Surf Forecasts:
Elliott Heads surf forecast from 1 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 8s period, NE swell with 67 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Elliott Heads this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Elliott Heads in the next 16 days are 0.7m 8s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 3s period and expected on Friday (Sep 04) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Mon 7th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Elliott Heads over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, I’ve been staring at the numbers for Elliott Heads, and I’m not gonna lie to you – it’s pretty grim. For the whole 16-day stretch, there’s not a single moment that’s worth getting wet for. Every report says “poor surf conditions,” so I’ll just call it as I see it.
The only break in the picture is Elliott Heads, a reef wave that’s usually a good place for beginners to learn, but it’s an inconsistent spot. It needs a proper ENE swell to work. The water is sitting at 68°F, which is about 2°F colder than normal for this time of year, so it’s a little chilly.
We start on Tuesday the 1st with a tiny 2ft swell from the ENE, but it’s got no power – a weak 6-second period and the wind is blowing straight onshore from the ESE at 9 mph. The combined energy is a low 45. That’s the story for the first few days. Wednesday the 2nd morning goes glassy, but the swell drops to 1ft and the energy is only 24. Still “poor.”
Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th see a cross-offshore wind, which would clean things up, but the swell is stuck at 2ft to 2ft with a 6 to 8-second period. The energy gets up to 42 on Thursday morning, but it’s just not enough to push a proper wave.
The entire first week is a bust. Saturday the 5th, Sunday the 6th, Monday the 7th – the swell never gets above 2ft, and the energy is always weak, in the 20s and 30s. Short period, no power.
The second week doesn’t improve. From Tuesday the 8th to Sunday the 13th, the swell height is still tiny, between 0.3ft and 3ft. The period does jump up to 13-17 seconds on the 11th, 12th, and 13th, which is a long groundswell, but there’s no height to go with it. The energy readings are in the teens and low 30s. That’s a swell that exists on the chart but not in the water.
The final days, Monday the 14th and Tuesday the 15th, show a minor bump to 3ft with a very short 4-5 second period. The wind is messy, and the energy is still a weak 50. It’s “poor.” Wednesday the 16th is the same.
So, bottom line: there’s nothing to surf here for the next 16 days. For a spot that’s already inconsistent, a dry spell like this isn’t totally unusual. The forecasts can change, and the ocean can throw a curveball, but right now, I’d save the gas and give it a miss. Keep your eyes peeled, but don’t expect much.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Thu morning, min 17°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Fri morning, min 18°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 5 | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
31 | 25 | 21 | 14 | 18 | 23 | 41 | 29 | 10 | 19 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 24 | 21 | 41 | 57 | 54 | 65 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | glassy | on | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 10:42AM2.71m | 10:55PM2.56m | 11:34AM2.64m | 11:45PM2.32m | 12:40PM2.53m | 00:51AM2.07m | 2:05PM2.46m | 2:26AM1.91m | 3:37PM2.51m | 4:05AM1.92m | 4:56PM2.66m | 5:23AM2.07m | 5:58PM2.83m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:54PM0.53m | 5:12AM0.43m | 5:49PM0.73m | 6:02AM0.57m | 7:01PM0.94m | 7:06AM0.72m | 8:37PM1.05m | 8:31AM0.81m | 10:22PM0.99m | 10:04AM0.77m | 11:40PM0.81m | 11:21AM0.63m | 00:34AM0.61m | ||||||||
6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | |
— | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 24 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 20 |
Feels °C | 18 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 10 | NE 6 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | NNE 4 | NE 5 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 7 |
10 | 9 | 21 | 14 | 4 | 23 | 41 | 29 | 10 | 19 | 4 | 9 | 14 | 3 | 3 | 24 | 21 | 41 | 57 | 54 | 65 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 10 | — | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 10 | NE 8 | NE 6 | NE 9 | E 9 | ENE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | ENE 9 | — | NE 6 | NE 10 | E 10 | — | — | — | — |
4 | — | 7 | 6 | 10 | 11 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 13 | 12 | 8 | — | 2 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NE 10 | — | ENE 9 | — | — | ENE 9 | E 6 | — | NE 9 | — | — | NE 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 4 | — | 8 | — | — | 8 | 1 | — | 3 | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | — | — | NE 6 | — | — | N 3 | N 4 | NNW 3 | NNE 3 | — | — | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | — | NNE 3 | — | — | — | NE 5 |
31 | 25 | — | — | 18 | — | — | 5 | 6 | 2 | 3 | — | — | 16 | 17 | — | 1 | — | — | — | 18 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 173 | 132 | 133 | 84 | 193 | 84 | 84 | 84 | 133 | 133 | 84 | 84 | 84 | 84 | 84 | 84 | 376 | 84 | 173 | 173 | 173 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Queensland North Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Elliott Heads Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Elliott Heads provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Elliott Heads can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Elliott Heads 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 (Elliott Heads) 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 Elliott Heads 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.











