Surf Forecasts:
Emerald Beach surf forecast from 11 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 15 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 6s period, NNE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 19 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 11s period, SE swell with 524 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 15 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 6s period with NNE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Emerald Beach this week:
The surf forecast for Emerald Beach over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 1.4m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Emerald Beach in the next 16 days are 1.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 19) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 4.5m 10s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Tue 15th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Tue 15th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Sat 19th Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Emerald Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Howdy, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s headed for Emerald Beach over the next couple weeks.
First thing, there’s a big ol’ gap with no real surf to start. From now all the way through Friday, September 18th, it’s mostly flat or junky. Tiny little waves, bad wind—nothing worth getting wet for.
The real bright spot lands on Friday afternoon, September 18th. We get a clean 5-foot swell out of the southeast, period around 9 seconds, and the combined energy hits 390—solid moderate juice. Wind goes cross-offshore and light, so the ocean will be clean with some real shape. This is the session to circle on your calendar. The point should offer some nice lines, and the swell direction lines up with the best for this break. Crowds are often around, so bring your patience. It’s good for intermediates and, at 5ft, still manageable for some beginners.
Next morning, Saturday the 19th, there’s still 5ft of southeast swell—period 9 seconds, energy 307—but the wind turns onshore from the north-northeast. Rougher, less quality, still some size but not as polished.
Sunday the 20th morning eases to 2ft from the southeast, period 8 seconds, energy low at 77. But the wind goes glassy—dead calm—so you could hunt a tiny clean wave on a log. It’s surfable but nothing special.
From Monday the 21st onward, it’s all downhill. Small, weak swell under 3ft most days, with onshore or cross-onshore wind. The combined energy rarely cracks triple digits. Nothing else in the window gets me excited.
So bottom line: your best bet is Friday afternoon, September 18th. Clean 5ft south-east swell, light offshore wind, good energy. That’s the one.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun morning, min 15°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 23°C on Tue morning, min 13°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Mon night, strong winds from the SSW by Tue night). | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | ||||||||||||||
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 14 | ENE 14 | ENE 14 | ENE 13 | ENE 13 | ENE 13 | ENE 13 | E 10 | NE 4 | NNE 5 | N 4 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 13 | ENE 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 | N 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 19 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 8 | 34 | 46 | 21 | 110 | 109 | 12 | 18 | 17 | 7 | 7 | 5 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | off | off | off | off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 8:36AM1.43m | 8:46PM1.53m | 9:14AM1.47m | 9:23PM1.40m | 9:51AM1.47m | 9:59PM1.26m | 10:30AM1.44m | 10:35PM1.12m | 11:11AM1.38m | 11:15PM0.99m | 11:58AM1.31m | 00:04AM0.88m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:30AM-0.02m | 2:36PM0.07m | 3:01AM0.01m | 3:20PM0.12m | 3:32AM0.06m | 4:03PM0.19m | 4:02AM0.14m | 4:47PM0.28m | 4:33AM0.22m | 5:36PM0.38m | 5:08AM0.31m | 6:35PM0.46m | |||||||
 |  |  |  |  | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — |
mm | 4 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 23 | 22 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 |
Feels °C | 15 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 12 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 13 | S 12 | S 11 | ENE 5 | SSE 10 | NE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 13 | ENE 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 | S 18 |
| kJ | 567 | 418 | 411 | 539 | 298 | 218 | 291 | 289 | 180 | 119 | 14 | 32 | 109 | 12 | 18 | 17 | 7 | 7 | 25 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 14 | S 19 | S 19 | S 17 | S 19 | SSW 18 | ENE 13 | E 10 | E 10 | E 12 | S 10 | ENE 14 | S 10 | NE 14 | — | — | — | S 18 | E 12 |
| kJ | 19 | 64 | 267 | 205 | 190 | 104 | 16 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 56 | 21 | 17 | 8 | — | — | — | 7 | 3 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | ENE 14 | ENE 14 | ENE 13 | ENE 13 | ENE 13 | N 13 | E 12 | E 12 | E 16 | ENE 14 | E 9 | E 14 | — | — | — | — | — | N 16 |
| kJ | 6 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 21 | 2 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 5 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 5 | — | NNW 2 | NE 4 | NNE 5 | N 4 | NE 5 | SSW 10 | S 8 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | — | 1 | 34 | 46 | 21 | 110 | 31 | 1254 | 2928 | 3599 | 2749 | 2098 | 1537 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 5 | 5 | 13 | 2 | 39 | 85 | 2 | 39 | 389 | 2 | 16 | 512 | 40 | 422 | 1161 | 229 | 53 | 98 | 13 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Coast - New South Wales | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Emerald Beach Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Emerald Beach provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Emerald Beach can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Emerald Beach 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 (Emerald Beach) 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 Emerald Beach 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 North Coast - New South Wales? If you are looking for accommodation near Emerald Beach, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in North Coast - New South Wales, consider staying in Coffs Harbour which is 21 km (13 miles) away. Alternatively, find information about places to stay and car hire in South Grafton which is 53 km (33 miles) away
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