Ballina North Wall Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Righto, grab a coffee and let’s have a proper look at what’s coming up for Ballina North Wall. Honestly, the next couple of weeks are pretty ordinary for a spot that can handle a decent swell. We’ve got a long, quiet stretch ahead, so don’t get your hopes too high just yet.

The water temp is sittin’ around 68°, which is just about average for this time of year, so nothin’ wild there.

We kick off on Sunday the 16th with nothin’ worth paddlin’ for – a 5ft SSE swell with a short 7-second period and a cross-shore breeze at 20 km/h. The wave energy is moderate (309), but the quality is poor. That sets the tone for the first week. Monday the 17th and Tuesday the 18th offer a bit more size, up to 7ft, but the wind stays onshore and choppy, and the swell period is still short. The combined energy climbs into the 400–500 range, but it’s messy.

Wednesday the 19th is the first hint of something better – the swell period jumps to 11 seconds, so you’re getting longer lines and more energy (587). But the wind is still cross or cross-on, and the swell is only 4–5ft. It’s marginal, and the tide could mess with it. Thursday the 20th morning finally gives us a clean window – a light offshore from the SW, 5ft from the ESE with a short 8-second period, and that light cross-offshore breeze should smooth things out. It’s the best look in the first week, but still not a standout.

From Friday the 21st through to Sunday the 30th, it’s mostly small and mediocre. You’ll see mornings with clean conditions, like Saturday the 22nd morning with glassy 3ft waves from the ENE, but the period is short and the energy is low (119). There’s a tiny spike on Wednesday the 26th morning – a clean 5ft from the SSE under a fresh offshore west wind at 20 km/h, with energy at 280. That afternoon, the swell drops but the period lengthens to 14 seconds, and the wind stays offshore – it’s a proper groundswell pulse, glassy and clean. That Wednesday afternoon is the real standout in the whole outlook. The 5ft SSE groundswell with that long 14-second period and offshore wind will deliver clean, lined-up waves at the point – but the size is small enough that it won’t be a circus. Ideal for a solid session with a few mates.

After that, it fades fast. The last few days of August are tiny – 1ft to 1ft – and the energy drops right off. Not worth wettin’ a suit for.

So, to wrap it up: the best on offer is Wednesday the 26th afternoon at Ballina North Wall – 3ft of SSE groundswell, 14-second period, and a light offshore breeze. It’s small but clean, and with that long period, the point will hold shape nicely. Tuesday the 27th morning also looks promising with a 5ft SSE swell and offshore wind, but the period is shorter. Overall, it’s a lean run – don’t expect fireworks, but if you pick your windows, there’s a couple of fun, clean sessions to be had.

Rusty.

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