Broken Head Surf Break

Lat Long: 28.71° S 153.62° E

Broken Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 am 20 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 20 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 21 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 9s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, ESE swell with 2,254 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 21 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 9s period with ESE 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 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 10s. 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 3.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 7s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4PM (Tue 21st Jul)6ft (1.8m) 9s
Best Surf 4PM (Tue 21st Jul)6ft (1.8m) 9s
Most Powerful 1PM (Mon 20th Jul)11ft (3.5m) 10s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here, and let’s get straight into it. The surf’s been a bit of a mixed bag, but there’s a couple of windows that’ll get you excited. The first few days are a bit of a write-off for quality, but we’ve got some real gems tucked in the back half of the week and into the next.

We’re starting off on Monday, July 20, with a solid but messy 12 ft swell from the ESE, with a 10-second period, and a cross-off wind from the SSE at 19 mph. The energy’s cranking (2824), but it’s a bit of a beast for the point break—the water’s a touch warmer than normal at 69°, which is pretty average for this time of year. This is a big swell, over 8 ft, so it’s expert-only territory, and the conditions aren’t doing it any favours. It’s a marginal call, not a standout.

Wednesday, July 22, rolls in with a proper clean-up. The swell drops to 5 ft from the E, 10-second period, and we get a glassy offshore wind from the WSW at just 3 mph. The energy’s moderate (432), but the wind is pure magic. This is the first real standout of the outlook—Broken Head (point) is your spot. The swell direction from the E is a bit off the optimum ENE, but the offshore wind will make it look like a postcard. It’s a beginner-friendly height, but the clean conditions are for everyone.

Thursday, July 23, keeps it tidy with a 4 ft, 8-second E swell and a light offshore WSW wind at 3 mph. Energy’s dropping (209), but it’s clean and fun, another good one for the morning.

Then we hit a bit of a lull. Friday, July 24, has a chunky 6 ft SSE swell, but it’s short-period (6-7 seconds) and cross-off wind from the S at 12 mph. The energy’s moderate (335-415), but the quality’s not there. Not a recommendation.

Now, hold onto your board. Saturday, July 25, brings a special treat. The morning is glassy with a NW wind at 3 mph, and a tiny 2 ft swell from the SSE, but the period is a massive 16 seconds. That’s a very long period groundswell, and the energy’s surprisingly punchy for the size (275). This is a true standout for the point break. The long period means it’ll wrap in beautifully, and with glassy conditions, it’s going to be clean and lined up. The swell direction is SSE, which is a perfect match for the optimum ENE? It’s a bit off, but the quality of the swell and the wind will more than make up for it. Keep in mind, it’s an inconsistent spot, but when it’s this good, you don’t pass it up.

Sunday, July 26, morning is another ripper. A 4 ft SSE swell with a 14-second period, and a light offshore SW wind at 3 mph. Energy’s moderate (540), and it’s clean. Another solid session.

The middle of the week (July 27-28) goes quiet, with tiny surf and poor conditions. The energy drops to nearly nothing (7-16), so you’ll be waiting.

Then on Wednesday, July 29, the morning is promising again. A small 2 ft, 17-second SSE groundswell with a light offshore SW wind at 9 mph. Energy’s moderate (297) for the size. It’s a long period, so it’s all about the wait for sets. The 17-second period is very long, so it’ll break with a lot of shape at the point.

Thursday, July 30, picks up in size but not in cleanliness. A 4 ft to 5 ft SSE swell, 15-17 seconds, with cross-off winds. The energy’s strong (660-1082), but the wind’s a bit messy. It’s a marginal call.

Friday, July 31, morning is the last real shout. A 5 ft, 14-second SSE swell with a gentle cross-off breeze. Energy’s strong (945). It’s clean, but the wind is a bit of a cross-off, so not as perfect as the glassy days.

After that, August 1-4 is a big fat nothing. The energy flatlines (18-23), and the conditions are poor. A gap of several days with no real surf on offer.

Best of the bunch: Wednesday, July 22, for the glassy offshore and clean 5 ft waves, and Saturday, July 25, morning for that rare, glassy, long-period groundswell. Both are standouts for different reasons.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed afternoon, min 15°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSE on Mon morning, calm by Tue night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Thu morning, min 11°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
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
3
3
2
3
2
2
1
1
2
0
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
3
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)
3.5
ESE
10
3
ESE
10
2.5
ESE
10
2.2
E
10
1.8
ESE
9
1.7
E
10
1.5
E
10
1.5
E
9
1.3
E
9
1.2
E
8
1.1
E
8
0.9
ENE
8
1.8
SSE
6
1.8
SSE
7
0.5
E
10
0.6
SSE
16
1.2
SSE
13
0.3
SSE
18
1.1
SSE
14
0.4
E
8
0.3
ENE
7
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2787
1882
1479
942
552
544
417
364
263
205
165
109
256
355
47
214
531
66
507
21
9
Wind (km/h)
30
SSE
25
SSE
20
SE
15
SSE
15
SSE
5
SE
5
WSW
10
NNE
10
NNW
5
WSW
10
SE
15
SW
20
S
20
S
15
WSW
5
NW
10
ESE
10
SW
5
SW
10
ESE
5
SW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
off
cross-on
cross
off
cross
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross
off
off
cross
off
High Tide
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
4:39AM0.85m
5:37PM1.39m
5:40AM0.88m
6:21PM1.47m
Low Tide
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
10:31AM0.33m
00:26AM0.43m
11:24AM0.29m
1:06AM0.35m
part cloud
cloud
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:35
6:35
6:33
6:33
6:33
6:33
6:33
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:07
5:07
5:08
5:08
5:09
5:09
5:10
 mm
1
2
2
Temp °C
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
19
17
20
18
16
15
15
14
16
15
14
17
16
16
Feels °C
13
13
14
16
17
17
18
18
15
19
16
15
10
11
12
15
13
12
16
15
16
  • 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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