Surf Forecasts:
Crescent Head surf forecast from 8 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 13 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 9s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 10 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 8s period, NNE swell with 1,410 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 9 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 9s period with ENE 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 Sunday (Aug 09) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 1.4m and 6s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Crescent Head in the next 16 days are 3.5m 8s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 10) at 10AM. 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 6s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 13) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Sun 9th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Mon 10th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Crescent Head over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s run through the same outlook in feet and miles per hour.
Overall, the first week is messy with a lot of onshore and cross-shore winds. The real standout window is the second week, especially around the 22nd and 23rd of August, where we’ve got proper swell and clean conditions.
Starting Sunday the 9th of August, we’ve got a small 3ft easterly swell with a north wind at 9 mph making it cross-shore and ordinary. Not worth it. Monday the 10th morning sees a jump to 11ft from the north-northeast, but the wind is cross-shore at 16 mph, and the combined energy is massive – not clean. Monday afternoon cleans up with a 4ft ENE swell and offshore-northwest winds at 12 mph, but still marginal.
Tuesday the 11th morning is clean with a light west offshore wind at 6 mph and a small 3ft ENE swell, energy is weak. Surfable but tiny. Wednesday the 12th morning has a bit more period at 10 seconds, 2ft from the ENE, with light cross-offshore winds – clean but small. Wednesday afternoon sees the wind swing west at 12 mph, offshore, with the same 2ft swell. Clean but tiny.
Thursday the 13th morning brings a new 6ft SSW swell, but short period at 7 seconds, and cross-offshore wind from the SSW keeps it clean. Energy is moderate, but the swell direction isn’t ideal. Marginal.
Friday the 14th morning looks like the first real glimmer – 5ft from the south-southeast, 9-second period, light cross-offshore wind from the SSW, and the comment says “expect good surf conditions.” This is the best of the first week, but not a standout.
Then a gap of poor surf from Saturday the 15th through Tuesday the 18th, with onshore winds.
The good stuff builds from Wednesday the 19th morning – 7ft ESE swell with light cross-shore winds. Thursday the 20th morning has a 6ft easterly swell at 9 seconds, clean with a southwest cross-offshore breeze at 9 mph, and “expect very good surf conditions.”
The standout is Friday the 21st of August. Glassy, no wind, with a 6ft easterly swell at 10 seconds. “Expect very good surf conditions.” Clean, lined-up groundswell at a point break. Crowds are possible.
Saturday the 22nd morning has 7ft from the east, 10-second period, light cross-offshore wind from the north-northwest, again “very good.” Saturday afternoon gets 10ft from the east-northeast at 11 seconds, with light cross-offshore winds – serious groundswell, only for experienced surfers.
Sunday the 23rd morning is excellent – 8ft from the east-northeast at 9 seconds, with a 12 mph west-northwest offshore wind. “Excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.”
Monday the 24th sees a drop to 6ft easterly swell with clean winds.
Water temperature is 68°F, about normal for this time of year.
Best bets: Friday the 21st for glassy 6ft easterly swell, and Saturday the 22nd morning for 7ft easterly swell. If you’re experienced, Sunday the 23rd morning with the 8ft offshore session is the one.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Tue morning, min 12°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | |||||||||||||||
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) | E 9 | ENE 9 | NNE 6 | NNE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | S 10 | SSW 7 | S 8 | S 10 | SSE 9 | S 8 | SSE 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 162 | 176 | 398 | 1410 | 235 | 154 | 82 | 80 | 71 | 94 | 90 | 78 | 405 | 520 | 1252 | 295 | 298 | 192 | 291 | 233 | 134 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | on | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross |
High Tide | 5:22PM1.81m | 5:25AM1.03m | 6:22PM1.92m | 6:22AM1.10m | 7:17PM2.01m | 7:11AM1.18m | 8:07PM2.03m | 7:56AM1.27m | 8:53PM2.00m | 8:39AM1.35m | 9:36PM1.89m | 9:22AM1.42m | 10:17PM1.74m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:09AM0.25m | 00:15AM0.43m | 11:15AM0.15m | 1:09AM0.37m | 12:15PM0.04m | 1:55AM0.34m | 1:09PM-0.05m | 2:37AM0.33m | 2:00PM-0.11m | 3:15AM0.35m | 2:49PM-0.11m | 3:50AM0.38m | 3:37PM-0.05m | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | |  | | |  | |
 | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — |
 | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — |
mm | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 |
Temp °C | 20 | 20 | 17 | 20 | 18 | 16 | 21 | 20 | 15 | 20 | 21 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 15 |
Feels °C | 17 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 19 | 17 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | S 8 |
| kJ | 162 | 176 | 237 | 467 | 235 | 154 | 82 | 80 | 71 | 94 | 90 | 68 | 163 | 257 | 528 | 295 | 206 | 192 | 138 | 155 | 88 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | S 7 | S 6 | — | E 13 | ENE 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 9 | S 9 | S 10 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | SSE 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | SE 7 |
| kJ | 9 | 8 | 3 | — | 4 | 106 | 1 | 12 | 20 | 63 | 37 | 78 | 44 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 49 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 52 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | — | E 13 | E 13 | SW 8 | NNE 7 | SSE 12 | NNE 6 | SSE 11 | NE 6 | S 21 | NE 6 | N 10 | SE 15 | ENE 10 | S 20 | SE 19 | SE 19 | ENE 10 |
| kJ | 7 | 3 | 2 | — | 4 | 4 | 14 | 41 | 61 | 16 | 24 | 9 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 31 | 8 | 15 | 14 | 32 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNE 5 | NNE 6 | NNE 8 | — | WNW 3 | WSW 3 | — | — | WNW 2 | N 3 | WSW 4 | SSW 7 | S 8 | S 10 | — | S 8 | — | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 |
| kJ | — | 90 | 398 | 1410 | — | 4 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 6 | 17 | 405 | 520 | 1252 | — | 298 | — | 291 | 233 | 134 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 15 | 76 | 76 | 62 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 199 | 0 | 0 | 52 | 0 | 17 | 199 | 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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