
Surf Forecasts:
Emerald Beach surf forecast from 26 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 29 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period, ENE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 29 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period, ENE swell with 69 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 29 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period with ENE 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 Wednesday (Jul 29) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 6s 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 0.9m 6s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 29) 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 1.9m 10s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 30) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Wed 29th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Wed 29th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Wed 29th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Emerald Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, grab your wettie and let’s talk about what’s happening at Emerald Beach because honestly, it’s a pretty quiet stretch ahead. This is a point break that likes a NE swell, and it’s fairly consistent, but we are staring down a long, dry spell of barely-there surf.
Water temp is sitting right around average for this time of year, so nothing crazy to report there.
We kick things off from Monday the 27th of July, but it’s a total non-starter. Tiny 0.7ft easterly swell with weak energy (17 weak energy) and even though the wind is light and clean in the morning, the wave size is just not enough to bother. That same pattern carries through Tuesday and Wednesday. Wednesday morning the 29th does see a tiny bump to 3ft from the ENE, but the period is a short 6 seconds—so it’s fat and weak. You *could* get a wave if you’re desperate, but it’s not worth paddling out for.
From Thursday the 30th right through to the end of the first week, it’s more of the same: ankle-snappers around 1ft to 1ft, mostly from the ENE with short periods. Offshore winds on some mornings will keep the water glassy and clean, but without swell, it’s just a pretty lake. No standouts here.
Now, we hit a little gap in real surf for several days. It’s not until Monday the 10th of August that things try to change. Monday morning brings a jump to 6ft from the NNE, and the combined energy jumps to a moderate 305. That’s the biggest swell of the whole outlook. But here’s the kicker—it’s got a period of only 7 seconds. That short-period NNE swell is going to be messy and disorganised, and with onshore winds (cross-on to straight onshore), it’s going to be choppy and blown out. Honestly, this setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. By Tuesday morning the 11th, the swell is already fading to 3ft.
So here’s the deal: there’s no true standout session in this whole 16-day window. If you’re desperate for a paddle, the cleanest windows are the mornings with offshore winds, but the swell just isn’t there. The biggest day (Monday the 10th) gets ruined by wind and short-period chop. We’re looking at a long blank run here.
Stay patient. Forecasts can always change for the better.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue morning, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri morning, min 11°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | ||||||||||||||
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 7 | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | E 7 | SE 8 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | SSE 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
5 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 4 | 31 | 56 | 67 | 47 | 22 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 8 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 0 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 6:35AM0.92m | 6:58PM1.51m | 7:16AM0.97m | 7:35PM1.57m | 7:53AM1.02m | 8:10PM1.61m | 8:30AM1.06m | 8:44PM1.62m | 9:06AM1.11m | 9:16PM1.61m | 9:43AM1.15m | 9:49PM1.56m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:05AM0.32m | 12:11PM0.27m | 1:42AM0.26m | 12:53PM0.22m | 2:16AM0.20m | 1:33PM0.18m | 2:49AM0.15m | 2:10PM0.16m | 3:21AM0.12m | 2:48PM0.17m | 3:52AM0.10m | 3:26PM0.19m | |||||||
— | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:13 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 4 |
Temp °C | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 14 |
Feels °C | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | S 12 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 |
585 | 392 | 255 | 164 | 111 | 63 | 56 | 67 | 47 | 22 | 14 | 488 | 16 | 8 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 355 | 276 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 3 | SE 8 | S 8 | S 7 | S 5 | S 16 | S 16 | ENE 6 | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | NE 8 | E 13 | ENE 7 | SSE 12 |
5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 31 | 29 | 16 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 16 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 85 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | E 7 | E 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | S 7 | SE 6 | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | E 11 | E 11 | E 13 | E 12 | SSE 14 | S 15 |
3 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 4 | 1 | 13 | 7 | 9 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 18 | 17 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | NE 4 | NW 2 | SSW 4 | — | S 7 | S 6 | S 6 | S 10 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 5 | — | 34 | 206 | 112 | 708 | 988 | 769 | 556 | 484 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 8 | 13 | 2 | 2 | 39 | 2 | 0 | 21 | 53 | 13 | 85 | 5 | 5 | 85 | 12 | 13 | 85 | 5 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Coast - New South Wales | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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










