Broken Head Surf Break

Lat Long: 28.71° S 153.62° E

Broken Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 pm 18 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Broken Head sea temperature is
20.5° C
0.3° 

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 18 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 21 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 10s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 11s period, SE swell with 4,816 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 21 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 10s period with E 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 Tuesday (Jul 21) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 10s period. 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 4.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 7s period and expected on Monday (Jul 20) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10AM (Tue 21st Jul)7ft (2.2m) 10s
Best Surf10AM (Tue 21st Jul)7ft (2.2m) 10s
Most Powerful10PM (Sat 18th Jul)15ft (4.5m) 11s

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


The Lowdown

Right, Rusty here, let's chew the fat on Broken Head for the next couple of weeks.

First up, we’ve got a massive pulse of swell about to smack into the coast this weekend. Water temp's around 69°, which is pretty standard for the season – nothing crazy. The catch is, that’s a big, powerful groundswell (3058 energy) but the wind is a solid 25 mph from the south on Saturday. It's keeping things semi-clean as a cross-off, but that's a lot of wind. We're looking at 13-foot waves from the southeast. That is heavy, expert-only territory. And don't forget, this spot can get crowded, so expect a bit of a circus if you're out there.

That swell peaks on Sunday morning with the combined energy hitting a whopping 4429. That's a serious amount of water moving. We're talking 15-foot of S/SE swell at a 10-second interval. Wind is still up there at 22 mph from the SSE. It's surfable for the brave, but it's not a beginner's day. Sunday afternoon isn't letting up either; still 15-foot to 12-foot and the wind stays fresh.

Come Monday, the swell begins to back off, but we’re still looking at a big 11-12 foot in the morning with a lumpy cross-shore wind. Not the best combo. The light at the end of the tunnel is Tuesday morning. The swell drops to a more manageable 7 feet from the east, and crucially, the wind eases right back to a gentle cross-off. The energy is still decent at 910. A much more surfable day.

Wednesday is the real hidden gem, though. Wednesday afternoon, we get 4.6 feet of east swell, and the wind goes glassy from the northeast. It's a small wave, but it'll be absolutely perfect and clean.

Standout: Tuesday 21st and Wednesday 22nd

If I had to pick one session, Tuesday morning is the one. 7 feet of east swell with a gentle cross-off breeze is a solid, clean option for a confident surfer. The water will be good, the energy is there.

But the absolute winner is Wednesday 22nd July. In the afternoon, it’s glassy. 4.6 feet from the east with zero wind is about as good as it gets for a fun, clean session at this break.

The Second Week and Beyond

The following week goes pretty dead. After that drop-off on Thursday, there's a long flat spell from the 23rd through to the end of the month. There’s a small spike on the 24th to 10 feet, but it’s with strong southerly winds again – likely messy and blown out. The only real flicker of hope is on Friday 31st July. A solid, long-period groundswell from the ESE rolls in, with a period of 13 seconds and 429 energy. The wind looks light and cross-off. That could be a real treat if the banks are right. Keep it on your radar.

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 26mm), heaviest during Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun night, min 17°C on Sat afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the S on Sat afternoon, light winds from the SSE by Tue morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu morning, min 14°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, fresh winds from the S by Thu night).

Sat
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
2
2
3
1
2
3
3
2
1
2
2
2
1
0
2
2
2
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
4
SE
9
4.5
SE
10
4.5
SE
10
4.5
SE
10
4.5
SE
10
3.5
ESE
10
3
ESE
10
2.4
E
10
2.2
E
10
1.9
E
9
1.6
E
9
1.5
E
9
1.4
E
9
1.2
E
8
1.1
E
8
1
E
8
2.2
SSE
7
3
SSE
8
2.4
SSE
8
2.1
SSE
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
3058
4547
4392
3916
3744
2570
1849
1115
910
619
425
359
304
200
169
137
485
1147
781
889
Wind (km/h)
40
S
40
SSE
35
SSE
40
SSE
35
SSE
30
SE
25
SSE
20
SE
15
SSE
15
SE
5
SE
10
WSW
5
NE
10
WNW
10
SW
15
SSE
20
S
25
S
25
SSE
15
SSE
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
off
glassy
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
11:04PM1.60m
11:42AM1.19m
11:44PM1.42m
12:36PM1.20m
00:25AM1.23m
1:35PM1.20m
1:11AM1.07m
2:40PM1.22m
2:09AM0.94m
3:45PM1.25m
3:24AM0.86m
4:46PM1.31m
Low Tide
4:35PM0.16m
5:38AM0.11m
5:26PM0.30m
6:16AM0.16m
6:22PM0.44m
6:55AM0.22m
7:31PM0.56m
7:39AM0.28m
8:57PM0.61m
8:30AM0.32m
10:27PM0.59m
9:30AM0.34m
11:37PM0.52m
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:35
6:35
6:35
6:33
6:33
6:33
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:07
5:07
5:07
5:07
5:08
5:08
5:09
 mm
4
8
4
4
4
2
4
Temp °C
17
18
18
18
19
19
19
18
18
18
18
18
18
17
19
18
17
17
17
17
Feels °C
10
12
12
12
15
15
14
14
16
16
16
18
18
16
17
16
14
11
11
12
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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