Broken Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s look at what’s coming up for Broken Head over the next couple of weeks.

Water temp is 68°F, which is about average for this time of year – nothing unusual there. For the surf, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. There’s a few days of weak, poor-quality waves at the start, then a couple decent pulses, but mostly it’s a waiting game.

Friday 14th August starts off super tiny – only 1ft from the ENE. The south wind is cross-offshore, so it’s clean, but barely any energy (33). It’s a longboard or paddle day, not worth getting excited about.

Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th see a bump to 5–6ft, but it’s short-period junk from the SSE, around 6–7 seconds. That means it’s weak and messy, with energy still only moderate (230–418). Wind stays cross-offshore, so it’s clean enough for a surf, but the quality is marginal – tide could be an issue too. Rain showers likely, keeping crowds light, but the waves aren’t special.

Monday 17th gets bigger: 7ft from the ESE, period up to 8 seconds, energy moderate (472–505). Problem is, the wind swings ESE as well, turning it cross-shore with a chop. It’s got push, but the surface is messy. This looks more like a kite-surfing setup than a pure paddle session – the cross-shore breeze and bumpy conditions won’t do the wave faces any favors.

Tuesday 18th is the first real standout. Morning waves at 6ft from the SE, period 8 seconds, energy 491, and the wind drops to a light southerly cross-offshore (3 mph). It’s clean, with slight air – perfect for a session. Crowds are likely since it’s a fairly consistent spot, but the quality should make up for it. Afternoon gets smaller (5ft) and the wind turns cross-shore, so the morning window is your best bet.

Wednesday 19th is another solid option. Swell drops a bit to 4ft, but the period stretches to 11 seconds – that’s a proper groundswell, giving the waves more shape and energy (491). Light southerly cross-offshore wind (6 mph) keeps it clean. This is your pick of the first week. The longer period means it’ll break a bit straighter at a beach break like Broken Head, but overall quality is good. Afternoon gets a cross-shore breeze, so stick to the morning.

Thursday 20th fades to 3ft from the SE with period 9 seconds – surfable but ordinary. Energy drops to 182. Wind is light cross-offshore, but the lack of size makes it a quiet day.

From Friday 21st through Sunday 23rd, it turns poor. Swells bottom out around 2–3ft, with ENE direction and short periods (7–8 seconds). Energy is weak (70–133). Winds get cross-on or offshore but with moderate to fresh breezes, creating chop. Saturday 22nd morning offers a brief moment of glassy conditions with 2ft from the E, but energy is just 99 – it’s barely breaking.

Monday 24th through Thursday 27th is a painful flat spell. Swell drops to 1.0–3ft, energy as low as 14–93, and winds are mostly cross or cross-on with moderate blow. There’s nothing here – it’s a gap of four days with no worthwhile waves. Check the forecasts again; it often turns around.

Friday 28th August looks promising. Swell rebuilds to 5ft from the SSE, period up to 10 seconds, energy strong at 407–438. The morning has light SSW cross-offshore wind (6 mph) – clean conditions. This is a standout for the second week. The period is decent, and with wind off the land, expect lined-up, hollow-ish waves. Afternoon the wind picks up to 16 mph from the south, still cross-offshore, but the surface gets a bit more textured. Morning is the go. This is 14 days out, so a bit less certain – but it’s the best look on the horizon.

Saturday 29th still has 4–4ft from the SSE, period 9 seconds, energy moderate (245–275), but the southerly wind is stronger at 16 mph. It’s cross-offshore and clean, but the size is dropping. Not a standout, but a fun enough way to end the run.

Overall, aim for the mornings of Tuesday 18th and Wednesday 19th in the first week, and the morning of Friday 28th in the second week. That Wednesday morning with the 11-second groundswell is your best bet – clean, solid energy, and good shape for a point break setup like Broken Head. Don’t get too keen on the flat middle section; it’s a normal quiet spell for the area.

Rusty.

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