Surf Forecasts:
Broken Head surf forecast from 11 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 18 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, SSE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 10s period, SSE swell with 4,030 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 9s 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 Sunday (Sep 13) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 7s. 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 4.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) 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 5.0m 11s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 15ft (4.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Broken Head over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, it’s Rusty here. Alright, let’s talk about Broken Head in feet and miles per hour, because that’s how we feel it.
The first week is a real grind. From Saturday the 12th right through to the end of Wednesday the 16th, you’re looking at tiny waves and mostly rubbish wind. Morning windows might be clean, but the swell is just barely there – mostly under 4-5ft with a short period. The combined swell energy is weak, sitting under 400 all week. Sunday the 13th morning has a small 4ft cross-shore SSE swell at 10 seconds, but it’s a bit bumpy. Monday the 14th morning is glassy with a 3ft SSE swell at 10 seconds, but it’s too small to get excited about. Honestly, you’re just waiting.
The switch flips on Thursday the 17th. A big, raw SSE swell jumps to 13ft at 11 seconds with strong S winds at 22 mph. The energy jumps to 3970 (very strong). It’s big, messy, and only for the well-practiced. Not the one to plan a trip around.
Friday the 18th is the real standout. The swell drops to a still-sizable 12ft from the SSE at 10 seconds, energy at 2429 (strong), and the wind turns offshore from the SW at 9 mph. Clean, powerful, lined-up sets – this is the session for experienced surfers. Beginners should stay well clear. By the afternoon, it holds at 10ft with a 12-second period and energy at 4512, still clean under a cross-off wind.
After that, Saturday the 19th has leftover 8ft SE groundswell at 12 seconds, but it’s onshore and messy. The following week drops back into small, onshore slop – under 3ft and weak.
Water temperature is 69°F, about 1°F cooler than normal – pretty much what you’d expect.
Bottom line: suffer through the first week, then get ready for Friday the 18th. That’s the day. Everything else is just checking the app.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Warm (max 20°C on Sat morning, min 14°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 23°C on Tue morning, min 13°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSW on Tue night, strong winds from the S by Wed afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 9 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | NNE 5 | ENE 6 | E 6 | E 13 | NE 13 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SE 12 | SE 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 346 | 289 | 132 | 391 | 235 | 188 | 216 | 146 | 97 | 64 | 56 | 39 | 20 | 4 | 7 | 3970 | 3330 | 2925 | 2423 | 2257 | 2335 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | glassy | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:38PM1.58m | 9:03AM1.46m | 9:12PM1.44m | 9:41AM1.46m | 9:46PM1.29m | 10:20AM1.43m | 10:20PM1.14m | 11:03AM1.36m | 10:58PM1.00m | 11:54AM1.29m | 11:46PM0.89m | 12:58PM1.22m | 1:01AM0.81m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:25PM0.04m | 2:54AM0.02m | 3:07PM0.12m | 3:23AM0.07m | 3:50PM0.21m | 3:53AM0.13m | 4:34PM0.32m | 4:24AM0.21m | 5:24PM0.43m | 4:59AM0.30m | 6:26PM0.52m | 5:44AM0.39m | 7:51PM0.57m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | |  | | | | | | | |  |  | | | | | | | |
 | 5:48 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — |
 | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — |
mm | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 23 | 21 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 |
Feels °C | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 20 | 17 | 16 | 12 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SSE 19 | ESE 7 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 10 | SSE 10 | ENE 6 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | ENE 6 | N 5 | E 13 | NE 13 | — | — | NE 12 | NE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 |
| kJ | 346 | 73 | 91 | 391 | 235 | 188 | 216 | 146 | 31 | 64 | 56 | 39 | 14 | 4 | 7 | — | — | 6 | 6 | 2257 | 2335 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 19 | E 13 | SSE 9 | SSE 20 | SSE 18 | SSE 16 | E 10 | E 10 | SSE 11 | E 6 | E 12 | SSE 10 | E 6 | — | — | — | — | S 18 | — | — | SSE 18 |
| kJ | 37 | 14 | 132 | 129 | 65 | 25 | 8 | 2 | 97 | 15 | 3 | 18 | 20 | — | — | — | — | 7 | — | — | 32 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 14 | E 9 | SSE 18 | E 13 | E 8 | E 10 | E 12 | NE 12 | E 10 | E 14 | E 15 | E 12 | E 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 16 | 2 | 110 | 13 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 5 | NNW 2 | N 3 | NNE 5 | NNW 4 | S 6 | S 9 | S 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SE 11 | S 10 |
| kJ | — | 289 | — | — | — | — | — | 17 | 1 | 2 | 56 | 27 | 209 | 2089 | 3919 | 3970 | 3330 | 2925 | 2423 | 2255 | 332 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 8 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 264 | 2 | 86 | 685 | 7 | 264 | 1324 | 65 | 60 | 266 | 60 | 0 | 8 | 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.
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