Surf Forecasts:
Broken Head surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 11s period, SSE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 30 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 10s period, SSE swell with 637 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 7s period with SSE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Broken Head this week:
The surf forecast for Broken Head over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 6s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Broken Head in the next 16 days are 1.8m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 30) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 7s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Broken Head over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. This outlook is for the one spot we’ve got on the radar: Broken Head. It’s a point break, good for beginners, and it’s fairly consistent, but it’s exposed to the swell and the crowds can be a factor sometimes. The water temp is sitting around 69°F right now, which is about average for this time of year—nothing unusual there.
We’re kicking off on Wednesday the 26th of August, but honestly, don’t get too keen just yet. That afternoon sees a 4ft ENE swell at a short 7 seconds, and the wind is onshore from the NE at 9 mph. The combined energy is weak (182), and the conditions are poor. Not worth a paddle.
Thursday the 27th is a bit of a mixed bag. Morning brings a 5ft SSE swell, period still short at 7 seconds, with a cross-off breeze from the south at 12 mph. Combined energy is moderate (357), but the forecast calls it marginal—questionable tide. Afternoon is similar, 5ft SSE, 7 seconds, cross-off wind, energy at 303. Still nothing to get excited about.
Friday the 28th of August is where it picks up a touch. Morning sees a cleaner window: 4ft SSE swell, period stretching to 9 seconds, light cross-off wind from the SSW at 6 mph. Combined energy is moderate (330), and the report says expect good surf. It’s a solid, clean beginner wave, but not a standout. Afternoon drops right off—2ft, onshore, choppy.
Saturday the 29th morning is another decent one. 4ft SSE swell, 10-second period, light cross-off wind from the SSW at 6 mph. Energy is 344, good surf conditions. Afternoon gets windier with S winds at 12 mph and the same swell, but it’s cross-off, just marginal.
Sunday the 30th morning brings a bigger pulse: 6ft SSE swell, 10 seconds, moderate cross-off wind from the south at 12 mph. Combined energy jumps to strong (663). It’s a bit much for beginners at over 5ft, but for the rest of ya, it’s clean and has some punch. Afternoon holds at 5ft, energy 548, still cross-off. This is the best morning of the first week.
Monday the 31st morning is still clean: 5ft SSE, 8 seconds, light south wind at 6 mph. Energy is 427, good surf. Afternoon gets a bit sloppy with SSE wind picking up.
Tuesday the 1st of September is flat and glassy in the morning—1ft SSE groundswell with a very long 16-second period, zero wind. Energy is weak (168). It’s surfable but very ordinary. Afternoon is poor with onshore wind.
From Wednesday the 2nd through to the end of the first week and into the start of the second, it’s mostly small and poor. A few glimmers: Thursday the 3rd morning is glassy with a 2ft E swell at 10 seconds, energy just 101—ordinary. Friday the 4th afternoon has a 3ft ENE swell, 10 seconds, with a light cross breeze, energy 211, but it’s marginal. Saturday the 5th morning is small and clean.
Now, the standout to keep an eye on is Monday the 8th of September. The morning brings a 4ft SSE groundswell with a long 16-second period, light cross-off wind from the south at 6 mph, and the combined energy hits very strong (698). The report says expect very good surf. That long period will wrap nicely around this point break, and with the wind being clean, it’ll be well-shaped and have some push. This is the best on offer across the whole outlook—just note it’s a week and a half away, so treat it as promising but not locked in.
Tuesday the 9th and Wednesday the 10th of September start falling apart with onshore winds and small, poor surf.
Overall, there are a few fun mornings in the first week, but the real golden window is that Monday the 8th. Until then, keep the expectations in check.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 22°C on Wed afternoon, min 15°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Sun night. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | ||||||||||||||
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 7 | ENE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 13 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 16 | E 10 | SSE 12 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
157 | 127 | 261 | 206 | 220 | 238 | 118 | 431 | 265 | 286 | 191 | 603 | 502 | 269 | 354 | 284 | 176 | 95 | 96 | 140 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | on | cross |
High Tide | 7:04PM1.62m | 7:18AM1.13m | 7:36PM1.67m | 7:52AM1.21m | 8:08PM1.69m | 8:27AM1.28m | 8:40PM1.65m | 9:03AM1.34m | 9:13PM1.58m | 9:41AM1.38m | 9:49PM1.47m | 10:23AM1.40m | 10:29PM1.32m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:38AM0.16m | 1:06PM0.10m | 2:07AM0.10m | 1:42PM0.07m | 2:36AM0.05m | 2:20PM0.07m | 3:06AM0.03m | 2:59PM0.10m | 3:36AM0.04m | 3:41PM0.16m | 4:09AM0.07m | 4:29PM0.24m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | |
5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | |
mm | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 3 | 4 | 4 | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 17 |
Feels °C | 21 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | S 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | E 10 | E 9 | SSE 10 | E 9 | E 8 | SSE 8 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 12 |
157 | 127 | 96 | 94 | 220 | 238 | 221 | 431 | 265 | 286 | 191 | 48 | 44 | 269 | 39 | 37 | 176 | 171 | 122 | 140 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 16 | S 16 | N 6 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | NE 10 | N 10 | E 9 | SSE 17 | SSE 17 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 |
7 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 87 | 50 | 48 | 72 | 75 | 57 | 52 | 4 | 2 | 41 | 27 | 55 | 85 | 73 | 96 | 70 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 16 | E 13 | S 11 | S 15 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | SSE 13 | NE 11 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 6 | NE 15 | — | S 9 | NE 14 | E 12 | SSE 16 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | ENE 4 |
25 | 3 | 10 | 5 | 24 | 42 | 118 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 8 | — | 6 | 7 | 3 | 147 | 95 | 43 | 5 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 4 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 3 | SSE 6 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | S 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | — | — | ENE 5 | NNW 2 |
— | 18 | 261 | 206 | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 102 | 603 | 502 | 139 | 354 | 284 | — | — | 4 | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 61 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 230 | 2 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Coast - New South Wales | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Broken Head Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Broken Head provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Broken Head can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Broken Head 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 (Broken Head) 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 Broken Head 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.
Broken Head is 19 km (12 miles) from Ballina. If you plan a holiday in North Coast - New South Wales, look for hotels and other accommodation in Ballina. Ballina has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











