Broken Head Surf Break

Lat Long: 28.71° S 153.62° E

Broken Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 am 31 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Broken Head sea temperature is
20.3°C
0.5° 

Broken Head surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Broken Head surf forecast from 31 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 31 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 8s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 1 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 13s period, SSE swell with 212 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 31 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 8s 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 Monday (Aug 31) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 16s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s 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 0.8m 13s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 7s period and expected on Friday (Sep 04) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Mon 31st Aug)4ft (1.2m) 8s
Best Surf 7PM (Mon 31st Aug)4ft (1.2m) 8s
Most Powerful 7PM (Tue 1st Sep)2.5ft (0.8m) 13s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Broken Head over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s be straight up – this is a tough forecast for Broken Head. We’re staring down a long, dry spell of mostly small, wind-affected waves for the first week and a half. The only real glimmer comes at the end of the window, around the 10th of September, but even that comes with strong wind.

The pattern this week is dominated by tiny swell and crap wind. From Monday the 31st of August through to Tuesday the 8th of September, it’s a whole lot of cross-onshore breezes, choppy surface, and waves barely pushing waist-high. There’s a brief moment on Monday morning with 4ft from the SSE at 9 seconds and a nice offshore SW breeze – combined energy sitting at a moderate 273 – but it’s just a flash in the pan. The rest of that week is a write-off: 2ft to 3ft junk, mostly from the north, with wind ruining any chance of a clean face. Honestly, unless you’re desperate to get wet, you’re better off doing something else.

There’s a gap of several days with no real recommendations here – it’s pretty grim.

Then, on Wednesday the 9th of September, things finally get a pulse. We’ve got a solid 6ft to 7ft NNE groundswell rolling in, with a period of 7 seconds, pushed by strong offshore SW winds. The combined energy jumps right up to 523 on Wednesday afternoon (strong to very strong). But here’s the catch – those offshore winds are blowing at 28 mph. That’s a clean wave face, sure, but it’ll be a battle to paddle into, and the swell is over 5ft, so it’s not for beginners. The tide could also mess with the shape. It’s a standout because of the size and clean conditions, but it’s more of an expert window.

Thursday the 10th of September offers a slightly more manageable option. The morning has 5ft from the NE at 7 seconds, with a fresh offshore WSW wind (19 mph) – combined energy 221, moderate to strong. Come Thursday afternoon, the wind drops to a gentle 9 mph offshore from the SSW, and the swell is 5ft from the NE (239 combined energy). This is the pick of the entire 16-day run. Clean, gentle offshore breeze, decent shoulder-high waves, and the break at Broken Head (point) is fairly consistent. It’s rated as beginner-friendly, but at 5ft, some paddling fitness helps. Crowds are often, so expect company. The water temp is 69°, which is about average for this time of year, with just a slight -0.9° anomaly nothing to worry about.

After that, the 11th to the 15th of September sees the swell dropping back down and the wind turning cross-off or onshore again. Size stays between 3ft and 4ft, mostly from the NE with moderate to fresh breezes, so just ordinary, surfable but nothing to write home about.

All in all, the only standout is the afternoon of Thursday the 10th of September at Broken Head. That gentle offshore and clean 5ft NE swell will be the best you’ll get. Everything else is a stay-at-home.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Wed morning, min 15°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Thu morning, min 19°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
2
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
SSE
9
1.3
SSE
8
1.1
SSE
8
0.9
SSE
11
0.7
ENE
10
0.6
E
10
0.6
E
10
0.5
E
10
0.5
E
9
1
N
5
1
NNE
5
0.9
NNE
6
0.7
NNE
6
0.9
SSE
7
0.8
SSE
13
0.9
N
5
1.3
NNE
6
0.9
NNE
6
0.7
NNE
6
0.3
E
10
0.4
SSE
13
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
184
221
160
167
102
68
70
48
45
53
62
45
35
89
181
37
98
57
31
17
55
Wind (km/h)
15
SW
15
SSE
5
SW
10
S
15
NNE
15
NNW
10
NNW
20
N
20
NNW
10
NNW
25
N
10
NW
15
SSE
15
E
10
NW
15
N
20
N
5
WNW
10
SSE
15
N
20
N
Wind State
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
9:49PM1.47m
10:23AM1.40m
10:29PM1.32m
11:12AM1.39m
11:15PM1.16m
12:11PM1.38m
00:16AM1.01m
1:25PM1.38m
1:39AM0.89m
2:48PM1.42m
3:16AM0.87m
4:05PM1.52m
Low Tide
3:41PM0.16m
4:09AM0.07m
4:29PM0.24m
4:45AM0.13m
5:26PM0.34m
5:27AM0.20m
6:40PM0.42m
6:22AM0.27m
8:17PM0.45m
7:35AM0.32m
9:55PM0.40m
9:00AM0.30m
11:06PM0.29m
cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
clear
rain showers
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:01
6:01
5:58
5:58
5:56
5:56
5:54
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:30
5:30
5:30
5:30
5:31
5:31
5:32
 mm
1
Temp °C
19
19
18
18
19
17
23
22
19
28
27
22
21
21
19
28
26
24
24
21
19
Feels °C
16
16
17
17
17
14
21
19
16
25
23
20
20
19
18
25
23
22
24
21
18
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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