
Surf Forecasts:
Broken Head surf forecast from 28 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 1 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 11s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 1 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 11s period, SSE swell with 531 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 29 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 6s period with E 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 (Jul 29) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Broken Head in the next 16 days are 1.6m 11s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 01) 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 1.5m 7s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 30) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1PM (Wed 29th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Sat 1st Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Sat 1st Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Broken Head over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a proper look at what’s coming our way over the next couple of weeks.
We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but hang tight because there’s a solid pulse of energy moving in that’ll make it worth the wait. The first few days are pretty quiet, with only small, weak waves and not much to get excited about. That changes come Friday the 31st.
Friday morning, July 31st – we finally see a proper groundswell show up. Swell from the SSE at 3 ft, but with a period of 13 seconds, that’s a long-period groundswell with proper energy (237). The wind is offshore from the SSW, so Broken Head is going to be clean and lined up. It’s a point break, so that long-period swell will wrap in nicely. This is a good one for the beginners too, given the size. Crowds are often a thing here, but on a Friday morning, you might get lucky.
Saturday, August 1st – the swell is building. Morning sees 5 ft from the SSE with an 11-second period and combined energy cranking up to 601. That’s moderate wave energy with some real push. The wind is cross-off from the SSE, so the waves will be clean. This is a standout. The size is getting into the intermediate range, but still very manageable for a confident beginner. The afternoon drops off a bit, so the morning session is the one to aim for.
Sunday, August 2nd – another cracker. Swell holding at 5 ft from the SSE, period of 10 seconds, and energy at 679 (still moderate). The wind is offshore from the SW in the morning, and then it goes glassy in the afternoon with zero wind. That Sunday afternoon session is going to be absolutely beautiful – clean, glassy conditions, set waves rolling through. That’s your best bet of the whole outlook.
Monday, August 3rd – the morning is glassy again, with 5 ft SSE swell and 11-second period. Energy is still solid at 469. The wind is calm, so it’s clean and inviting. The afternoon turns onshore, so get in early.
After that, the swell drops right back. From Tuesday the 4th through to Sunday the 9th, we’re back to small, weak surf with poor conditions. There’s a brief window on Sunday morning, August 9th with 4 ft from the SSE and offshore wind, but it’s nothing special.
Then we get a bit of a surprise on Monday morning, August 10th. A new swell from the north at 5 ft, but with a short period of 6 seconds. The energy is moderate (263), and the wind is glassy. That north swell is a bit of an odd direction for Broken Head, but with glassy conditions, it could offer some fun, lumpy little waves. The afternoon gets ruined by strong cross-onshore wind.
The tail end of the outlook, Thursday, August 13th, shows another pulse. 6 ft from the SSE, but period is only 8 seconds, so it’s a windswell, not a groundswell. The morning is glassy, and the energy is moderate (440). It’s surfable, but that short period will make it a bit sectiony and fat on the point. Still, clean waves at 6 ft on a point break is a good way to end the 16-day window.
The water temperature is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
The real standouts are Sunday morning and afternoon, August 2nd. That’s clean, glassy, solid groundswell at 5 ft. That’s the one to circle on the calendar. Saturday morning the 1st is the runner-up.
This is Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Wed morning, min 12°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | ||||||||||||||
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) | E 6 | E 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 5 | NE 7 | NE 7 | SSE 11 | SSE 13 | ENE 7 | SSE 6 | SSE 11 | E 6 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
15 | 15 | 18 | 11 | 22 | 26 | 198 | 204 | 27 | 139 | 531 | 66 | 363 | 377 | 469 | 508 | 433 | 314 | 188 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | glassy | off | glassy | cross | glassy | on | cross |
High Tide | 7:45AM1.03m | 8:09PM1.67m | 8:20AM1.08m | 8:41PM1.69m | 8:55AM1.12m | 9:12PM1.69m | 9:32AM1.15m | 9:44PM1.65m | 10:10AM1.18m | 10:17PM1.57m | 10:52AM1.21m | 10:54PM1.46m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:14AM0.21m | 1:29PM0.12m | 2:45AM0.17m | 2:05PM0.10m | 3:16AM0.13m | 2:40PM0.11m | 3:47AM0.10m | 3:17PM0.14m | 4:18AM0.09m | 3:56PM0.20m | 4:51AM0.10m | 4:39PM0.27m | |||||||
— | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 21 | 21 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 16 |
Feels °C | 15 | 18 | 19 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | E 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 5 | NE 7 | NE 7 | SSE 11 | SSE 13 | S 12 | S 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 |
44 | 15 | 18 | 11 | 22 | 26 | 198 | 204 | 341 | 284 | 531 | 452 | 363 | 377 | 469 | 508 | 433 | 314 | 188 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | E 12 | E 6 | E 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 5 | SSE 15 | E 6 | E 7 | E 7 | E 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 |
15 | 28 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 13 | 21 | 30 | 27 | 9 | 18 | 21 | 52 | 74 | 131 | 95 | 36 | 39 | 41 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SSE 7 | NNE 7 | S 14 | S 15 | NE 7 | E 13 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 6 | E 18 | SE 15 | SE 14 | SSE 15 | — | S 22 | E 12 | ESE 12 |
12 | 12 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 16 | 3 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 6 | 56 | 169 | 21 | — | 9 | 27 | 29 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | S 5 | S 7 | S 6 | S 9 | S 6 | SSE 6 | ESE 5 | E 6 | — | E 6 | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | 62 | 202 | 79 | 325 | 94 | 139 | 42 | 66 | — | 59 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 2 | 334 | 220 | 19 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 143 | 2 |
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.










