Surf Forecasts:
Broken Head surf forecast from 14 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 18 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 10s period, SSE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 10s period, SSE swell with 3,017 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 18 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 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 Friday (Sep 18) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 12s. 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 4.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 10PM. 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 10s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 17) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Wed 16th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Broken Head over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s break it down.
Overall, this forecast is a slow burner. There’s surf coming, but most of it has messy wind or the wrong angle for the main break. You’ve got a dry spell for the first few days—don’t bother rushing out. The real action shows up mid-next week, and it’s only for the brave.
The spot we’re looking at is Broken Head, a point break. The ideal swell direction is from the ENE, and that shows up later on. For the crew who aren’t beginners, the best window is Wednesday the 16th of September afternoon through Thursday the 17th of September. Wednesday afternoon has a 10ft swell from the SSE with an 8-second period and strong energy (1389). The wind is a fresh cross-offshore from the south, so it’s clean. That size is only for experts. Thursday morning holds similar: 10ft from the SSE, 10-second period, even more energy (1907), and a moderate cross-offshore breeze. Clean, but way over 8ft—experts only. These are the standouts: big, clean, powerful, but not for the faint of heart. The swell direction isn’t a perfect ENE match, but the quality with that offshore wind makes it worth it.
After Thursday the 17th, it fades fast. Friday the 18th has 3ft from the SE, 8-second period, moderate energy (126–152). The morning is clean with a light cross-offshore, but the wind goes onshore in the afternoon. Surfable but nothing special. Then from Saturday the 19th through Monday the 21st, it’s tiny—mostly under 2ft with long periods but low energy, and either cross-onshore or glassy but flat. Not worth the drive.
Tuesday the 22nd of September morning brings a 5ft swell from the SE, 7-second period, moderate energy (274), with a moderate cross-offshore breeze keeping it clean. Marginal, but if you’re desperate, there might be a wave.
From Wednesday the 23rd onward, it’s mostly poor. Swell tries to build again toward the end of the month, but the wind stays cross-onshore or onshore, with directions from the ENE and periods of 7–9 seconds. Energy is moderate (300–400 range), but the quality is poor. The morning of Tuesday the 29th of September has a glimmer: 4ft from the ENE, 8-second period, moderate energy (344), with a light cross-shore breeze. Clean-ish but marginal. Wednesday the 30th morning has 4ft from the ENE, 8 seconds, moderate energy (249), with a moderate cross-offshore from the SSW—clean again, but still only marginal.
Water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing crazy.
So the call is: Wednesday the 16th and Thursday the 17th are the big, clean standouts for experts at Broken Head. For everyone else, it’s a quiet stretch with a few so-so windows.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 22°C on Tue morning, min 12°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Mon night, fresh winds from the S by Wed night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sat morning, min 14°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | NNE 5 | NE 5 | ENE 6 | SSE 8 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 18 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | SSE 17 | SSE 10 | NNE 4 | N 5 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 97 | 64 | 56 | 47 | 12 | 1385 | 2990 | 1898 | 1455 | 838 | 125 | 116 | 106 | 95 | 84 | 57 | 110 | 46 | 36 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | on | cross |
High Tide | 10:20AM1.43m | 10:20PM1.14m | 11:03AM1.36m | 10:58PM1.00m | 11:54AM1.29m | 11:46PM0.89m | 12:58PM1.22m | 1:01AM0.81m | 2:17PM1.20m | 2:42AM0.79m | 3:31PM1.25m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:53AM0.13m | 4:34PM0.32m | 4:24AM0.21m | 5:24PM0.43m | 4:59AM0.30m | 6:26PM0.52m | 5:44AM0.39m | 7:51PM0.57m | 6:49AM0.45m | 9:27PM0.54m | 8:16AM0.47m | 10:34PM0.47m | |||||||
 |  | |  |  |  | |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — |
mm | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 22 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 19 |
Feels °C | 16 | 19 | 18 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 21 | 19 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 6 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | NE 5 | ENE 6 | E 13 | NE 13 | NE 8 | NE 13 | E 12 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 10 | S 11 | SSE 10 | S 10 | S 9 |
| kJ | 33 | 64 | 38 | 47 | 12 | 4 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 288 | 189 | 127 | 175 | 148 | 149 | 110 | 70 | 42 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 11 | E 6 | E 14 | SSE 10 | NNE 5 | S 17 | — | NE 13 | NE 13 | S 19 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SSE 16 | E 8 | E 8 |
| kJ | 97 | 16 | 4 | 18 | 5 | 6 | — | 7 | 7 | 7 | 125 | 116 | 96 | 44 | 26 | 12 | 26 | 1 | 1 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 11 | N 12 | E 12 | E 14 | — | — | — | — | — | E 8 | SSE 19 | SSE 18 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | SSE 17 | E 8 | S 17 | S 17 |
| kJ | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 36 | 106 | 95 | 84 | 57 | 1 | 5 | 6 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 3 | NNE 5 | NNW 4 | S 7 | SSE 8 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | — | — | — | — | NE 3 | N 4 | NNE 4 | NNE 4 | N 5 |
| kJ | — | 5 | 56 | 27 | 688 | 1385 | 2990 | 1898 | 1455 | 838 | — | — | — | — | 5 | 6 | 4 | 46 | 36 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 19 | 1720 | 7 | 264 | 1324 | 190 | 7 | 266 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 7 | 45 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 2 |
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.
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