Emerald Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 30.18° S 153.19° E

Emerald Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 am 15 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Emerald Beach sea temperature is
20.0° C
0.3° 

Emerald Beach surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Emerald Beach surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 10s period, SE swell with 3,856 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s 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 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 8s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Emerald Beach in the next 16 days are 4.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 8s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 16) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Sat 18th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 8s
Best Surf 4AM (Sat 18th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 8s
Most Powerful 4AM (Sun 19th Jul)15ft (4.5m) 10s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Emerald Beach over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, let's break it down. This is Rusty, and we’re looking at a slow start for Emerald Beach. The first few days are flat, basically nothing to ride. The first real surf shows up on Friday the 17th, but it’s a bit of a tricky one.

We’ve got a solid SE swell building, but it gets huge. By Saturday the 18th, we’re looking at 12ft to 13ft waves, with a period around 8-10 seconds. That’s a ton of energy – the combined energy of all swells here is 1635 on Saturday morning, jumping to 2708 by the afternoon. That’s a lot of power. But here’s the catch: it’s too big for this point break. It’s going to be a messy, dangerous beast. The wind is cross-off, so it’s clean, but it’s only for experts, and even then, it’s a battle. If you’re on a kite, go for it. For paddle surfing, Saturday and Sunday are a washout.

The swell starts to back down on Monday the 20th, but it’s still big – 8ft to 10ft – and the energy is still high (1452 on Monday afternoon). Still a bit overwhelming for most.

Tuesday the 21st is the day to circle. The swell drops to a much friendlier 7ft, still from the E with a 10-second period, and the wind turns light offshore from the SW in the morning. The combined energy is 902 – plenty of punch. The water temp is 68°, which is right around average for this time of year. The offshore wind will clean it right up, and the point should be handling that E swell nicely. Expect some good, lined-up waves. Crowds are often a factor here, so get there early.

Wednesday the 22nd is a good backup. The swell drops to 5ft, and we get a glassy morning with zero wind. The combined energy is 441. It’ll be a fun, clean morning on a longboard.

After that, it’s a slow fade. From the 24th onward, we’re looking at 3ft to 4ft waves, with the period dropping to 9 seconds and then 8 seconds. The energy drops below 200 by the 26th. It’s surfable, but you’ll be working for it. Small and weak.

There’s a long stretch of small, ordinary surf from the 23rd through the end of the forecast. Nothing to get excited about.

So, to sum it up: Tuesday the 21st is your best shot. Morning offshore, 7ft of E swell, and a point that should be on. The glassy morning on Wednesday the 22nd is a solid second choice for a smaller board. The rest is either too big, too small, or just not worth the effort.

-Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Thu night. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu morning, min 14°C on Wed morning). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat morning, min 16°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the S on Sat afternoon, light winds from the SSE by Mon night).

Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
3
4
3
2
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
E
10
0.1
E
10
3.5
S
8
3
SSE
8
0.1
N
10
0.1
NE
9
2.4
SE
7
2.3
SE
7
2.5
SE
8
3.5
SE
8
4
SE
10
4
SE
10
4
SE
10
3.5
ESE
10
3
ESE
10
3
ESE
10
2.5
ESE
10
2.3
E
10
2.1
E
10
1.9
E
10
1.6
E
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2
2
0
0
2
3
623
543
756
1635
2708
3718
3392
2189
2033
1875
1452
1087
902
716
490
Wind (km/h)
30
SSW
30
SSW
30
SSW
35
S
35
SSE
30
SSE
30
S
30
S
30
S
35
SSE
40
S
35
S
35
SSE
30
SSE
25
SE
20
SSE
15
SSE
10
SE
10
SW
10
ESE
5
W
Wind State
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross
cross-off
High Tide
8:55PM1.89m
9:26AM1.15m
9:42PM1.82m
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
Low Tide
2:15PM0.02m
3:40AM-0.04m
3:06PM0.04m
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
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light rain
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cloud
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
light rain
rain showers
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
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<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:41
6:41
6:41
6:41
6:39
6:39
6:39
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:04
5:04
5:05
5:05
5:06
5:06
5:07
 mm
2
3
1
10
1
1
2
5
3
Temp °C
16
15
16
18
18
17
18
18
17
18
17
18
18
18
18
18
18
17
18
18
17
Feels °C
9
8
9
10
11
11
12
12
12
12
10
11
12
13
13
14
15
15
17
17
17
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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