Emerald Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 30.18° S 153.19° E

Emerald Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 am 19 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Emerald Beach sea temperature is
19.8° C
0.4° 

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 18 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 19 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 11s period, ESE swell with 3,518 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period with E 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 Sunday (Jul 19) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 10s 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 4.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 7PM. 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 8s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10AM (Sun 19th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 10s
Best Surf10AM (Sun 19th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 10s
Most Powerful 7PM (Sun 19th Jul)13ft (4.0m) 11s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here again, but in feet for those who think in yards. Here’s the same read for Emerald Beach.

We’ve got a decent swell window this week, but it’s a narrow one. The pattern kicks off with a big, powerful swell that’s just overwhelming the break, then it settles into a clean but short-lived window before dropping into flatness. The long range looks dead quiet, so pick your days carefully.

Right now, Sunday the 19th, we’ve got a solid 10ft east swell at 10 seconds pumping in. The combined energy is huge (1803), but the problem is it’s just too much for this point. It’s going to close out. The wind is cross-off from the south at 22 mph, which isn’t helping. The water’s at 68°F, which is pretty normal for the season. No action here.

This carries on through Sunday afternoon and into Monday morning – still 10ft plus. Monday the 20th afternoon drops to about 8ft east at 10 seconds (1397 energy), with lighter cross-off winds, but still not great.

Tuesday the 21st is the day. Early morning, we’re looking at a 6ft east swell, period 10 seconds, with moderate energy (687). The wind goes light offshore from the south – that turns Emerald into a proper wave. It’s fairly consistent and good for intermediate surfers, but expect to share the lineup – crowds are common here. Tuesday afternoon the swell backed down to about 5ft east at 9 seconds (450 energy), still clean.

Wednesday the 22nd is a write-off. The swell is down to 4-5ft and shrinking, with onshore and cross-onshore wind ruining the shape. Energy drops into the low hundreds. Poor. Thursday the 23rd morning offers a 3-4ft east swell with clean offshore wind, but it’s weak (energy 160) and those short 8-second intervals will feel gutless.

From Friday the 24th onward, we’re into dribble. Waves under 2ft, combined energy in the teens and twenties – it’s basically flat and poor. That flatness stretches out through the 31st of July and into the first days of August. On Monday the 3rd of August, there’s a tiny 1ft groundswell at 15 seconds with glassy conditions in the morning (energy 66), but it’s barely a ripple.

The standout is unmissable: Tuesday the 21st of July. Clean, chest-to-head-high east swell with offshore wind. That’s your best shot. Everything else is either too big to handle or too small to ride.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun morning, min 16°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Sun morning, calm by Tue afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Wed morning, min 9°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
!
!
!
!
3
3
3
2
1
0
0
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
E
10
3
E
11
4
ESE
11
3
ESE
10
2.5
E
10
2.1
E
10
1.9
E
10
1.6
E
9
1.4
ENE
9
1.4
ENE
9
1.2
ENE
9
1.2
ENE
9
1.1
ENE
8
0.9
ENE
8
0.8
ENE
8
0.5
ENE
8
0.5
ENE
8
0.4
ENE
8
0.4
ENE
8
0.4
ENE
7
0.3
ENE
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1803
2003
3250
1919
1397
847
687
450
340
300
243
222
160
119
75
36
37
25
23
21
11
Wind (km/h)
35
S
35
S
25
SSE
20
SSE
15
SSE
15
SSE
10
S
10
SE
10
NW
10
NNW
20
NE
5
WSW
5
SSW
10
E
25
SSW
10
S
5
E
10
WNW
5
SSW
5
ENE
5
WSW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross
cross-on
on
cross-off
off
cross-on
off
off
cross-on
cross
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
11:55AM1.21m
11:54PM1.37m
12:48PM1.22m
00:39AM1.19m
1:44PM1.22m
1:29AM1.04m
2:44PM1.24m
2:30AM0.92m
3:44PM1.27m
3:40AM0.86m
4:41PM1.31m
4:50AM0.85m
5:32PM1.37m
Low Tide
5:41PM0.32m
6:24AM0.15m
6:40PM0.43m
7:04AM0.22m
7:50PM0.51m
7:47AM0.28m
9:09PM0.54m
8:37AM0.34m
10:29PM0.52m
9:33AM0.36m
11:34PM0.46m
10:31AM0.36m
00:24AM0.39m
light rain
rain showers
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:39
6:39
6:39
6:39
6:37
6:37
6:37
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:06
5:06
5:07
5:07
5:07
5:08
5:08
 mm
2
1
Temp °C
18
18
17
18
18
17
17
17
17
21
19
16
19
18
16
13
13
11
14
14
13
Feels °C
12
12
12
13
15
15
16
16
17
17
16
15
17
16
14
10
11
8
11
12
10
  • 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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