
Surf Forecasts:
Broken Head surf forecast from 2 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 7 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 12s period, SSE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 9 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 8s period, SSE swell with 244 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 4 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period with NNE 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 Friday (Sep 04) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 6s 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 1.4m 8s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 09) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Wed 9th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Broken Head over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve been staring at the charts for Broken Head. Honestly, it’s a pretty lean run for the next week or so. We’ve got small, chopped-up energy and onshore winds making a mess of things. There’s a few mornings where it cleans up, but the swell just isn’t there to back it up. The water’s sitting at 69°F, which is about average for this time of year, nothing to write home about.
The first real flicker of hope shows up on Thursday morning, the 4th of September. We’ve got a clean, cross-off breeze from the south at 9 mph, and while the swell is only 3ft from the NNE with a short 6-second period, it’s at least surfable. The combined energy is weak (79). It’s not a standout, but it’s something to wet the line. The next morning, Sunday the 6th, is a repeat—clean conditions again with a south wind, but the same small, weak swell. It’s a tease.
Then we hit a bit of a gap. The next few days are pretty average with onshore winds and poor surf, until things start to get interesting around the 11th of September. Friday morning, the 11th, sees a massive jump in energy. The swell is 4ft from the SSE, but with a very long period of 16 seconds. The combined energy is strong (1340). The wind is a clean cross-off from the SSE at 12 mph. This is a proper groundswell, and at a point break like Broken Head, that long period should wrap in nicely. The afternoon gets bigger, with 7ft from the SSE, same direction, and a 15-second period. That’s a lot of water moving, and combined energy is very strong (1952). For the average surfer, that 7ft might be a bit much, so it’s one for the experienced crew.
But the real standout is Saturday morning, the 12th. The swell drops a touch to 5ft from the SSE, still with a solid 11-second period, and the combined energy is strong (572). The wind is light from the SSE at 6 mph, giving us clean, cross-off conditions. The “expect very good surf conditions” comment says it all. This is the best on offer by a long shot. The swell direction (SSE) is a good match for the optimum ENE direction, so it should be working well. Keep in mind, crowds are often here, so get there early.
After that, the swell fades back into the ordinary, small stuff. The 13th has a clean morning, but it’s back to 3ft, and then it’s mostly poor again through the second week.
So, for the whole 16 days, the only true standouts are the 11th and 12th of September. The 11th is for the experts wanting that big, long-period energy, and the 12th is the pick for everyone else. It’s a waiting game, but it’s worth it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Thu morning, min 18°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 26°C on Sat afternoon, min 17°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | ||||||||||||||
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 10 | N 5 | N 6 | NNE 6 | N 6 | NNE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 12 | E 9 | NNE 5 | N 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | SE 5 | E 5 | ENE 5 | NE 8 | NE 8 | SSE 6 | SSE 8 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
48 | 50 | 60 | 65 | 92 | 50 | 53 | 60 | 27 | 62 | 138 | 62 | 46 | 50 | 11 | 21 | 35 | 23 | 153 | 244 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-off | glassy | on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy |
High Tide | 11:15PM1.16m | 12:11PM1.38m | 00:16AM1.01m | 1:25PM1.38m | 1:39AM0.89m | 2:48PM1.42m | 3:16AM0.87m | 4:05PM1.52m | 4:35AM0.93m | 5:07PM1.63m | 5:34AM1.03m | 5:59PM1.72m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:26PM0.34m | 5:27AM0.20m | 6:40PM0.42m | 6:22AM0.27m | 8:17PM0.45m | 7:35AM0.32m | 9:55PM0.40m | 9:00AM0.30m | 11:06PM0.29m | 10:17AM0.23m | 11:59PM0.18m | 11:18AM0.14m | 00:41AM0.09m | |||||||
— | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | |
5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 19 | 27 | 27 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 26 | 26 | 22 | 25 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 |
Feels °C | 18 | 16 | 24 | 23 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 23 | 23 | 19 | 23 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 11 | NNE 5 | S 10 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | SSE 6 | S 7 | S 10 | S 9 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | S 11 | S 10 | S 11 | NE 8 | S 9 | SSE 8 |
85 | 58 | 42 | 53 | 57 | 50 | 53 | 38 | 73 | 39 | 77 | 62 | 46 | 25 | 284 | 125 | 146 | 23 | 54 | 244 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 9 | S 11 | ENE 9 | S 10 | S 10 | NNE 6 | NE 5 | NE 5 | E 10 | E 10 | S 9 | E 10 | S 9 | E 5 | E 9 | NE 8 | E 10 | NE 7 | ENE 9 |
48 | 45 | 57 | 29 | 53 | 53 | 25 | 13 | 6 | 28 | 18 | 27 | 17 | 53 | 11 | 15 | 35 | 16 | 19 | 27 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 11 | NE 11 | E 9 | NE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 12 | E 9 | SSE 13 | S 8 | E 10 | S 9 | E 10 | NNE 5 | NE 8 | E 9 | — | ENE 10 | NE 7 |
5 | 5 | 45 | 4 | 28 | 29 | 34 | 60 | 27 | 33 | 11 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 11 | 11 | 15 | — | 18 | 7 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 4 | N 5 | N 6 | NNE 6 | N 6 | SSE 4 | — | — | — | NNE 5 | N 6 | WSW 2 | SE 3 | SE 5 | — | ENE 5 | — | S 6 | SSE 6 | — |
36 | 50 | 60 | 65 | 92 | 8 | — | — | — | 62 | 138 | 1 | 3 | 50 | — | 21 | — | 184 | 153 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 208 | 20 | 2 | 82 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 7 | 208 | 15 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 264 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 0 |
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.










