Broken Head Surf Break

Lat Long: 28.71° S 153.62° E

Broken Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 am 17 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Broken Head sea temperature is
19.8° C
0.7° 

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 16 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 11s period, ESE swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 11s period, ESE swell with 838 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 9s 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Broken Head in the next 16 days are 1.9m 11s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 8s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Wed 19th Aug)6ft (1.8m) 9s
Best Surf 7AM (Wed 19th Aug)6ft (1.9m) 11s
Most Powerful 7AM (Wed 19th Aug)6ft (1.9m) 11s

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


The Lowdown

Righto, let’s have a look at Broken Head. This is a point break that works best when the swell comes from the ENE, and it’s generally a consistent, beginner-friendly wave, but you’ll often find a few other surfers in the water here.

This first week is rough. Monday the 17th and Tuesday the 18th bring some chest-to-head-high swell, around 6ft to 6ft, out of the ESE and SE mainly, but the wind is a problem – cross or cross-on breezes keep it all choppy and messy. The combined energy is moderate, around 365 to 531, but the quality is poor. Not worth getting wet for.

Wednesday morning the 19th is the real highlight of the whole outlook. The swell drops to a clean 5ft, but the period stretches to a nice long 11 seconds, and we get a light south wind at 3 mph that’s cross-offshore – that means clean, glassy faces. The combined energy is solid at 582 (moderate to strong). For a point break, long-period groundswell like this brings power and shape. But it’s just a one-session deal; by afternoon the wind shifts and it goes marginal.

Thursday the 20th morning looks clean again with an offshore southwest breeze at 3 mph, and swell is 6ft from the ESE with an 8-second period. Energy is moderate at 327. It’s surfable and clean, but the swell direction isn’t ideal for this spot’s best angle (ENE). It’s a decent but not peak session. Then it falls apart in the afternoon with onshore wind.

From Friday the 21st through to the 24th, we hit a dead patch. Swell drops under 3ft, winds are mostly cross-on or onshore, and energy numbers drop to weak (81 to 160). There’s a brief glassy moment on the morning of the 23rd, but with only 3ft and short period, it’s more of a longboard day. That near-flat spell lasts several days.

From the 25th to the 28th, the size stays tiny – mostly under 3ft – with short period. There are some clean mornings with offshore or cross-off winds, but the waves lack any real push. Energy stays below 183 (weak to low-moderate). Not worth the drive unless you’re just keen for a paddle.

Then on the 29th of August, we see a pulse: 7ft from the NNE hits in the morning, but the period is a short 7 seconds and the wind is cross-onshore – total mess. By afternoon it drops to 5ft from the north, still short period, and still cross-shore with chop. Combined energy is strong at 517, but the quality is junk.

From the 30th of August through to the 1st of September, we get consistent chest-high swell (4ft to 4ft) from the ENE – the right direction – but the east-northeast wind blows 12 to 16 mph onshore or cross-onshore, wrecking any chance of clean surf. Energy is moderate at 204 to 263, but it’s all blown out.

The standout: No doubt it’s Wednesday morning the 19th of August. Clean, long-period groundswell, light offshore wind, and chest-high sets. For beginners, nothing here gets too big (mostly under 7ft), but the quality is scarce. If you’re just starting out, that tiny glassy Sunday the 23rd morning could be fun for a paddle.

The water temp is around 68°, which is about average for this time of year.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Mon night. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon morning, min 14°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sat morning, min 15°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
17
Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
AM
PM
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
1
1
2
3
1
2
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
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)
1.8
ESE
7
1.9
SE
8
1.9
SE
8
1.9
SE
8
1.9
ESE
8
1.4
SE
9
1.5
SE
11
1.4
SE
10
1.5
ESE
8
1.7
ESE
8
1.2
E
7
0.9
NE
7
1
ENE
7
0.9
E
7
1
ENE
7
0.9
ENE
7
1
ENE
8
1
ENE
8
0.9
ENE
8
0.9
ENE
8
1
ENE
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
334
407
402
485
493
287
505
412
250
327
155
75
102
79
99
68
119
130
85
83
136
Wind (km/h)
20
ESE
20
ESE
15
SE
15
SE
15
SE
5
SE
5
S
10
SE
5
WSW
5
SW
10
NE
10
N
15
N
20
NNE
15
NNW
10
NNW
10
NNE
5
WNW
5
SW
5
E
5
NNW
Wind State
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
off
off
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
glassy
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
11:00AM1.32m
10:58PM1.28m
11:48AM1.28m
11:35PM1.11m
12:42PM1.24m
00:20AM0.96m
1:49PM1.21m
1:26AM0.85m
3:05PM1.21m
3:01AM0.80m
4:16PM1.27m
4:25AM0.83m
5:11PM1.35m
Low Tide
4:57PM0.32m
5:17AM0.18m
5:49PM0.45m
5:52AM0.26m
6:54PM0.56m
6:36AM0.34m
8:25PM0.62m
7:36AM0.40m
10:07PM0.59m
8:54AM0.42m
11:16PM0.51m
10:07AM0.38m
00:01AM0.41m
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
part cloud
rain showers
clear
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:16
6:15
6:13
6:13
6:11
6:11
6:09
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:22
5:22
5:23
5:23
5:24
5:24
5:25
 mm
1
3
1
1
4
1
Temp °C
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
16
18
18
17
20
19
17
21
19
18
19
19
18
Feels °C
14
14
14
14
14
15
16
16
16
17
15
15
17
16
13
20
17
18
19
19
18
  • 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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