Broken Head Surf Break

Lat Long: 28.71° S 153.62° E

Broken Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 am 29 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 29 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 7s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 30 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 9s period, SSE swell with 605 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 30 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 7s 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 (Aug 30) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m and 9s is also forecast. 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 1.9m 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 1.1m 6s period and expected on Monday (Aug 31) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Sun 30th Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 7s
Best Surf 7PM (Sun 30th Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 7s
Most Powerful10AM (Sun 30th Aug)6ft (1.9m) 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. The outlook starts with a pretty solid run of clean, surfable waves from the get-go, before things drop right off into a long flat spell through the middle of the forecast. There’s a big gap from around Tuesday afternoon right through to the following Tuesday morning with no real surf to speak of, but then a powerful late-season groundswell shows up in the second week – definitely one to keep an eye on.

Alright, so we kick off Saturday morning, the 29th of August. The water’s sitting at 69°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year – nothing unusual there. Swell’s coming from the SSE at 4ft, with a period of 10 seconds, giving a moderate combined energy of 378. The wind is a light S cross-off, so the waves will be clean and lined up. It’s a solid start for the weekend.

Saturday afternoon drops a touch, with the swell easing to 3ft from the same direction, though the wind picks up to a moderate SSE cross-off. Still clean, but the score drops off a bit.

Sunday morning, the 30th, the swell bumps up to 6ft from the SSE, period 9 seconds, and combined energy jumps to 647 – moderate but getting some push. Wind is a moderate S cross-off, so it’ll be a bit bumpy but still surfable. Sunday afternoon holds at 5ft, similar conditions.

Monday morning, the 31st of August, is a standout for the first week. Swell’s 5ft from the SSE, 9-second period, with 425 energy. The wind swings to a moderate SSW offshore, giving clean, groomed faces. This is the pick of the early period – a solid head-high wave with proper offshore texture.

Monday afternoon sees the swell drop to 5ft and the wind go cross-off again, but it’s a bit less consistent.

Tuesday morning, the 1st of September, is tiny – 3ft, period 8 seconds, energy down to 199. Wind is light SSW cross-off, so it’s clean but barely worth a paddle. Tuesday afternoon goes onshore, and that’s the end of the first run.

Then we hit a big dry spell. From Wednesday the 2nd through to the following Tuesday morning, the 8th of September, the swell is tiny – between 0.7ft and 2ft – with poor winds and mostly onshore or cross-onshore conditions. The energy is weak, often under 100. There’s a glassy morning on Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th, but with only 1ft to 2ft of swell, it’s barely a ripple. Save your energy.

Now, the real highlight of the entire outlook is Wednesday morning, the 9th of September. This is one for the experienced crew. A big SSE groundswell rolls in at 6ft, with a very long period of 16 seconds. The combined energy hits 1299 – strong, powerful stuff. Wind is light WSW offshore, so the waves will be clean and well-shaped. This is a true groundswell, so at a point break like Broken Head, it’ll set up beautifully. But with that size and power, it’s strictly for the experts. The period is long enough that the sets will be spaced out, making the paddle out easier, but the wave face will have plenty of grunt.

Wednesday afternoon drops to 5ft, period 14 seconds, energy 1024, but the wind goes cross-shore, so it’s a bit more mixed.

Thursday morning, the 10th, has a clean 3ft swell from the SSE with a 14-second period and 363 energy – light offshore wind, so nice and clean for the more moderate crowd.

Friday morning, the 11th of September, is another beauty. Swell’s 5ft from the SSE, 12-second period, energy 663. The wind is glassy – a light easterly, barely a breath. That’ll give you smooth, clean lines. A solid option for the experienced surfer.

Saturday morning, the 12th, sees the swell back to 4ft, 12-second period, but the wind is light cross-shore, so it’s not as clean. After that, the swell fades quickly, and by Sunday afternoon it’s back to tiny, poor conditions.

So, the standout picks are Monday morning, the 31st of August, for the offshore wind and solid 5ft swell, and Wednesday morning, the 9th of September, for the big, long-period groundswell – but that one’s for the advanced crew only. The long gap in between is a bummer, but that’s how it goes sometimes.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat morning, min 14°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Thu morning, min 16°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
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
1
1
2
2
2
2
1
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
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)
1.3
SSE
10
1
SSE
10
1.8
SSE
6
1.9
SSE
9
1.6
SSE
9
1.3
SSE
10
1.5
SSE
9
1.4
SSE
8
1.1
SSE
8
0.8
SSE
8
0.8
SSE
11
0.6
E
10
0.6
E
10
0.6
E
10
0.5
E
9
0.5
E
9
0.5
E
9
0.4
ENE
9
0.4
E
10
0.5
SSE
10
0.4
E
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
320
218
237
605
418
312
329
238
157
87
150
68
70
68
45
45
45
29
28
59
27
Wind (km/h)
15
S
20
SSE
20
S
20
S
20
S
10
SW
20
SSW
15
SSE
10
SW
5
SSW
15
NE
15
NNW
5
NNW
20
NNE
15
NNW
5
NW
20
NNE
10
NNW
5
SSE
20
N
10
NNW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross
High Tide
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
1:25PM1.38m
1:39AM0.89m
Low Tide
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
6:22AM0.27m
8:17PM0.45m
part cloud
clear
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
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
5:56
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:29
5:29
5:30
5:30
5:30
5:30
5:31
 mm
1
Temp °C
19
18
17
18
18
17
19
18
17
19
18
17
23
21
19
26
25
21
25
27
22
Feels °C
16
15
14
14
15
15
16
16
17
18
16
15
22
18
17
24
22
19
23
24
19
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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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