
Surf Forecasts:
Broken Head surf forecast from 7 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 11s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, SSE swell with 2,470 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 7 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 10s 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 (Sep 07) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Broken Head in the next 16 days are 3.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 8s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 10) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Mon 7th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 6ft (1.9m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Broken Head over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here again. We’ll flip to feet and knots now, but the story’s the same—Broken Head starts flat and finishes with a bang.
First week’s a dud for surfing. Monday 7th and Tuesday 8th September have tiny 1-foot east swells with cross-shore winds and weak energy. Not worth paddling out. Wednesday 9th morning shows 5-foot SSE swell with light offshore south winds—clean, but the swell’s a bit off-angle for the break. That’s the first real chance, though it’s not a standout.
Thursday 10th through Saturday 12th September: swell jumps to 11–12 feet SSE, dropping to 6–7 feet. Strong energy, but winds are fresh and cross-off, with marginal conditions. This is expert-only territory—too big for beginners.
Sunday 13th September morning is a sweet spot: 5-foot SE swell with glassy offshore winds, clean and moderate energy. Good for intermediates. But the real gem is Thursday 17th September morning: 3-foot SSE groundswell with 11-second period, light offshore SW wind at 5 km/h, and clean. That’s a tidy little session.
The standout, hands down, is Friday 18th September morning. A solid 13-foot SSE swell with a very long 14-second period—that’s serious groundswell. Combined energy is massive. Winds are cross-off from the SSW at 18 knots, so it’s clean but pushing hard. This one’s for experts only. Saturday 19th September morning still holds 8-foot SSE swell with 12-second period, light offshore winds, and excellent conditions for experienced surfers. After that, it tails off into small, choppy conditions.
Water’s about 69°F—average for this time of year, nothing unusual.
Crowds can be a factor at Broken Head, so on the good days—Wednesday 9th morning, Sunday 13th morning, Thursday 17th, and the big Friday 18th/Saturday 19th—expect company, but it’s worth it.
So, short version: first week’s slow. Wednesday 9th morning and Sunday 13th are okay. Thursday 17th is a clean, smaller standout. Friday 18th is the big one for expert surfers. Get after it if you’re keen.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Wed night. Warm (max 20°C on Wed morning, min 15°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon night, fresh winds from the S by Wed night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Fri night. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri morning, min 14°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Thu afternoon, light winds from the SSW by Sun morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | ||||||||||||||
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) | E 9 | SSE 9 | E 10 | E 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 6 | SSE 9 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
15 | 248 | 17 | 16 | 474 | 307 | 281 | 427 | 2470 | 1845 | 1631 | 1742 | 1432 | 947 | 645 | 515 | 471 | 390 | 82 | 101 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | glassy |
High Tide | 5:07PM1.63m | 5:34AM1.03m | 5:59PM1.72m | 6:22AM1.15m | 6:44PM1.77m | 7:05AM1.26m | 7:25PM1.76m | 7:46AM1.36m | 8:02PM1.69m | 8:25AM1.43m | 8:38PM1.58m | 9:03AM1.46m | 9:12PM1.44m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:59PM0.18m | 11:18AM0.14m | 00:41AM0.09m | 12:11PM0.06m | 1:19AM0.03m | 12:58PM0.01m | 1:52AM0.00m | 1:42PM0.01m | 2:24AM-0.00m | 2:25PM0.04m | 2:54AM0.02m | 3:07PM0.12m | 3:23AM0.07m | |||||||
— | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | |
5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:36 | — | |
mm | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 10 | — | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 4 | — | — | 4 | 2 | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 18 |
Feels °C | 16 | 17 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | SSE 9 | NE 8 | NE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 12 | ENE 9 | S 23 | SSE 22 | S 17 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 |
584 | 248 | 11 | 10 | 474 | 307 | 281 | 68 | 7 | 11 | 98 | 297 | 4 | 16 | 4 | 15 | 471 | 390 | 82 | 74 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 6 | NE 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | S 18 | E 15 | NE 15 | NE 13 | S 22 | NE 15 | E 14 | S 18 | SSE 18 | SSE 20 | S 9 | SSE 9 |
8 | 20 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 6 | 4 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 4 | 6 | 64 | 41 | 169 | 101 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | NE 9 | — | NNE 7 | NE 6 | E 16 | NNE 3 | E 15 | — | — | — | — | — | NE 16 | NE 15 | E 13 | E 13 | SSE 19 | SSE 17 |
15 | 6 | 3 | — | 5 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 8 | 13 | 14 | 74 | 59 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 9 | S 8 | — | — | NE 6 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | — | — | — | E 6 |
— | — | 471 | 496 | — | — | 2 | 427 | 2470 | 1845 | 1631 | 1742 | 1432 | 947 | 645 | 515 | — | — | — | 50 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 60 | 0 | 20 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 264 | 20 | 190 | 381 | 7 | 84 | 156 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
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.










