Surf Forecasts:
Broken Head surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 26 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s period, NE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 8s period, ENE swell with 250 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 15s 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 Monday (Aug 24) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 7s. 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 1.4m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Broken Head over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s ahead for Broken Head.
Alright, so the first week or so is a bit of a grind. We’ve got small waves and messy wind for most of it, but things do start to look up around the start of September. The real standout is shaping up for Wednesday the 2nd of September, with a potential gem on the 6th as well.
The first proper surfable window comes in on Monday morning, the 24th of August. Broken Head’s a point break, exposed to the ENE swell, and we’ve got a tiny 2ft SSE swell running with a 12-second period. The combined energy is weak (135), so it’s a small, clean wave with a light SSW offshore breeze. It’s surfable but very ordinary. The water temp is about average for this time of year.
Tuesday the 25th and Wednesday the 26th are a write-off. The wind goes cross-onshore and the swell stays small and weak, building to 4ft but with a short 7 to 8-second period and poor conditions. Thursday the 27th through to Saturday the 29th see a bit more clean surf in the mornings with cross-off winds, but the swell is still only 3ft to 3ft with moderate energy, and the scores are marginal at best. Sunday the 30th brings a stronger 3ft SSE swell with a 10-second period and a clean morning, but the energy is moderate (331), and the afternoon goes to crap with a 5ft short-period wind swell. Monday the 31st is messy with moderate cross-shore wind and 6ft of poor-quality ESE swell.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Tuesday the 1st of September morning, Broken Head switches on. We’ve got a 6ft E swell with a 7-second period, but the wind is a clean cross-off from the SSW and the combined energy is strong (387). It’s described as “expect good surf conditions.” That’s a solid, powerful wave for the experienced crew, but it might be a bit much for beginners at 6ft.
But the absolute standout is Wednesday the 2nd of September morning. The wind drops to nothing—completely glassy—and we’ve got a 5ft ENE swell with an 8-second period. The energy is still strong (352) and the conditions are glassy. That’s a dream session for a point break, with clean, lined-up waves. This is the best on offer, no question. The wind is calm, so the surf will be perfect.
Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th fade back into poor conditions with cross-onshore wind and smaller, weaker swell. Then, on Sunday the 6th of September, we get another promising window. The morning is glassy again, with a light WSW offshore breeze, and a 3ft SE swell with a long 14-second period. The combined energy is strong (360). That’s a long-period groundswell, so the waves will have excellent shape and energy, but because it’s a point break, the long period will work beautifully here. That’s another standout session, but it’s a bit further out, so keep an eye on it.
After that, the swell drops right off. Monday the 7th and Tuesday the 8th of September are tiny, with weak energy and onshore winds.
So, to wrap it up: the first week is mostly a bust. The real action is on the morning of Wednesday the 2nd of September, with glassy conditions and 5ft of clean swell. Sunday the 6th of September is also a great prospect, with a long-period groundswell and perfect offshore wind. Get in the water.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 23°C on Wed afternoon, min 14°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Thu morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 15°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 7 | SSE 12 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SSE 12 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | SSE 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
70 | 87 | 78 | 131 | 116 | 219 | 239 | 169 | 131 | 75 | 111 | 217 | 183 | 110 | 117 | 88 | 119 | 157 | 184 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:23AM0.89m | 5:54PM1.45m | 6:06AM0.97m | 6:31PM1.55m | 6:44AM1.05m | 7:04PM1.62m | 7:18AM1.13m | 7:36PM1.67m | 7:52AM1.21m | 8:08PM1.69m | 8:27AM1.28m | 8:40PM1.65m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:01AM0.41m | 11:04AM0.31m | 00:36AM0.32m | 11:49AM0.23m | 1:08AM0.23m | 12:29PM0.16m | 1:38AM0.16m | 1:06PM0.10m | 2:07AM0.10m | 1:42PM0.07m | 2:36AM0.05m | 2:20PM0.07m | 3:06AM0.03m | ||||||
— | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | |
mm | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 22 | 23 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 |
Feels °C | 18 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 21 | 22 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 10 | SSE 10 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | S 10 | S 11 | E 9 | E 9 |
70 | 48 | 78 | 131 | 116 | 51 | 32 | 169 | 131 | 75 | 111 | 217 | 183 | 110 | 80 | 122 | 238 | 157 | 122 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 6 | SSE 8 | S 10 | S 10 | SE 5 | S 16 | S 10 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | SSE 7 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | E 8 | E 9 | S 10 | SSE 10 |
88 | 26 | 50 | 106 | 74 | 1 | 20 | 17 | 11 | 49 | 53 | 17 | 133 | 88 | 69 | 88 | 119 | 158 | 184 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 4 | SSE 12 | S 11 | S 18 | SSE 5 | S 18 | NE 16 | NE 9 | S 10 | S 15 | S 11 | S 11 | SSE 16 | SSE 14 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | NE 7 | NE 10 | NNE 6 |
3 | 87 | 89 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 24 | 65 | 117 | 82 | 12 | 4 | 4 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NE 4 | — | ENE 8 | NE 8 | — | — | SSE 4 | S 5 | S 5 | — | — | — | — | — | SE 3 | — |
— | — | — | 8 | — | 219 | 239 | — | — | 14 | 53 | 26 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 7 | 477 | 19 | 2 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
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.











