Surf Forecasts:
Crescent Head surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 9s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 10s period, ESE swell with 269 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 9s period with ESE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Crescent Head this week:
The surf forecast for Crescent Head over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 12s. Another secondary swell of 0.7m and 6s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Crescent Head in the next 16 days are 1.2m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Crescent Head over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about the next couple weeks at Crescent Head.
We start off slow, but Wednesday morning the 19th is where it’s at. Crescent Head (NSW) is the spot. Swell is 5ft from the ESE, period of 10 seconds, and the wind is glassy – dead clean. Water temp is 67°, right on average for this time of year. The wave energy is moderate at 452. That’s the morning to be out.
Wednesday afternoon gets a bit bumpy with a cross-on wind, so make the most of the morning.
From Thursday the 20th through Sunday the 23rd, the surf goes flat. We’re talking under 2ft with weak energy – down to 23 at one point. Not worth the walk to the beach.
Tuesday the 25th afternoon brings a bit of life back. 4ft from the ENE, light cross-offshore breeze, clean and surfable. Energy is moderate at 219.
Wednesday the 26th morning is a treat. Offshore wind from the W at 9 mph, 5ft from the SSW, clean and lined-up. Energy at 296. Thursday the 27th morning is also glassy with 4ft from the SSE, energy at 267. Two great midweek sessions.
Friday the 28th and Saturday the 29th mornings are smaller but still clean.
Then it gets big. Saturday the 29th afternoon jumps to 6ft from the S, offshore wind at 12 mph, energy at 372. Clean and powerful.
Sunday the 30th is for experts only. Morning has 8ft from the S, wind at 18 mph cross-offshore, energy at 1632. Afternoon pushes to 10ft from the S, energy at 2677. That’s a serious swell.
Monday the 31st is still big – 8ft from the SSE, period of 12 seconds, energy at 1613. Long-period groundswell, clean but heavy. Point breaks will handle it well, but expect long waits between sets.
Tuesday the 1st of September is another standout. Morning glass, 6ft from the SE, period of 10 seconds, energy at 613. Clean, solid, and well-shaped.
The last couple days drop back to 4ft and under, but still clean and surfable.
Best bets: Wednesday morning the 19th for glassy perfection, and Tuesday morning the 1st of September for a solid, clean swell. If you’re an expert, the weekend of the 30th and 31st has serious power.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Warm (max 20°C on Fri morning, min 14°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Warm (max 20°C on Mon morning, min 14°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 7 | NE 6 | NNE 6 | NE 6 | NE 5 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | SE 6 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 418 | 318 | 190 | 143 | 116 | 108 | 61 | 69 | 35 | 23 | 20 | 17 | 21 | 40 | 23 | 33 | 37 | 70 | 146 | 113 | 93 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 12:38PM1.47m | 00:43AM1.03m | 1:44PM1.45m | 1:30AM0.92m | 2:59PM1.46m | 2:37AM0.86m | 4:12PM1.50m | 3:54AM0.86m | 5:14PM1.56m | 4:57AM0.92m | 6:04PM1.62m | 5:45AM1.01m | 6:47PM1.68m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:17PM0.56m | 6:35AM0.46m | 8:41PM0.66m | 7:25AM0.47m | 10:15PM0.69m | 8:30AM0.46m | 11:28PM0.66m | 9:43AM0.42m | 00:14AM0.62m | 10:48AM0.35m | 00:48AM0.58m | 11:42AM0.25m | 1:18AM0.54m | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  |  | | |  |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — |
 | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — |
mm | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 22 | 21 | 18 |
Feels °C | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 19 | 20 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | SE 6 | SE 6 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 8 |
| kJ | 418 | 318 | 190 | 143 | 55 | 56 | 39 | 37 | 35 | 23 | 20 | 17 | 21 | 40 | 22 | 20 | 37 | 70 | 75 | 113 | 93 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 10 | E 12 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | S 3 | S 4 | S 8 | S 6 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | S 9 |
| kJ | 30 | 29 | 3 | 91 | 59 | 26 | 14 | 19 | 7 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 13 | 10 | 23 | 33 | 27 | 16 | 16 | 8 | 6 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | — | E 12 | E 7 | — | S 13 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | S 3 | SE 7 | SSE 9 | S 4 | S 9 | S 7 | S 8 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 15 | S 15 | S 15 |
| kJ | 4 | — | 11 | 23 | — | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 6 | 8 | 21 | 10 | 1 | 8 | 4 | 4 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | NNE 6 | NE 6 | NE 5 | — | SSW 2 | — | — | SSW 4 | — | — | — | NE 4 | N 5 | NE 6 | N 6 | WNW 3 |
| kJ | — | — | 34 | 96 | 116 | 108 | 61 | 69 | — | 1 | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | 4 | 34 | 146 | 94 | 2 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 76 | 0 | 15 | 290 | 0 | 15 | 369 | 0 | 31 | 76 | 17 | 31 | 17 | 0 | 15 | 224 | 110 | 62 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Port Macquarie | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Crescent Head Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Crescent Head provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Crescent Head can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Crescent 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 (Crescent 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 Crescent 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.
Are you planning a holiday in Port Macquarie? If you are looking for accommodation near Crescent Head, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Port Macquarie, consider staying in North Shore which is 25 km (16 miles) away. Other places in and around Port Macquarie where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Port Macquarie which is 28 km (17 miles) away, Taree and Coffs Harbour.
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