Surf Forecasts:
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), 10s period, SSE swell with 651 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 0.8m 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 10s 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 1.8m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 30) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (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 Powerful | 10AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Broken Head over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it. This is a real quiet stretch ahead for Broken Head. The next couple of weeks are mostly flat or small, and the wind is frequently messy. You’ll need to pick your windows carefully.
The water’s sitting at 68°, which is pretty standard for this time of year – nothing unusual there.
Across the first week, Saturday the 29th of August has a small 3 ft SSE swell pushing in, cross-off wind from the SSE, but it’s just not enough to get excited about. The wave energy is low (276), and it’s a marginal call. Sunday the 30th picks up a bit more juice – 6 ft early, SSE swell, and the energy jumps to 693, which is moderate. But the wind is still cross-off, so it’s not glassy. Still, it’s the biggest of the early days.
The real standout is the Monday morning of the 31st of August. We’ve got a 4 ft SSE swell with offshore wind from the SSW at 9 mph. That’s a clean, workable wave for a beginner-friendly point break. The swell direction is close to the optimum ENE, and the energy is moderate (360). It’s not pumping, but it’s the best you’ll see in this run.
Then Tuesday the 1st of September morning is glassy – 3 ft SSE swell, light air, clean. But it’s tiny. After that, from Wednesday the 2nd right through to the end of the 16-day window, it’s mostly poor conditions. Small waves, poor wind, and the energy drops to weak numbers (often under 100). There’s a brief spike on Thursday the 10th of September afternoon – a 5 ft SSE swell with a 13-second period and moderate energy (802) – but the wind is cross-on, so it’s a messy one. Not a surfer’s day.
Honestly, if you’re desperate, Monday the 31st of August morning is your best shot. After that, it’s a long wait for anything decent. Might be more interesting for the kite crew than paddle surfing on the bigger, wind-affected days.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon morning, min 14°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Thu morning, min 16°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | ||||||||||||||
PM | 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) | SSE 10 | E 8 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | N 5 | SSE 10 | E 9 | E 9 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
218 | 36 | 651 | 409 | 312 | 240 | 238 | 157 | 167 | 71 | 68 | 70 | 48 | 45 | 45 | 44 | 29 | 35 | 28 | 27 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | glassy | on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off |
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 | 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 | ||||||||
— | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | |
5:29 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | |
mm | — | 3 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 23 | 22 | 19 | 27 | 27 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 19 |
Feels °C | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 21 | 19 | 16 | 24 | 23 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | SSE 10 | E 9 | E 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | NNE 5 | E 9 | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | S 10 |
218 | 36 | 36 | 43 | 312 | 39 | 22 | 157 | 167 | 114 | 154 | 116 | 85 | 57 | 19 | 44 | 18 | 23 | 26 | 52 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | NE 10 | N 10 | E 9 | E 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 17 | SSE 15 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | S 10 | SSE 10 | ENE 9 | SSE 10 | S 10 | NNE 5 |
56 | 4 | 2 | 42 | 41 | 17 | 95 | 89 | 73 | 71 | 68 | 70 | 48 | 45 | 56 | 33 | 29 | 35 | 52 | 15 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | — | E 15 | NE 15 | S 17 | SSE 18 | E 12 | E 11 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | NE 11 | NNE 4 | NE 11 | NE 11 | E 9 | SSE 13 | SSE 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 |
2 | — | 4 | 8 | 23 | 64 | 3 | 36 | 48 | 45 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 45 | 17 | 19 | 28 | 28 | 27 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 4 | SSE 6 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 6 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | — | — | ENE 2 | NNE 4 | N 4 | NNE 4 | N 4 | — | NNE 5 | N 5 | — | SSE 4 | — |
32 | 222 | 651 | 409 | 107 | 240 | 238 | — | — | 1 | 11 | 11 | 21 | 17 | — | 23 | 28 | — | 4 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 8 | 20 | 7 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 264 | 7 | 2 | 166 | 7 | 2 | 153 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Coast - New South Wales | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.











