Surf Forecasts:
Crescent Head surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 8s period, ESE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 10s period, ESE swell with 367 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 8s 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 Tuesday (Aug 18) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 12s. 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 1.3m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Crescent Head over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what Crescent Head’s got cooking over these next couple of weeks.
Alright, we start off slow. Monday morning is showing a 5ft swell from the southeast, but it’s short and weak, only 7 seconds. Wind’s cross-on, and the water’s at 19°, pretty average for this time of year. Nothing worth rushing for.
By Monday afternoon the wind drops to glassy, and Tuesday afternoon looks like the first real chance: clean 5ft swell from the southeast, 8-second period, and glassy conditions. The combined energy is moderate at 336, and with no wind, it’ll be smooth.
Wednesday morning, August 19th, that’s the one to mark. We’ve got 4ft from the east-southeast, a solid 10-second groundswell, glassy, and energy at 417. That’s a proper pulse for the point. The offshore wind direction is southwest, perfect grooming. Crescent Head is fairly consistent, but this is the standout.
From Thursday the 20th right through to Tuesday the 25th, it’s mostly tiny or messy. Small waves, choppy cross-onshore winds, not worth it. That’s a 6-day stretch of nothing.
Then on Thursday the 27th we see a late pulse: 6ft from the north-northeast, short period at 6 seconds, but the wind is clean cross-off from the south-southwest. Energy is moderate at 371 – punchy and messy. Not for beginners.
Into the second week, Sunday the 30th has a 5ft south-southeast swell with an 11-second period – good groundswell. Energy is strong at 622, and with only a slight cross-shore, it’ll be clean, but the quality’s still not top-shelf.
The clear winner here is Wednesday morning, August 19th at Crescent Head. That 4ft, 10-second groundswell from the ESE with glassy conditions and 417 energy – that’s the one to plan around. It’s a point break, so that long period will wrap in and hold shape. Beginners will be fine with the size.
Otherwise, Thursday the 27th might offer a fun but short-period option for the experienced crew. Don’t hold your breath for anything much after that.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Mon morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed afternoon, min 14°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Fri night. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri morning, min 14°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | NE 6 | E 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 255 | 235 | 257 | 255 | 268 | 217 | 367 | 339 | 194 | 125 | 125 | 85 | 30 | 31 | 80 | 26 | 31 | 54 | 48 | 41 | 52 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross | glassy | off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 10:51AM1.49m | 11:31PM1.36m | 11:41AM1.49m | 00:06AM1.18m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:16PM0.23m | 5:25AM0.44m | 6:11PM0.40m | 5:57AM0.45m | 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 | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  |  |  | |  | |  | | | |  |  | | | | | | |
 | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — |
 | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — |
mm | 6 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 18 |
Feels °C | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ENE 6 | E 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 |
| kJ | 255 | 235 | 257 | 255 | 268 | 217 | 367 | 339 | 194 | 125 | 125 | 40 | 30 | 31 | 34 | 26 | 31 | 54 | 48 | 41 | 52 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 12 | S 10 | SE 11 | S 12 | ESE 13 | ESE 11 | S 10 | S 8 | E 12 | E 11 | E 10 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SSE 7 | S 6 | SSE 9 | S 8 | SSE 15 | S 8 |
| kJ | 14 | 104 | 45 | 3 | 60 | 130 | 46 | 19 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 33 | 13 | 12 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 11 | 22 | 22 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 17 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | E 15 | ENE 9 | S 11 | S 15 | — | S 8 | — | S 15 | — | E 10 | E 9 | SE 10 | S 7 | SE 7 | — | SE 18 | SSE 9 | SSE 12 |
| kJ | 27 | 38 | 31 | 4 | 8 | 2 | 4 | — | 28 | — | 4 | — | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 2 | — | 13 | 8 | 14 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 6 | — | — | ENE 7 | NE 6 | — | NNE 4 | NE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 33 | — | — | 96 | 85 | — | 8 | 80 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 17 | 17 | 199 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 91 | 0 | 15 | 269 | 0 | 0 | 369 | 0 | 17 | 52 | 0 | 15 | 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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