Surf Forecasts:
Broken Head surf forecast from 27 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 11s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 30 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 10s period, SSE swell with 698 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 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 Thursday (Aug 27) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 16s 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 2.0m 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 1.5m 9s period and expected on Monday (Aug 31) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Broken Head over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve been looking over the charts for Broken Head (a point break, beginner-friendly, fairly consistent). We’ve got a slow start, but there’s a proper pulse building later in the window.
Right now, Thursday morning the 27th has a small 3ft ENE swell with a weak 8-second period, and the combined energy is only 98 – that’s weak. The wind is a cross-off from the SSW, but the whole thing is just too small and messy. “Poor surf conditions” says it all. Thursday afternoon sees a jump to 5ft but from the SSE, period drops to 7 seconds, and the combined energy is 362 (moderate), but the wind turns cross-off from the SSE and the comments flag marginal tide issues. Not worth paddling out for.
Friday morning the 28th looks a bit better: 4ft from the SSE, 9-second period, combined energy 371 (moderate), and a light S cross-off breeze. The forecast says “expect good surf conditions,” so it’s a clean little window. That afternoon, swell builds to 5ft with a longer 12-second period and combined energy 689 (moderate), but the wind goes cross-on from the ESE, making it choppy. Saturday morning the 29th offers another clean session with 4ft SSE swell, 10-second period, combined energy 382, and SSW cross-off wind. It’s rideable and clean, but not a standout.
The water temp is sitting at 69°F, with a -0.5°F anomaly – that’s about average for this time of year, nothing weird.
We then hit a dry spell. From Sunday the 30th all the way through to Wednesday morning the 10th of September, the surf is either too small, too windy, or just plain poor. There are a few mornings with glassy conditions – like Tuesday the 1st of September, where we get a glassy 2ft SSE swell with a long 16-second period – but the combined energy is 342 (moderate) and the height is tiny. That’s more of a longboard groomer than anything with punch. There’s a noticeable gap of over a week where you’re better off doing something else.
Now, here’s the real deal. Thursday the 10th of September – that’s the one to circle. Thursday morning, the swell jumps to 8ft from the SSE, 13-second period, and the combined energy is a massive 2158 (very strong). The wind is a clean cross-off from the S. That’s a solid, powerful groundswell, but at 8ft, it’s getting into expert territory – beginners should sit this one out. Thursday afternoon holds at 7ft with 12-second period and 1971 energy, still clean. The comments say “marginal surf forecast or questionable tide conditions,” but the raw energy is undeniable.
But the absolute standout is Friday the 11th of September. Friday morning, we’ve got 12ft from the SSE, 14-second period, and the combined energy is a whopping 4761 – that’s very strong. The wind is a gentle cross-off from the SSW. The forecast says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers,” and that’s exactly what this is. This is a serious, long-period groundswell, and at 12ft it’s only for experts. The point break at Broken Head will handle this energy well – long-period groundswells love points, and the shape should be proper. Friday afternoon drops to 10ft with 13-second period and 3353 energy, still clean, still solid. If you’re experienced and hungry, this is the session.
Keep in mind, this is a week and a half away, so it’s a long-range call – promising but not locked in. For now, the best bet is that Friday morning, 11th of September. Crowds are possible here, but with a swell this size, only the keen and capable will be out.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri morning, min 15°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | SE 15 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 10 | SSE 17 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 12 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
96 | 261 | 306 | 56 | 634 | 515 | 320 | 424 | 244 | 350 | 293 | 358 | 54 | 310 | 227 | 198 | 158 | 142 | 67 | 68 | 47 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | glassy | on | cross | cross | on | cross |
High Tide | 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 | 11:12AM1.39m | 11:15PM1.16m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 4:45AM0.13m | 5:26PM0.34m | ||||||||
6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | |
— | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 23 | 21 | 19 |
Feels °C | 15 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 21 | 18 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | E 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 12 | S 11 | S 11 | E 10 |
96 | 94 | 306 | 304 | 634 | 515 | 320 | 54 | 140 | 143 | 92 | 358 | 26 | 24 | 227 | 198 | 158 | 142 | 119 | 85 | 47 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 6 | S 15 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | NE 10 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | SSE 17 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | S 11 |
2 | 5 | 71 | 51 | 36 | 54 | 59 | 4 | 37 | 37 | 44 | 41 | 54 | 99 | 208 | 73 | 71 | 68 | 67 | 68 | 57 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | S 15 | SSE 16 | SE 15 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 10 | — | NE 10 | N 10 | NE 12 | S 9 | NE 14 | NE 13 | ENE 11 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | NE 11 | NE 4 | NE 11 | NE 11 |
5 | 18 | 24 | 56 | 5 | 5 | 4 | — | 4 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 38 | 142 | 45 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 5 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | SSE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 10 | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | — | S 9 | SSE 8 | — | — | — | NE 4 | N 4 | NNE 4 | N 4 |
269 | 261 | — | — | — | — | — | 424 | 244 | 350 | 293 | — | 339 | 310 | — | — | — | 12 | 14 | 26 | 24 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 20 | 0 | 7 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 236 | 7 | 2 | 208 | 7 |
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.











