Broken Head Surf Break

Lat Long: 28.71° S 153.62° E

Broken Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 pm 20 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Broken Head sea temperature is
20.2° 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 20 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 26 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s period, ENE swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s period, ENE swell with 215 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 7s period with ENE 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 Saturday (Aug 22) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 0.7m and 4s 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 1.3m 8s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 7s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Sat 22nd Aug)2.5ft (0.7m) 7s
Best Surf10AM (Wed 26th Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 8s
Most Powerful10AM (Wed 26th Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 8s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s on the menu for the next couple of weeks.

The first week is a bit of a slow cooker, but things start to look up heading into the second week. The water temperature is sitting about average for this time of year, so nothing wild there.

The main game in town is Broken Head. It’s a point break, pretty consistent, and needs an ENE swell to really get going. The offshore wind is from the SW, so when that kicks in, it’ll clean things up nicely. Crowds are possible, so keep that in mind.

Right out of the gate, Friday the 21st and Saturday the 22nd look pretty ordinary. Small, weak swell around 2 ft to 3 ft, a short period, and cross-onshore winds making a mess. Energy is low, around 88 to 126. Not worth paddling out, honestly.

Sunday the 23rd shows a bit of life. Still only 3 ft, but the wind goes light offshore (SSW at 6 mph) and the waves clean up. It’s only a 1 out of 10, but it’s surfable. Energy is still weak at 88. Monday the 24th morning has a cleaner, longer period swell (12 seconds) from the SSE, but it’s tiny at 2 ft with moderate energy (150). You’d be scratching for a ride.

Tuesday the 25th and Wednesday the 26th see a slight bump in size to 3 ft–4 ft, but the period stays short. The standout moment in the first week is Wednesday morning, August 26th. The wind goes glassy, the swell is 4 ft from the ENE, and energy gets up to 215. This is the best we’ve seen – clean, glassy, and actually fun. A good morning to be in the water.

The rest of the week into early September stays small, with a few more glassy or offshore windows. Friday the 28th morning is glassy with 3 ft, and Sunday the 30th morning has a fresh offshore wind (SW at 19 mph) with 5 ft swell, but it’s a short period and marginal. Energy jumps to 282, so there’s some push, but it’s messy.

Then we hit the second week. The real highlight comes on Tuesday, September 1st morning. Glassy conditions again, 4 ft from the east with a 9-second period, and energy at 225. This is a solid, clean session. Wednesday afternoon, September 2nd, also looks good with 4 ft and clean conditions from a cross-offshore SSE wind.

Thursday, September 3rd is the pick of the entire forecast. Both morning and afternoon have 3 ft swell from the east with a nice 11-second period, clean cross-off winds, and energy up around 235–242. That’s proper groundswell, well-shaped, and clean. This is the one to circle.

After that, it tails off into the weekend with smaller, weaker stuff. The long-range looks promising but a bit less certain.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sat morning, min 16°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Warm (max 21°C on Tue morning, min 15°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
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
ENE
7
0.8
ENE
7
0.6
ENE
7
0.6
ENE
7
0.8
ENE
7
0.7
ENE
7
0.9
ENE
7
0.8
ENE
8
0.8
ENE
8
0.8
ENE
7
0.5
SSE
12
0.9
ENE
8
1.2
ENE
8
1
ENE
9
1.1
ENE
8
1.3
ENE
8
1.3
ENE
8
1.3
ENE
8
0.9
ENE
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
99
59
31
35
59
49
79
80
64
61
87
94
176
158
176
201
215
178
99
Wind (km/h)
10
N
10
N
20
NNE
15
N
10
NNW
10
N
5
WSW
10
SSW
10
SSE
5
W
5
S
10
E
5
NNW
10
NNE
20
NNE
25
N
5
NNE
10
WSW
20
W
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
glassy
off
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
1:26AM0.85m
3:05PM1.21m
3:01AM0.80m
4:16PM1.27m
4:25AM0.83m
5:11PM1.35m
5:23AM0.89m
5:54PM1.45m
6:06AM0.97m
6:31PM1.55m
6:44AM1.05m
7:04PM1.62m
Low Tide
7:36AM0.40m
10:07PM0.59m
8:54AM0.42m
11:16PM0.51m
10:07AM0.38m
00:01AM0.41m
11:04AM0.31m
00:36AM0.32m
11:49AM0.23m
1:08AM0.23m
12:29PM0.16m
1:38AM0.16m
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
thunderstorm
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:11
6:11
6:09
6:09
6:07
6:07
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:24
5:24
5:25
5:25
5:27
5:27
 mm
2
1
3
2
Temp °C
17
19
18
17
21
19
19
18
19
17
18
18
17
21
20
19
20
21
16
Feels °C
15
15
14
13
19
17
18
18
18
18
17
17
17
19
18
17
20
20
11
  • Map Icons:
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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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