Broken Head Surf Break

Lat Long: 28.71° S 153.62° E

Broken Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 pm 28 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Broken Head sea temperature is
20.4°C
0.4° 

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 28 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 11s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 30 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 9s period, SSE swell with 600 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 29 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 11s 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 Saturday (Aug 29) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 8s. 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 9s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 30) 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 1.2m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Sat 29th Aug)5ft (1.5m) 11s
Best Surf 1AM (Sat 29th Aug)5ft (1.5m) 11s
Most Powerful10AM (Sun 30th Aug)6.5ft (2.0m) 9s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer at Broken Head for the next little while.

The early part of the outlook is a slow burn, with the first real chance to get wet arriving on Saturday morning the 29th of August. Before that, Friday afternoon the 28th is a write-off – small, messy, and cross-shore at 5ft from the SSE with only 12 seconds of period. The combined energy is moderate (760), but conditions are marginal, so I’d give it a miss.

Saturday morning the 29th is where it starts to feel right. We’ve got a clean 4ft SSE swell with a 10-second period, light offshore wind from the SW, and a solid moderate energy reading (396). The water’s sitting at 69°F, which is about average for the time of year. Broken Head is a point break that’s fairly consistent and beginner-friendly, so this is a nice window for a long, easy session. The chop stays away, and the offshore breeze will keep things smooth. Afternoon sees a bit of rain and a pick-up in wind, so the morning is your pick.

Sunday the 30th brings a bit more size – 7ft from the SSE in the morning, dropping to 6ft in the afternoon. The period drops to 9 seconds, so it’s a bit shorter and punchier. The wind is cross-offshore from the S at 12 mph, which keeps it reasonably clean, but the energy is high (642 in the morning). For beginners, this is pushing the limit at over 5ft; it’s still manageable for most intermediate surfers, but the shorter period means it’ll be a bit more walled and less forgiving.

Monday the 31st sees the swell settle around 5ft with an 8-second period, south-easterly wind, and clean conditions. The energy is moderate (around 426–452). It’s a solid, workable day but nothing to write home about.

Now, the standout of the whole run is Thursday morning the 10th of September. This is the one to circle on your calendar. We’ve got a 5ft SSE groundswell with a 12-second period, combined energy reading of 560, and it’s dead glassy – zero wind. That’s about as clean as it gets. The swell direction is SSE, which matches the optimum ENE direction reasonably well, and the long period means those waves will have real shape and power. This is a point break, so the long period won’t be a problem – it’ll wrap in nicely. For intermediate to advanced surfers, this is a premium session. Keep in mind it’s over a week away, so the vibe is promising but not locked in just yet.

Between that and the weekend, there’s a fair bit of average to poor surf. From Tuesday the 1st of September through to Tuesday the 8th, the conditions are mostly poor – small, cross-onshore, or onshore winds, and short-period windswell. The energy drops away to low numbers (down to 13 or 20 at times), and there’s a run of days where the swell is under 2ft. It’s a real dry spell, so don’t get your hopes up in that middle week.

The tail end of the outlook, around Saturday the 12th of September, flirts with a bit of size again – 7ft from the SSE – but the period is a short 6 seconds and the wind is cross-shore, so it’s likely to be a messy, lumpy affair. Probably one for the kites more than a paddle board.

So, if you’re keen, hit Saturday morning the 29th of August for a clean, fun session, and definitely keep your eyes peeled for Thursday the 10th of September – that glassy morning with a long-period groundswell could be the best wave of the month.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri afternoon, min 14°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Thu morning, min 16°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Fri
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
3
2
1
1
2
2
2
1
1
2
2
0
0
1
0
0
0
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)
1.6
SSE
12
1.5
SSE
11
1.3
SSE
10
1
SSE
10
1.9
SSE
6
2
SSE
9
1.7
SSE
9
1.2
SSE
6
1.6
SSE
8
1.6
SSE
8
1.2
SSE
8
0.9
SSE
11
0.8
SSE
10
0.8
SSE
11
0.8
SSE
11
0.7
SSE
11
0.5
E
9
0.5
E
9
0.5
E
10
0.5
SSE
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
718
515
338
218
280
600
456
103
310
310
181
214
147
164
161
121
45
45
47
58
Wind (km/h)
15
SE
10
S
15
SW
20
S
20
S
20
S
20
S
15
SW
20
SSW
15
SSE
5
S
5
SSE
15
NNE
15
NNW
10
NNW
20
NNE
15
NNW
10
N
20
N
15
NNW
Wind State
cross
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
High Tide
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
12:11PM1.38m
00:16AM1.01m
Low Tide
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
5:27AM0.20m
6:40PM0.42m
clear
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:03
6:03
6:01
6:01
5:58
5:58
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:28
5:29
5:29
5:30
5:30
5:30
5:30
 mm
1
1
2
Temp °C
19
17
18
18
17
18
18
18
18
18
18
19
19
17
22
21
19
25
23
21
Feels °C
17
16
15
14
15
14
15
16
15
16
18
18
17
14
20
18
17
22
20
18
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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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