Broken Head Surf Break

Lat Long: 28.71° S 153.62° E

Broken Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 pm 05 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Broken Head sea temperature is
20.1° C
0.5° 

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 5 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 12 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 12s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 12 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 12s period, SSE swell with 545 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 6 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 8s period with ESE 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 Thursday (Aug 06) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 4s. 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 12s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 12) 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 1.3m 12s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Thu 6th Aug)2ft (0.6m) 8s
Best Surf10AM (Wed 12th Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 12s
Most Powerful10AM (Wed 12th Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 12s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. We’ve got a bit of a slow start at Broken Head, but there’s a solid run of good waves coming later.

The water’s sitting at 68°F, which is pretty much average for this time of year—nothing unusual there.

This first week is a bit of a tease. Wednesday afternoon kicks things off with a weak 2ft ESE swell and a onshore breeze – not worth paddling out. Thursday morning sees the wind swing offshore from the SW, but the swell is tiny at 2ft from the ENE with a short period of 7 seconds, and the energy is weak (68). The afternoon is much the same—clean, but small and ordinary. Friday morning offers clean 3ft ENE swell with the same short period and light offshore wind, but it’s still pretty average. Friday afternoon the wind goes cross-on and it’s poor.

Saturday morning is the pick of the early days: clean, offshore SW wind with a 3ft ENE swell and slightly better period, giving moderate energy (128). Still not a standout, but surfable. Saturday afternoon the swell pushes to 4ft from the east with a 9-second period, energy ramps up to 220, but it’s cross-shore. Sunday the wind gets messy and it’s not worth it. Monday morning we see a bump in size at 6ft from the north with a very short period of 6 seconds, but it’s cross-offshore and clean – marginal at best. Monday afternoon cleans up with 3ft easterly swell and light wind – decent conditions but small.

Tuesday the 11th has a moment of pure glass in the morning with a 3ft ENE swell, but it’s very weak energy (127). The rest of the week stays small and ordinary, with the odd offshore window but nothing to get excited about.

Now, the real action kicks off on Friday the 14th. We see a big jump in energy to 662 with a 6ft SSE swell, but the period is short at 7 seconds and it’s rain showers – marginal. The afternoon pushes to 7ft from the SSE with an 11-second period and energy hits 948, but it’s still just marginal. Saturday the 15th is promising: morning brings clean 4ft SSE swell with a 10-second period, gentle offshore wind, and decent energy (487). It’s a good window.

But the true standout is Wednesday the 19th. Both morning and afternoon serve up 7ft and 7ft SSE swells with a long 12-second period and very strong energy (1335 and 1348). Winds are light offshore to cross-offshore. This is a proper groundswell, and at a point break like Broken Head that length of period will wrap in beautifully—expect clean, well-shaped waves. It’s on the bigger side, over 7ft, so this one’s for the experienced crew. Crowds can be likely here, but with conditions this good it’ll be worth the company.

Thursday the 20th morning holds a 6ft SSE swell, still with that long 12-second period and glassy conditions under a light WSW wind – excellent for experienced surfers again.

The last few days of the outlook fade back to small, ordinary surf.

So, the best on offer: Wednesday the 19th and Thursday the 20th are the clear standouts. The long-period SSE groundswell with clean winds will make for some proper waves at Broken Head.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed night, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun morning, min 10°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the N on Sun night, calm by Tue morning).

Thursday
6
Friday
7
Saturday
8
Sunday
9
Monday
10
Tuesday
11
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
0
2
0
0
0
1
2
1
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)
0.6
ESE
8
0.6
ENE
7
0.6
ENE
7
0.6
ENE
7
0.7
ENE
7
0.8
ENE
7
0.6
SSE
10
0.9
ENE
8
1.1
E
9
1.2
E
9
1.3
E
9
1.2
E
9
1
E
9
2.1
NNW
6
0.9
E
9
0.8
E
9
0.8
E
9
0.8
E
9
0.8
E
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
54
30
30
30
49
69
77
85
185
225
293
246
165
331
130
110
110
110
113
Wind (km/h)
15
W
10
SW
10
SSE
10
WSW
10
SW
10
E
5
WSW
10
SSW
10
ESE
5
NNW
15
N
25
NNE
35
N
25
W
15
WSW
15
SW
0
W
15
NNE
10
NW
Wind State
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-on
cross-off
off
cross
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
off
glassy
on
cross
High Tide
00:30AM1.17m
1:43PM1.30m
1:40AM1.03m
2:59PM1.38m
3:07AM0.94m
4:14PM1.50m
4:31AM0.93m
5:19PM1.64m
5:40AM0.98m
6:15PM1.78m
6:35AM1.05m
7:05PM1.87m
Low Tide
6:56AM0.21m
8:05PM0.49m
7:57AM0.25m
9:46PM0.45m
9:09AM0.25m
11:11PM0.34m
10:21AM0.20m
00:14AM0.22m
11:25AM0.11m
1:05AM0.11m
12:20PM0.03m
1:49AM0.04m
part cloud
cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:24
6:24
6:24
6:22
6:22
6:20
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:16
5:16
5:17
5:19
5:19
5:20
 mm
Temp °C
18
17
17
16
17
17
16
17
17
16
19
18
17
18
19
13
16
16
15
Feels °C
15
15
15
15
15
16
16
15
15
15
15
13
11
12
14
8
13
12
12
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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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