Surf Forecasts:
Crescent Head surf forecast from 14 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 17 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 10s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 10s period, S swell with 3,290 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 15 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 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 Tuesday (Sep 15) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s 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 4.0m 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 0.7m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Tue 15th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Thu 17th Sep) | 8ft (2.4m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Crescent Head over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty. Let's have a look at what's on offer for Crescent Head over the next couple of weeks.
Right now, we're in a bit of a flat spell. The early part of the week is a write-off – tiny, weak swells and messy winds mean there's nothing worth paddling out for. The water temp is sitting at 70°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least it won't feel like winter.
Things start to get interesting from Wednesday the 16th. A solid SSW swell pushes in, with waves hitting 10ft on Wednesday morning and building to 12ft by the afternoon. The combined energy is massive – over 3800 in the arvo – but that's serious, powerful stuff. With a 10-second period and cross-offshore wind, it'll be clean and lined up. This is big, though – over 8ft – so this is for experienced surfers only. The swell direction is from the S, which matches up nicely with Crescent Head's exposure. This swell hangs around into Thursday morning, still a solid 10ft with a longer 11-second period and clean cross-off wind. The energy is still pumping at over 3100. It eases back Thursday arvo to a more manageable 7ft.
Friday the 18th morning is the standout of the whole run. The swell drops to a friendly 5ft from the SSE, and the wind goes glassy. Absolutely still. That's the one you wait for – clean, smooth, and shoulder-to-head high. The energy is moderate at 319, but with those conditions, it's going to be a treat. Saturday morning the 19th is also worth a mention – glassy again, with a smaller 3ft SSE swell and a 9-second period. It's not big, but it'll be clean and fun for a longboard or a mal.
After that, the outlook gets patchy. There's a few knee-to-waist high days, but the wind turns onshore or cross-onshore and the quality drops right off. There's a bump on Tuesday the 22nd with 6ft from the SSE, but it's onshore, so expect chop. The rest of the second week is mostly small and messy, with persistent northerly breezes. Not much to get excited about.
If you're an experienced surfer looking for some heavy, clean waves, Wednesday the 16th and Thursday the 17th are your window. But for the best all-round session, don't miss Friday morning the 18th. Glassy, clean, and friendly.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 22°C on Tue morning, min 11°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNE on Tue morning, fresh winds from the S by Wed morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Thu morning. Warm (max 23°C on Sat morning, min 12°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 9 | SE 12 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NE 6 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | NNE 6 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 54 | 34 | 131 | 97 | 226 | 31 | 1526 | 2542 | 3290 | 2126 | 719 | 497 | 309 | 267 | 222 | 154 | 82 | 61 | 41 | 25 | 84 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | glassy | on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | off | cross-on | cross-on | off |
High Tide | 10:11PM1.35m | 10:22AM1.63m | 10:42PM1.19m | 11:09AM1.60m | 11:13PM1.05m | 12:03PM1.55m | 11:48PM0.95m | 1:06PM1.49m | 00:36AM0.88m | 2:22PM1.46m | 1:51AM0.85m | 3:38PM1.46m | 3:16AM0.89m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:06PM0.18m | 4:00AM0.35m | 4:55PM0.33m | 4:28AM0.36m | 5:48PM0.48m | 5:01AM0.38m | 6:53PM0.61m | 5:41AM0.41m | 8:14PM0.70m | 6:36AM0.45m | 9:44PM0.72m | 7:52AM0.46m | 10:49PM0.69m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | |  | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — |
 | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:42 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 19 | 18 | 22 | 21 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 23 | 21 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 22 |
Feels °C | 17 | 15 | 15 | 20 | 19 | 16 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 9 | SE 12 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | NE 6 |
| kJ | 54 | 34 | 38 | 25 | 69 | 31 | 819 | 1344 | 1658 | 1048 | 719 | 497 | 309 | 267 | 222 | 154 | 82 | 61 | 41 | 25 | 19 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 4 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | E 14 | — | — | E 13 | S 19 | E 12 | E 12 | SE 18 | SSE 18 | SE 16 | SE 7 | SE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | SSE 8 |
| kJ | 8 | 30 | 12 | 22 | 17 | 8 | 4 | — | — | 3 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 13 | 61 | 64 | 14 | 16 | 4 | 4 | 14 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | E 12 | SE 11 | E 14 | E 14 | E 14 | S 17 | — | — | — | E 13 | S 19 | S 19 | E 12 | E 12 | E 8 | SSE 15 | NE 4 | NNE 4 | SE 18 | SSE 20 |
| kJ | 36 | 3 | 30 | 15 | 4 | 4 | 6 | — | — | — | 3 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 22 | 3 | 2 | 12 | 75 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 4 | NE 5 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | S 4 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 3 | — | — | NE 4 | NNE 6 |
| kJ | 28 | 24 | 131 | 97 | 226 | 15 | 1526 | 2542 | 3290 | 2126 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 4 | 84 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 76 | 497 | 66 | 33 | 1551 | 193 | 535 | 1054 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 155 | 0 | 0 | 322 | 0 | 91 | 369 | 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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