Surf Forecasts:
Broken Head surf forecast from 16 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 18 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 10s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 10s period, SSE swell with 4,213 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 18 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 10s 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 Friday (Sep 18) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 12s. 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 4.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 10s period and expected on Friday (Sep 18) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 15ft (4.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Broken Head over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright crew, Rusty here again. Let’s talk about Broken Head in feet and Fahrenheit.
Water temp is 70°, which is right where you’d expect it to be for this time of year – totally normal, no weird shifts.
The first few days are a bit of a mixed bag. Wednesday 16th and Thursday 17th are showing some proper size – 10ft to 12ft – with a ton of energy in the water (combined energy in the thousands). But the wind is a stiff cross-off from the SSE, and the forecast warns of “marginal surf forecast or questionable tide conditions.” I’d call that a miss, unless you’ve got nothing better to do than wrestle with iffy conditions.
The first real standout is Friday morning, 18th September. We’ve got a 6ft SSE swell, a period of 9 seconds, combined energy of 641, and best of all – a light 6 mph offshore wind from the SSW. The point is going to be clean and lined up. This is your morning if you want a proper session. Just remember, the place gets a few heads in the water, so expect some company.
The afternoon goes onshore, but the next real treat is Monday morning, 21st September. The swell drops to 3ft, but the period jumps to a very long 19 seconds – that’s proper groundswell. And with a dead calm wind (0 mph, glassy as it gets), the point will be a dream. Combined energy is at 453. It’ll be small, but the rides will be long and silky. Again, expect a few others who also read the forecast.
From there, it’s a grim run. From Monday 21st right through to 1st October, it’s onshore winds, tiny swell, and poor conditions. There’s a brief moment on Sunday 20th morning with glassy conditions, but the swell is only 1ft, so not worth making the trip. The combined energy drops to 58. The second week is a write-off.
So here’s the plan: Friday morning, 18th September for size and offshore wind (6ft, clean). Monday morning, 21st September for the glassy, long-period beauty (small but perfect). After that, you can give your wetsuit a break for a week or so.
Keep it salty,
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 24°C on Sat morning, min 13°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the S on Wed night, calm by Sat morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Mon morning, min 17°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | Tuesday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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 8 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SSE 10 | SE 8 | SSE 19 | SSE 19 | SSE 18 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1173 | 4213 | 2810 | 1881 | 1172 | 633 | 435 | 153 | 138 | 93 | 47 | 37 | 20 | 383 | 406 | 174 | 73 | 68 | 195 | 478 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross | glassy | on | cross-off | glassy | on | cross | glassy | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:58PM1.00m | 11:54AM1.29m | 11:46PM0.89m | 12:58PM1.22m | 1:01AM0.81m | 2:17PM1.20m | 2:42AM0.79m | 3:31PM1.25m | 4:02AM0.85m | 4:28PM1.33m | 4:55AM0.93m | 5:12PM1.42m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:24PM0.43m | 4:59AM0.30m | 6:26PM0.52m | 5:44AM0.39m | 7:51PM0.57m | 6:49AM0.45m | 9:27PM0.54m | 8:16AM0.47m | 10:34PM0.47m | 9:34AM0.43m | 11:17PM0.37m | 10:32AM0.36m | 11:52PM0.28m | |||||||
 |  |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |  |  | |
 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — |
 | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — |
mm | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 |
Temp °C | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 24 | 21 | 19 | 23 | 22 | 19 | 24 | 23 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 |
Feels °C | 11 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 22 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 16 | 17 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 | — | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 8 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 19 | SSE 19 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 |
| kJ | 4 | 7 | 7 | 7 | — | 633 | 435 | 153 | 175 | 130 | 73 | 45 | 29 | 383 | 406 | 64 | 82 | 110 | 195 | 478 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 17 | — | — | NE 8 | E 12 | E 12 | NE 12 | S 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SSE 10 | SE 8 | S 11 | S 9 | SSE 18 | NNE 4 | N 5 | NNE 5 | NNE 4 |
| kJ | 6 | — | — | 2 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 126 | 138 | 91 | 41 | 37 | 20 | 119 | 39 | 174 | 16 | 20 | 8 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | NE 16 | N 16 | S 19 | SSE 18 | SSE 17 | SSE 17 | SSE 15 | SE 8 | S 10 | S 6 | SSE 12 | S 8 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | E 8 | SSE 19 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 10 | 5 | 7 | 63 | 95 | 93 | 47 | 21 | 19 | 7 | 47 | 20 | 73 | 68 | 1 | 37 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 8 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | — | — | NNW 3 | — | NNE 4 | — | — | NNE 5 | N 4 | — | NNE 4 | N 4 | — | S 4 | S 9 |
| kJ | 1173 | 4213 | 2810 | 1881 | 1172 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | 13 | 12 | — | 6 | 20 | — | 6 | 225 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1324 | 221 | 7 | 60 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 208 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 84 | 8 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Coast - New South Wales | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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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