Surf Forecasts:
Crescent Head surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 6s period, NNE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 6s period, NE swell with 220 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 6s period with NNE 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 Friday (Aug 21) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m and 7s 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 1.9m 6s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) 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 1.1m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Tue 25th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Crescent Head over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, listen up. We’re looking at Crescent Head, and for the first week and a half, it’s a total bust. From Thursday the 20th of August all the way through to Saturday the 29th, it’s flat, choppy, and messy. The energy is weak, and the wind is all wrong. You’d be wasting your time.
Sunday the 30th of August brings a little bump – swell hits about 5ft from the NE with a combined energy of 371 – but it’s still a cross-shore wind. It’s only “marginal,” so don’t get your hopes up.
The real action starts on Tuesday the 1st of September. That morning we get a clean 4ft swell from the ENE with a light offshore breeze from the W. The water temp is about 67°, which is normal for this time of year. This is where things start to look promising.
But the one you want to save for is Wednesday the 2nd of September. That morning is going to be glassy flat. We’re talking 5ft of E swell, a 10-second period, and combined energy of 536. The wind is dead calm. This is the session. The point break will handle that longer period swell beautifully. Fair warning though – it’s a popular spot, and a morning like this will have the lineup packed.
Thursday the 3rd is okay, but the wind shifts cross-shore, so it won’t be as clean. Friday the 4th of September morning is another glassy one with a smaller 3ft E swell, good for a longboard or a fun cruiser.
Bottom line: the first week and a half is a wash. The only real standout is the morning of Wednesday the 2nd of September. That’s your window.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Fri morning, min 15°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 22°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | |||||||||||||||
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 7 | E 7 | NNE 6 | NE 6 | NE 5 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | E 6 | SSE 10 | NE 7 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 125 | 114 | 119 | 52 | 57 | 75 | 23 | 23 | 26 | 30 | 87 | 67 | 108 | 71 | 106 | 79 | 59 | 88 | 81 | 62 | 62 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 6:26AM1.12m | 7:25PM1.72m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 12:29PM0.16m | 1:45AM0.50m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  |  |  |  | | | | | | | |  | | |  | | | | |
 | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — |
 | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 2 | 2 | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 18 | 17 | 21 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 20 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 22 | 20 | 20 | 15 | 13 | 14 |
Feels °C | 15 | 15 | 13 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 12 | 9 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 7 | E 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | E 6 | ESE 6 | SSE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | S 6 |
| kJ | 125 | 114 | 56 | 33 | 33 | 35 | 23 | 23 | 26 | 30 | 38 | 66 | 53 | 66 | 106 | 79 | 59 | 88 | 81 | 62 | 43 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 8 | E 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | S 7 | S 4 | SSE 11 | S 9 | SSE 10 | ESE 6 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | ENE 7 |
| kJ | 19 | 8 | 26 | 19 | 19 | 7 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 45 | 54 | 108 | 25 | 40 | 44 | 42 | 26 | 23 | 13 | 62 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 11 | — | S 13 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | S 9 | S 8 | SSE 4 | SSE 13 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | SE 11 | SSE 11 | SE 16 | S 3 | SE 16 | SE 16 | SE 14 |
| kJ | 9 | — | 3 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 67 | 22 | 30 | 31 | 13 | 11 | 1 | 10 | 10 | 8 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NE 5 | NNE 6 | NE 6 | NE 5 | NE 6 | SSW 3 | — | — | SSW 4 | ENE 8 | — | — | NE 7 | NE 5 | NNE 4 | NE 5 | SSW 2 | SSW 3 | SSW 3 | S 6 |
| kJ | — | 53 | 119 | 52 | 57 | 75 | 1 | — | — | 21 | 87 | — | — | 71 | 33 | 13 | 31 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 66 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 15 | 290 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 0 | 17 | 76 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 0 | 15 | 290 | 0 | 76 | 171 | 0 | 14 | 17 | 17 |
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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