Broken Head Surf Break

Lat Long: 28.71° S 153.62° E

Broken Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 am 10 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Broken Head sea temperature is
20.3° C
0.3° 

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 10 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 14 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 10 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 7s period, N swell with 320 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 11 Aug, 1PM (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 Tuesday (Aug 11) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 7s. 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 1.8m 7s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 10) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 10s period and expected on Friday (Aug 14) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1PM (Tue 11th Aug)2.5ft (0.7m) 9s
Best Surf 7PM (Fri 14th Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 8s
Most Powerful 1PM (Mon 10th Aug)6ft (1.8m) 7s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with it – this 16-day window has a rough start. For the first week, you’re looking at small, messy, or just plain poor surf. The real standout action kicks off mid-next week with a solid pulse of energy that’s worth circling on the calendar.

The week starts quiet. Monday morning (August 10th) is a write-off with a 19 mph cross-on wind making a 7 ft lumpy mess – skip it. The afternoon cleans up a bit, but it’s still marginal. Tuesday through to the following Monday are mostly blown out or tiny, with swell under 3 ft and onshore or cross winds. There’s a few clean moments, like Wednesday morning (August 12th) with a light offshore, but it’s only 2 ft – not worth the paddle unless you’re desperate. Thursday morning (August 13th) is similar: 2 ft, clean, but weak. The weekend (August 15-16) is poor, with rain and lumpy conditions.

Now, the good stuff. Things kick into gear from Tuesday, August 18th, but the standout window is Wednesday, August 19th, through to Saturday, August 22nd. The best of the best? Wednesday morning (August 19th) at Broken Head. The combined swell energy is pumping at 1147 – that’s strong, powerful wave energy. Swell hits 7 ft from the ESE at 8 seconds, which is a short-period swell, but the light offshore from the SSW (6 mph) will keep it clean. This setup is best for experienced surfers – the size and power make it no place for beginners. The water temp is about 69°, which is pretty normal for this time of year.

Thursday (August 20th) is another cracker. Morning sees 12 ft from the E at 9 seconds – big and powerful (combined energy a massive 2039). Light SSE wind keeps it clean. This is expert territory. The afternoon drops to 8 ft, still clean, and still excellent. Friday (August 21st) holds 8 ft from the E all day, with a clean cross-off breeze and combined energy around 1264-1270. Stellar.

One thing to note: this break is exposed, can get crowds, so get in early. The swell direction (E/ENE) lines up well with the optimum ENE. It’s a point break, so those longer-period sets (up to 10s later in the run) will wrap in nicely. Come Saturday (August 22nd), it’s still very good: 7 ft, clean, light winds. Into the second week, from Sunday (August 23rd) onwards it starts to fade back to smaller, cleaner 5 ft waves with glassy or offshore conditions, but nothing that’ll blow your mind.

So in a nutshell: first week is flat or poor – don’t bother. The real magic is from Wednesday to Saturday (August 19-22). That’s your best bet.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Mon morning. Warm (max 21°C on Tue morning, min 13°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Sat morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu morning, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
10
Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
Sunday
16
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.1
N
6
1.6
NNE
7
1.1
NNE
7
0.7
ENE
9
0.7
E
9
0.7
E
9
0.7
E
9
0.7
E
9
0.6
E
9
0.6
E
9
0.5
E
9
0.5
E
9
0.4
ENE
9
0.4
ENE
9
1.2
SSE
8
0.3
SSE
21
0.4
ENE
9
0.8
SE
6
1.1
SE
6
0.9
ESE
6
1.2
ESE
6
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
379
261
115
82
78
87
83
85
63
61
43
43
28
29
183
84
29
47
72
59
100
Wind (km/h)
30
NNW
20
W
15
W
20
W
10
NE
20
W
10
WSW
15
NE
20
W
15
SW
15
SE
15
SSW
20
SW
20
S
15
SW
20
SSW
25
S
20
S
20
S
25
S
25
SE
Wind State
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
on
cross-off
off
on
cross-off
off
cross
off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
High Tide
6:15PM1.78m
6:35AM1.05m
7:05PM1.87m
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
Low Tide
11:25AM0.11m
1:05AM0.11m
12:20PM0.03m
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
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:22
6:20
6:20
6:20
6:18
6:18
6:16
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:19
5:20
5:20
5:21
5:21
5:22
5:22
 mm
1
1
3
3
5
1
9
Temp °C
20
16
15
21
21
17
20
19
16
18
17
16
17
17
16
17
18
16
18
18
16
Feels °C
16
12
10
17
18
12
17
15
12
14
13
13
13
14
13
13
14
13
13
15
14
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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