
Surf Forecasts:
Emerald Beach surf forecast from 16 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 8s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 11s period, ESE swell with 4,745 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 7s period with SE 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 Saturday (Jul 18) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 7s period. 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 4.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 7s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 18) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 1PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 15ft (4.5m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Emerald Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, I’m looking at the charts for the next couple of weeks, and it’s a bit of a mixed bag. We’ve got a real powerful pulse of swell coming through, but it’s going to be a challenging one for the average punter.
Friday morning the 17th kicks off with some solid but messy 8ft SE swell, but the wind is a cross-off from the SSE at 19 mph, which will keep the surface clean, but the period is a short 7 seconds. The energy is moderate (722), but the quality is marginal. This isn't the day to get excited.
The real action starts Saturday the 18th. The morning is a write-off, but by Saturday afternoon, the bombs start rolling in. We’re looking at a big 10ft ESE swell with a 10-second period, and the wind is cross-off. The combined energy is strong (1500). This is expert territory. The waves will be big and powerful.
Sunday the 19th is the peak of this swell. We’re seeing 13ft from the ESE on the Sunday morning and 12ft in the afternoon, with a 10-second period. The energy is very strong (2714 and 2322). Even with cross-off winds, this is way too much for a point break like Emerald Beach. This is strictly for the big-wave chargers. It’s going to be a massive, dangerous day.
Monday the 20th is when things start to settle down for the mere mortals. The swell drops to a still-chunky 8ft from the East, with a 10-second period. The afternoon looks best with a gentle SSE breeze at 9 mph, keeping things clean. The energy is still strong (1252), and the report says excellent conditions for experienced surfers. This is the standout window for the more advanced crew.
Tuesday the 21st is the day to circle. The swell has backed off to a much more manageable 6ft from the ENE, with a 10-second period. The energy is moderate (627). But the real kicker is the wind – glassy conditions in the morning with a S wind at 3 mph. That’s the cleanest we’ll see it all week. Expect very good surf. This is your best bet if you’re not in the expert bracket. The water temp is about average for the time of year.
After that, we’re looking at a steady drop-off. From Wednesday the 22nd through to the end of the month, the swell fades out. Wednesday and Thursday are small and chopped up by cross-on or onshore winds. We get a few days of clean, offshore winds from Thursday the 24th through to the 29th, but the swell is tiny – mostly under 3ft. There’s a little blip on the 29th afternoon with a 2ft SE swell and clean conditions, but it’s very ordinary. The last day of the month and into August is flat with virtually no energy.
So, to wrap it up: the big swell this weekend is for experts only. The real standout is Tuesday morning the 21st at Emerald Beach. Get it while the conditions are glassy and the swell is clean. After that, it’s a long, flat spell.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 38mm), heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri morning, min 16°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon morning, min 15°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SSE 8 | ESE 10 | E 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
889 | 715 | 543 | 574 | 0 | 1500 | 2822 | 2714 | 2322 | 1664 | 1307 | 1252 | 882 | 627 | 563 | 435 | 307 | 260 | 218 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 10:15AM1.17m | 10:27PM1.71m | 11:04AM1.19m | 11:10PM1.55m | 11:55AM1.21m | 11:54PM1.37m | 12:48PM1.22m | 00:39AM1.19m | 1:44PM1.22m | 1:29AM1.04m | 2:44PM1.24m | 2:30AM0.92m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:23AM-0.02m | 3:56PM0.11m | 5:05AM0.02m | 4:47PM0.20m | 5:45AM0.08m | 5:41PM0.32m | 6:24AM0.15m | 6:40PM0.43m | 7:04AM0.22m | 7:50PM0.51m | 7:47AM0.28m | 9:09PM0.54m | |||||||
— | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | |
mm | 10 | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 15 | 6 | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 14 |
Feels °C | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 18 | SSW 18 | S 18 | S 14 | S 21 | ESE 10 | E 11 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | S 16 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 |
26 | 66 | 54 | 16 | 36 | 1500 | 2822 | 115 | 103 | 127 | 1307 | 1252 | 882 | 627 | 563 | 435 | 307 | 260 | 218 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 9 | NNE 8 | S 12 | S 19 | — | S 21 | S 20 | S 24 | S 23 | S 17 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 |
3 | 7 | 11 | 28 | — | 79 | 72 | 11 | 11 | 6 | 126 | 153 | 141 | 87 | 57 | 57 | 32 | 31 | 17 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 12 | NNE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | S 18 | — | — | — | — | S 15 | S 15 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | E 12 |
— | 3 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 4 | 17 | 16 | 4 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SSE 8 | S 7 | SSE 8 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | NNW 3 |
889 | 715 | 543 | 574 | 1093 | 778 | 589 | 2714 | 2322 | 1664 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 5 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 212 | 332 | 377 | 0 | 53 | 423 | 429 | 413 | 378 | 98 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 2 | 2 | 149 | 2 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Coast - New South Wales | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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










