Broken Head Surf Break

Lat Long: 28.71° S 153.62° E

Broken Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 pm 11 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Broken Head sea temperature is
20.4° C
0.2° 

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 11 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 14 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 8s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, ESE swell with 824 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 12 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 9s 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 (Aug 12) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 9s period. 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 2.5m 8s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.1m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Wed 12th Aug)2.5ft (0.7m) 9s
Best Surf10PM (Fri 14th Aug)5ft (1.5m) 8s
Most Powerful 1AM (Wed 19th Aug)8ft (2.5m) 8s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the table for the next couple of weeks.

We’re starting off a bit slow, but there’s a real pulse building for the back half of the run. The first few days are pretty ordinary – small and clean enough for a longboard or a foamie, but nothing to get excited about. Wednesday the 12th through to Saturday the 15th are all pretty weak, with swell hanging around 1 ft to 2 ft. The wind is mostly offshore or cross-off in the mornings, which keeps it tidy, but the energy is just not there. Honestly, if you’re desperate for a paddle, Wednesday morning the 12th or Thursday morning the 13th are your best bets – clean, small, and light winds.

There’s a bit of a shift on Sunday the 16th afternoon, with a jump in swell to 5 ft from the SSE, but it’s only 6 seconds period. It’s messy, and the rain showers don’t help. Monday the 17th and Tuesday the 18th see the swell building further (7 ft to 7 ft from the SE), but the wind is cross-shore and the conditions are choppy. It’s not looking good for a clean wave – this setup is honestly more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

Now, the real standout starts to build from Wednesday the 19th afternoon. The swell is 8 ft from the ESE, period 9 seconds, and the combined energy is strong. The wind is gentle cross-shore, so it’s not perfect, but it’s getting there. Then Thursday the 20th and Friday the 21st are where it’s at. Thursday morning is the pick: 8 ft swell from the east, 10-second period, light cross-off breeze. That’s excellent for experienced surfers. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, so no need for a steamer, just a good 3/2.

Saturday the 22nd morning is another highlight – 7 ft from the east, 11-second period, and glassy conditions with a light NE breeze. This is a proper groundswell, and at Broken Head, a point break, that longer period will really wrap in and give some nice lines. The crowd factor is "often", so expect a few heads out, but it’ll be worth it.

After that, the swell drops off through the end of the month, with a few cleaner windows on Monday the 24th afternoon and Tuesday the 25th morning, but nothing that compares to that mid-week window. The last few days fade back to small and weak.

So, the standout is definitely Thursday the 20th and Saturday the 22nd. If you’re an experienced surfer, those are your sessions. For the beginners, the small clean mornings early on are your best bet.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Wed morning, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 24mm), heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat morning, min 13°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds.

Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
Sunday
16
Monday
17
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
0
0
1
0
1
1
0
2
0
0
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
E
9
0.7
E
9
0.7
E
9
0.7
E
9
0.6
E
9
0.5
E
9
0.5
E
9
0.5
E
9
0.5
E
9
1.5
SSE
7
0.4
ENE
9
0.4
ENE
9
1.7
SSE
7
0.4
ENE
10
1.6
SSE
6
1.1
ESE
6
1.1
ESE
6
2
SE
8
2.2
SE
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
87
83
85
83
61
43
43
43
43
198
28
29
285
32
218
69
86
492
588
Wind (km/h)
20
W
10
WSW
10
NNE
20
W
15
SW
15
SSE
15
SW
20
SW
20
S
15
SSW
25
SSW
30
S
20
S
20
SSW
15
SSE
10
SE
20
SE
20
SE
15
SE
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
on
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
High Tide
7:24AM1.13m
7:50PM1.91m
8:08AM1.21m
8:32PM1.88m
8:51AM1.27m
9:11PM1.78m
9:34AM1.31m
9:48PM1.64m
10:16AM1.33m
10:23PM1.46m
11:00AM1.32m
10:58PM1.28m
Low Tide
1:49AM0.04m
1:10PM-0.04m
2:28AM-0.00m
1:57PM-0.05m
3:05AM-0.01m
2:42PM-0.02m
3:40AM0.01m
3:26PM0.07m
4:12AM0.05m
4:11PM0.18m
4:44AM0.11m
4:57PM0.32m
clear
clear
cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
clear
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:20
6:20
6:18
6:18
6:16
6:16
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:20
5:21
5:21
5:22
5:22
5:22
 mm
2
1
3
2
2
10
2
2
5
Temp °C
16
20
18
15
18
18
16
17
17
17
18
18
16
17
17
16
17
18
17
Feels °C
12
18
15
10
14
14
13
13
14
15
12
13
12
14
14
14
13
14
14
  • 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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