Surf Forecasts:
West Shore Beach surf forecast from 31 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 1 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 7s period, SE swell with 24 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 0.5m 7s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 15s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Tue 1st Sep) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for West Shore Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey folks, Rusty here. I’ve taken a good look at what’s coming, and I’ll be honest – there’s a whole lot of flat water ahead. The first real chance for a wave doesn’t show up until September 11th, so we’ve got a solid stretch of nearly two weeks of nothing. After that, it’s a brief, average window before it goes quiet again.
From August 31st right through to September 10th, West Shore Beach is flat. Tiny waves, 0.3ft to 1.0ft, with the odd gust of wind, but no swell to work with. The combined swell energy is a measly 2 to 7 (weak) for most of it. On September 4th, there’s a 1ft bump from the NNE, but with a period of just 4 seconds, it’s a messy, weak chop. The water is 54°, which is a bit colder than usual for this time of year. It’s a dead zone.
Then, on September 11th, we get a pulse. The morning shows 4ft from the SE with a 10-second period and glassy conditions. The combined swell energy hits 230 (moderate), which is real energy. The wind is light and glassy – that’s a huge plus for clean waves. This is the best of the forecast. The afternoon holds the same 4ft swell, but the wind goes cross-shore and gets a bit messy, so the morning is the call.
September 12th brings 3ft to 3ft from the ESE, with a 9-second period. The combined energy is 151 to 284 (moderate). The morning has a cross-shore breeze, but the afternoon cleans up with a cross-off wind. September 13th drops to 2ft to 3ft from the ESE, with energy dropping to 94 and 65 (weak to low-moderate). It’s surfable, but nothing special. After that, September 14th and 15th fade back to tiny 0.3ft to 1ft slop.
The one true standout is the morning of September 11th. West Shore Beach is the only break we’ve got, and it’s a beach break exposed to the swell, but the optimal swell direction is NE and we’re getting SE, so it’s not a perfect angle. Still, with 4ft, glassy wind, and a 10-second period, it’ll be the best you’ll see. The water is a bit cooler than average, but the clean conditions will make it worthwhile. Expect crowds, as this spot is often busy.
That’s the word. Don’t bother before the 11th, and make the morning session.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed afternoon, min 6°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Mon night, light winds from the NNW by Tue afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Thu afternoon, min 7°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | ||||||||||||||
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 9 | E 8 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | NE 9 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | NNE 4 | NW 4 | E 10 | E 10 | SE 10 | NE 4 | ENE 4 | NNE 3 | NE 5 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
7 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 14 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 22 | 4 | 6 | 6 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:00PM1.64m | 8:24AM1.63m | 8:47PM1.67m | 9:08AM1.68m | 9:35PM1.67m | 9:54AM1.71m | 10:25PM1.66m | 10:45AM1.72m | 11:17PM1.65m | 11:41AM1.72m | 00:12AM1.63m | 12:41PM1.71m | 1:10AM1.61m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:15AM0.21m | 2:32PM0.22m | 3:00AM0.21m | 3:23PM0.23m | 3:47AM0.21m | 4:15PM0.23m | 4:37AM0.22m | 5:08PM0.23m | 5:29AM0.21m | 6:04PM0.21m | 6:24AM0.19m | 7:03PM0.19m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | |
5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:53 | — | |
mm | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 12 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 17 | 19 | 14 | 19 | 21 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 10 | 14 | 16 | 12 |
Feels °C | 10 | 3 | 5 | 9 | 6 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 17 | 18 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 8 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 12 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 13 | SSE 14 | SSE 17 | SSE 18 | SSE 18 | SSE 16 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SE 10 | NNE 4 | NE 5 | S 11 | SE 10 | ENE 4 | ENE 4 | SE 9 | NE 5 |
7 | 8 | 108 | 183 | 258 | 180 | 207 | 94 | 29 | 13 | 11 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 6 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 17 | SSE 15 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | — | — | — | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 5 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | E 10 | ENE 7 |
29 | 21 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 5 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 11 | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | — | E 10 | SE 9 | S 8 | — | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | S 18 | SSW 10 |
11 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | 3 | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 10 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 3 | WSW 3 | SW 2 | — | — | — | NE 9 | — | — | — | N 4 | NNE 4 | NW 4 | — | — | — | NE 4 | — | NNE 3 | NNW 3 |
2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 14 | — | — | — | 1 | 7 | 6 | — | — | — | 22 | — | 6 | 2 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 15 | 54 | 6 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 6 | 13 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 36 | 141 | 98 | 96 | 29 | 91 | 128 | 36 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Hawkes Bay | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.











