
Surf Forecasts:
West Shore Beach surf forecast from 9 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 15 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 9s period, E swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 9AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 12s period, SE swell with 414 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 10 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 13s 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 Monday (Aug 10) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.3m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at West Shore Beach in the next 16 days are 1.2m 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 9AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 9s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (NZST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Mon 10th Aug) | 1ft (0.3m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 9AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for West Shore Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let me tell you the story of the next couple of weeks here at West Shore Beach. It’s a quiet run, mostly, but there is a little window that lights up if you’re patient. This is a beginner-friendly, fairly consistent beach break, so don't expect any world-class barrels, but when it's clean, it's a fun little zone.
Right now, through Wednesday, August 13th, the surf is pretty much a no-go. We're looking at tiny, weak, short-period lumps mixed with onshore or cross-off winds. The water temp is sitting at a chilly 53°F, which is about 3°F colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll want a decent wetsuit. The overall energy is weak (50) today, and it barely gets into the 'moderate' range until late in the first week.
The first hint of something surfable comes on Thursday the 13th, but it's marginal at best. We've got a 5ft swell from the East with a short period of 8 seconds, and the wind is light onshore. The energy is picking up (357), but the conditions are just "questionable." The wind is just not playing nice.
Now, here is where it gets interesting. Mark your calendars for Saturday, August 15th. That's the standout. We’ve got a 4ft East swell, period at 10 seconds, and the wind is glassy – dead calm. The wave energy is solid at 274, and the conditions are looking clean. This is the best on offer for the whole run. The swell direction (E) isn't the absolute optimum for the spot (which is NE), but with that glassy wind, the waves will be clean and user-friendly, perfect for the beginner crowd this spot is known for. Sunday the 16th looks clean too, with a 4ft SE groundswell (12 sec period) and a moderate offshore wind, though the energy is higher at 470. The long period means it might stand up a bit better, but it's still an exposed beach, so don't expect perfection.
After that, things taper off into the second week. Monday the 17th through Wednesday the 19th still offer some clean, ridable 4ft to 2ft waves with offshore winds, but the energy drops off (from 274 down to 78). The 20th onwards is a real slide into nothingness. Swells shrink to 2ft and below, periods get short, and the combination of weak energy (single digits to low 100s) and cross-shore winds means we're back to flat, choppy conditions. There's a brief glimmer of glassy conditions on Sunday the 23rd, but the swell is a tiny 1ft, so it’s essentially flat.
To be honest, the 16-day window doesn’t offer much for an experienced crew. If you’re a new surfer, the 15th of August is your day. It’s a one-hit wonder in a long, quiet stretch. It's a blank spell for the most part, but that Saturday morning glass-off will be worth the wait.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon morning, min 8°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 45mm), heaviest during Fri night. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat morning, min 10°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed night, fresh winds from the ENE by Fri morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | ||||||||||||||
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 10 | SE 9 | E 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | NE 6 | SE 11 | SE 9 | SE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | E 8 | NE 6 | E 7 | E 8 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 12 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
37 | 13 | 3 | 6 | 54 | 1 | 99 | 43 | 42 | 76 | 73 | 112 | 222 | 80 | 106 | 117 | 214 | 271 | 212 | 132 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross | glassy | glassy | off |
High Tide | 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 | |||||||
— | — | 7:05 | — | — | 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 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 5 | 9 | 2 | 28 | — | 2 | 3 |
Temp °C | 15 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 |
Feels °C | 12 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 4 | ENE 5 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 9 | SE 8 | E 13 | ENE 5 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 6 | E 7 | E 8 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | SSE 12 |
13 | 9 | 25 | 24 | 54 | 137 | 99 | 43 | 42 | 3 | 36 | 112 | 104 | 64 | 106 | 117 | 214 | 271 | 212 | 417 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | SSE 12 | NE 5 | SE 12 | SE 9 | S 19 | S 18 | SE 5 | S 11 | S 11 | ESE 9 | SE 14 | ESE 10 | ESE 8 | SE 14 | ESE 14 | SSE 9 | SE 8 | SSE 9 | E 12 |
37 | 14 | 1 | 6 | 13 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 59 | 59 | 73 | 7 | 11 | 28 | 8 | 20 | 7 | 3 | 75 | 132 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 13 | SE 9 | E 12 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 6 | S 17 | E 6 | E 11 | SE 8 | SE 10 | SSE 10 | ESE 10 | SE 13 | SE 10 | SSE 9 | S 15 | S 16 | — | — |
46 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 24 | 1 | 2 | 18 | 4 | 19 | 20 | 7 | 4 | 15 | 5 | 5 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 7 | ENE 5 | — | E 8 | NE 6 | — | — | — | SW 2 | SSW 4 | SW 4 |
— | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 76 | 40 | — | 222 | 80 | — | — | — | 2 | 36 | 14 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 13 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 2 | 6 | 42 | 4 | 20 | 92 | 2 | 13 | 92 | 20 | 165 | 20 | 165 | 2 | 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.











