
Surf Forecasts:
Dreamtime surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 17 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 10s period, SSE swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 10s period, SSE swell with 3,029 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 9s period with SSE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Dreamtime this week:
The surf forecast for Dreamtime over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 14) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 5s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Dreamtime in the next 16 days are 4.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 10PM. 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 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Mon 14th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Wed 16th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Dreamtime over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let’s break down Dreamtime.
First off, it’s quiet. For the first stretch running into mid-September, there’s next to nothing happening. Small, weak, choppy — not worth the paddle.
Then Thursday the 18th brings a big jump — a strong SSE swell at 10 feet with a combined wave energy of 1608. That’s a lot of ocean. The water’s close to 70°, normal for the season. With a cross-onshore breeze at 12 mph, it’s going to be messy and too big for anyone but advanced surfers.
Friday the 19th morning is the real standout. Swell drops to a cleaner 7 feet from the ESE, with a long 11-second period and light NNE winds around 6 mph, nearly glassy. Combined energy is still solid at 1149. Conditions look clean with some power behind them. It’s a bit much for beginners, but for experienced surfers, this is the session to circle. That long period groundswell might make it a bit straight at a beach break setup, but if it lines up, it’ll be good. It’s possible to see a few others in the water since it’s a weekend.
After that, the surf fades fast. By the 20th it’s small, and by the 22nd it’s nearly flat. There’s another spike around the 24th with a 7-foot SE swell, but the onshore wind will likely blow it out.
So your one real shot in these 16 days is the morning of the 19th. Don’t sleep on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat morning, min 15°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Tue morning, min 13°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WNW on Tue night, strong winds from the S by Wed afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | E 6 | S 5 | SSE 8 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
333 | 260 | 221 | 183 | 149 | 121 | 94 | 78 | 75 | 50 | 33 | 17 | 63 | 1500 | 2863 | 2602 | 2423 | 1920 | 1584 | 1129 | 1769 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | glassy | on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:37PM1.59m | 9:02AM1.49m | 9:11PM1.45m | 9:40AM1.48m | 9:45PM1.30m | 10:19AM1.44m | 10:20PM1.15m | 11:02AM1.37m | 10:58PM1.02m | 11:52AM1.29m | 11:48PM0.90m | 12:56PM1.22m | 1:05AM0.82m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:25PM0.05m | 2:52AM0.02m | 3:07PM0.12m | 3:22AM0.07m | 3:49PM0.22m | 3:52AM0.14m | 4:33PM0.33m | 4:23AM0.22m | 5:22PM0.44m | 4:59AM0.31m | 6:23PM0.53m | 5:45AM0.40m | 7:48PM0.57m | ||||||||
5:48 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | |
— | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:38 | — | |
mm | 1 | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 16 |
Feels °C | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 14 | SE 8 | SSE 19 | SSE 20 | SE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 13 | ENE 13 | — | — | E 12 | NE 16 | ESE 12 | SE 12 |
16 | 260 | 69 | 40 | 149 | 121 | 94 | 78 | 25 | 25 | 16 | 17 | 27 | 4 | 17 | — | — | 3 | 10 | 333 | 1769 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 19 | SSE 20 | E 9 | SE 16 | SSE 19 | E 5 | E 6 | ENE 6 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | N 5 | — | — | — | — | NE 16 | S 19 | NE 15 | S 9 |
7 | 38 | 6 | 10 | 35 | 21 | 22 | 25 | 75 | 50 | 33 | 17 | 13 | — | — | — | — | 10 | 7 | 8 | 76 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 20 | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | NE 8 | E 9 | NE 12 | NE 12 | E 14 | — | — | — | — | NE 16 | S 19 | — | SSE 19 |
30 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 4 | — | — | — | — | 10 | 7 | — | 36 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | — | SE 8 | SE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | N 2 | N 4 | N 4 | S 5 | SSE 8 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | S 9 |
333 | — | 221 | 183 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 12 | 38 | 63 | 1500 | 2863 | 2602 | 2423 | 1920 | 1584 | 1129 | 234 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 208 | 0 | 16 | 388 | 36 | 208 | 1371 | 11 | 275 | 320 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Coast - New South Wales | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Dreamtime Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Dreamtime provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Dreamtime can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Dreamtime 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 (Dreamtime) 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 Dreamtime 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.










