Surf Forecasts:
Crescent Head surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 10s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 30 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 10s period, SSE swell with 472 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 25 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 5s 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 (Aug 25) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 5s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m 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 1.6m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 30) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 5s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Crescent Head over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright mates, Rusty here with the lowdown on the coming weeks. The beginning is a bit grim, but we’ve got some clean windows if you’re willing to wait. Water’s around 68°F, slightly warmer than normal for this time of year – you’ll feel it on a calm morning.
First chance at anything surfable is Wednesday the 26th morning. Glassy conditions at Crescent Head point break with a small 3ft ENE swell (combined energy 126). It’s tiny and ordinary, but it’s a start after a dead, choppy couple of days.
Thursday the 27th morning is your top pick early on. Clean surf with a cross-offshore southerly breeze and a solid 5ft south swell (combined energy 441). That’s a big jump in energy. The swell period is short (7 seconds), so it won’t be super lined up, but for a point that likes ESE, this south direction will wrap in and the wind will have it glassy. This is the best of the first week.
The second real standout is Saturday the 5th of September morning. Another clean session with a cross-offshore SSW breeze and a 5ft NE swell (combined energy 370). Again, short period (6 seconds), so it’s a bit junky, but the wind makes it surfable and the energy is moderate. This is your late-period target.
In between, Sunday the 30th August morning is glassy with 4ft from the SSE (energy 267) – worth a look if you missed the others. Friday the 4th of September afternoon sees a jump to 5ft from the east (energy 357) but with rain showers – messy, but the size is there. That 5ft is pushing it for beginners.
By the 8th of September, the swell drops to tiny, weak signals (energy in the 40 to 70 range) – not worth the effort unless you’re on a log and don’t care.
Bottom line: the first few days are a bust. Your best bets are Thursday the 27th morning and Saturday the 5th September morning. Both are clean with decent power. Crescent Head can get a bit of a crowd sometimes, but on those offshore mornings, it’s worth sharing the lineup.
Keep an eye on the sky.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Tue night. Warm (max 21°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri morning, min 14°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 9 | NNE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | S 7 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 121 | 107 | 61 | 82 | 151 | 108 | 81 | 67 | 236 | 159 | 147 | 122 | 151 | 204 | 142 | 349 | 472 | 216 | 182 | 100 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | glassy | glassy | on | cross-off | cross | cross | off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:04PM1.62m | 5:45AM1.01m | 6:47PM1.68m | 6:26AM1.12m | 7:25PM1.72m | 7:03AM1.23m | 8:00PM1.73m | 7:40AM1.34m | 8:34PM1.72m | 8:17AM1.43m | 9:06PM1.67m | 8:57AM1.51m | 9:39PM1.59m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:48AM0.58m | 11:42AM0.25m | 1:18AM0.54m | 12:29PM0.16m | 1:45AM0.50m | 1:12PM0.08m | 2:13AM0.46m | 1:53PM0.03m | 2:40AM0.42m | 2:34PM0.02m | 3:09AM0.38m | 3:15PM0.06m | 3:39AM0.35m | |||||||
 |  |  | |  |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — |
 | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | 9 | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 |
Feels °C | 17 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 |
| kJ | 79 | 51 | 61 | 45 | 151 | 108 | 81 | 67 | 156 | 159 | 147 | 122 | 151 | 204 | 142 | 226 | 276 | 216 | 182 | 100 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | S 8 | S 5 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SSE 4 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 |
| kJ | 96 | 47 | 26 | 17 | 17 | 8 | 6 | 23 | 45 | 79 | 68 | 48 | 34 | 38 | 13 | 42 | 40 | 43 | 42 | 42 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 17 | SE 14 | SSE 11 | SE 15 | SE 15 | SE 16 | SE 15 | SE 11 | S 15 | SE 15 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | S 11 | S 12 | ENE 9 | N 10 | N 16 | S 10 | ENE 9 | SE 18 |
| kJ | 12 | 8 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 19 | 18 | 83 | 44 | 42 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 65 | 12 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | NNE 6 | — | NE 6 | SW 2 | — | S 3 | S 5 | S 7 | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 4 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 121 | 107 | — | 82 | 2 | — | 1 | 51 | 236 | — | — | — | — | — | 29 | 349 | 472 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 290 | 76 | 76 | 155 | 0 | 0 | 199 | 14 | 0 | 52 | 0 | 0 | 76 | 0 | 17 | 199 | 0 | 0 | 76 | 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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