Surf Forecasts:
Broken Head surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 10s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 10s period, ESE swell with 461 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 10s period with SE 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 6s. 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 1.6m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 4PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Broken Head over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s cooking at Broken Head.
The first few days are a bit of a slow burn, but there’s some real fire coming if you can wait. Wednesday morning the 19th kicks things off proper – a 5ft south-east groundswell with an 11-second period, and the combined energy is at 583 (moderate). The water’s 68°F, which is about 1°F cooler than average for this time of year – nothing wild, just a touch chilly. Wind is a light SSE breeze at 6 mph, cross-offshore, so it’ll be glassy. That’s your first real session.
Thursday morning the 20th looks glassy again with a 5ft east-southeast swell, but the period drops to 8 seconds – shorter-period wind swell, less grunt. The SSW wind at 3 mph and glass conditions make it a fun one for beginners at this point break.
Then things go quiet. From Friday the 21st through the end of the month, the swell drops below 3ft, winds turn onshore or cross-onshore, and the energy is weak – combined energy mostly under 150. A few mornings with offshore wind, like Sunday the 23rd and Thursday the 27th, but the swell is tiny – around 3ft – so it’s longboard or foil territory.
Now for the payoff. Sunday the 30th of August sees a 8ft south-southeast swell with strong energy at 922. The wind is a fresh 22 mph from the southwest, cross-offshore, so it’ll be clean but hefty. Experts only.
The real standout is Monday the 31st of August into Tuesday the 1st of September. A massive 10ft south-southeast groundswell with a very long 12-second period, and the combined energy is a beast at 2426 (very strong). Wind is SSW at 12 mph, cross-offshore, so clean. At 10ft, this is strictly for experienced surfers. The point at Broken Head will handle it well with that long-period groundswell. Tuesday the 1st of September still has a solid 7ft swell with 11-second period and 1005 energy (strong), with a light south wind. That Tuesday morning is your best call for a serious session.
So, first week is a bit of a snooze, but the second week brings the thunder. Beginners, hit the glassy Thursday the 20th. Experts, hold out for Monday the 31st and Tuesday the 1st.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed morning, min 15°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat morning, min 15°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 11 | SE 10 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 505 | 412 | 263 | 300 | 265 | 117 | 59 | 62 | 73 | 75 | 75 | 74 | 87 | 81 | 62 | 67 | 85 | 116 | 116 | 87 | 116 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy | off | cross-on | glassy | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 12:42PM1.24m | 00:20AM0.96m | 1:49PM1.21m | 1:26AM0.85m | 3:05PM1.21m | 3:01AM0.80m | 4:16PM1.27m | 4:25AM0.83m | 5:11PM1.35m | 5:23AM0.89m | 5:54PM1.45m | 6:06AM0.97m | 6:31PM1.55m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:54PM0.56m | 6:36AM0.34m | 8:25PM0.62m | 7:36AM0.40m | 10:07PM0.59m | 8:54AM0.42m | 11:16PM0.51m | 10:07AM0.38m | 00:01AM0.41m | 11:04AM0.31m | 00:36AM0.32m | 11:49AM0.23m | 1:08AM0.23m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  | | | |  | | | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — |
 | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — |
mm | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 |
Temp °C | 19 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 22 | 20 | 19 |
Feels °C | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 16 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 11 | SE 10 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | SE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
| kJ | 505 | 412 | 263 | 300 | 265 | 117 | 59 | 62 | 73 | 75 | 14 | 74 | 87 | 81 | 62 | 67 | 85 | 116 | 116 | 87 | 116 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | S 9 | E 11 | E 10 | SE 7 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | ENE 10 | SSE 7 | ESE 8 | S 9 | S 4 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | N 5 |
| kJ | 78 | 54 | 15 | 10 | 8 | 44 | 39 | 28 | 21 | 14 | 9 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 9 | 13 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 15 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 10 | ESE 12 | — | SSE 10 | SE 9 | ESE 7 | S 12 | E 13 | SE 8 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | SE 7 | — | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 6 | SE 5 | S 15 | S 10 |
| kJ | 56 | 18 | 29 | — | 10 | 21 | 28 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 7 | 2 | — | 6 | 14 | 14 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 7 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 3 | NNW 3 | — | ENE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | N 3 | NNE 5 | NW 3 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 2 | — | 75 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 5 | 57 | 2 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 264 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 236 | 20 | 86 | 236 | 15 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Coast - New South Wales | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.
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