft (0.2m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for West Shore Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk about what we've got on the cards for West Shore Beach over the next couple of weeks. I'm looking straight at the data, and I gotta tell ya, it's a tough stretch.
For the entire 16-day window, there’s barely a ripple worth getting wet for. The first recommendation doesn't show up until Friday, September 4th, which means we’ve got a solid two-week gap of flat or near-flat conditions. The whole run is plagued by tiny swell—mostly ankle-snappers around 0.7ft to 1ft. The combined energy is weak, barely scraping into the double digits (8 to 58) most days, and even when it does pop a little, it’s nothing to write home about.
Friday, September 4th morning is the only time that even flirts with being surfable. We see a tiny pulse of 2ft swell from the SE at 9 seconds. The combined energy is still pretty weak (49), but we get a moment of glassy conditions with a light offshore breeze from the WNW. The water is running a bit colder than normal for this time of year at 53°, which is noticeable. The wave comment says it's "surfable but very ordinary," and I’d describe it as a longboard or maybe a foamy session if you're desperate to paddle. The break itself is exposed to NE swell, but our tiny energy is coming from the SE, so direction isn't doing us any favors. This break is rated for beginners and is fairly consistent, but this is a blank period for sure.
Saturday, September 5th afternoon offers a similar story. Another 2ft pulse, this time from the NNE at a short 7 seconds, with a combined energy of 58. The wind goes light offshore from the SW, which will clean it up, making it another marginal option.
The problem is this area is exposed to the swell, but none of the energy is lining up. The setup is a beach break, and with these tiny, weak swells, it’s less about surfing and more about sitting in the water. It's not a great run for the paddle crew, but if I had to pick a window, the glassy morning of Friday, September 4th, is the absolute best on offer, and it’s still a tough sell. For the kites, any moderate cross-onshore wind day (like the 23rd or 28th) would actually look more interesting than this tiny surf. Keep an eye on the charts, because it can't stay this poor forever, but for now, leave the board at home.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun afternoon, min 8°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ENE 3 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | E 10 | SE 15 | SE 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
8 | 8 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 1 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 2 | 8 | 8 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 1:01PM1.56m | 1:17AM1.49m | 1:51PM1.52m | 2:05AM1.43m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:15PM0.45m | 7:30AM0.44m | 8:05PM0.46m | 8:18AM0.44m | 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 | ||||||||
6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | |
— | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 16 | 14 | 17 | 19 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 18 | 18 | 14 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 13 | 19 | 21 | 14 |
Feels °C | 11 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 15 | 6 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 9 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | SSE 11 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | NE 4 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | SSE 16 | SSE 17 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | SSE 18 | SSE 17 | SE 17 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SE 12 |
8 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 5 | 16 | 16 | 47 | 29 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 60 | 59 | 77 | 14 | 29 | 35 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 11 | ESE 9 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | ESE 13 | NE 4 | S 9 | ESE 13 | ENE 3 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | SSE 11 | SE 10 | S 9 | S 18 | SSE 4 | SE 4 | E 10 | SSE 17 | S 16 | SE 14 |
13 | 8 | 12 | 10 | 17 | 1 | 7 | 17 | 1 | 17 | 16 | 11 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 27 | 5 | 8 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 14 | — | — | SE 10 | SE 9 | — | SE 6 | SSE 7 | NE 4 | NE 5 | — | S 18 | S 18 | — | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | E 10 | SE 15 | — |
— | 4 | — | — | 4 | 3 | — | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | — | 7 | 6 | — | 13 | 12 | 12 | 2 | 8 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NNE 4 | NW 3 | NW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 4 |
— | — | — | 10 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 15 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 13 | 92 | 6 | 15 | 15 | 20 |
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.











