
Surf Forecasts:
Emerald Beach surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 19 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 8s period, SE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 23 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 7s period, SE swell with 284 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 19 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 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 (Sep 19) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 3s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Emerald Beach in the next 16 days are 1.8m 7s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 23) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore 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+) | 7AM (Sat 19th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Sat 19th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Wed 23rd Sep) | 6ft (1.8m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Emerald Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again, and I ain't gonna sugar-coat it—this 16-day stretch for Emerald Beach (Australia) is a long, quiet grind with one tiny bright spot. The water temp is about 70°F, which is just normal for this time of year.
For the first week and a half, it's flat. We're talking ankle-snappers at best, with swell heights under 1 foot from the north-east and east-north-east. The combined energy readings are often under 50, which is basically zilch. Even when the wind goes offshore, there's nothing to ride. Just a big empty ocean.
Now, things wake up a bit on the morning of Wednesday, September 23rd. A south-east swell pushes through around 6ft, with a period of 7 seconds – not long-period magic, but it has some weight. The combined energy hits 287, which is finally moderate. The morning rain is blowing offshore, so the surface cleans up. It's a marginal call with the tide and the short period, but it's the best we're gonna get by a long shot. That's your one wave.
After that, it's back to mediocrity. The end of September and into October 1st sees some 3 to 4-foot east-north-east swell, but the wind turns onshore or cross-shore, making it lumpy. The morning of Thursday, October 1st is the cleanest of that secondary bunch, with a cross-off wind and 4ft of swell, but it's still just ordinary surf.
So, save your energy for that Wednesday the 23rd morning session. The rest is a scratch. That's the hard word.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed morning, min 13°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the S on Wed afternoon, calm by Fri night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Mon morning, min 17°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | Tuesday 22 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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) | NE 14 | ENE 13 | ENE 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 | E 12 | E 12 | SE 8 | SE 10 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | NNE 4 | N 5 | NNE 5 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | N 5 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
8 | 18 | 17 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 129 | 157 | 68 | 53 | 28 | 9 | 18 | 39 | 14 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 2 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:11AM1.38m | 11:15PM0.99m | 11:58AM1.31m | 00:04AM0.88m | 12:56PM1.24m | 1:14AM0.80m | 2:09PM1.21m | 2:46AM0.78m | 3:23PM1.23m | 4:07AM0.83m | 4:24PM1.29m | 5:03AM0.91m | 5:11PM1.36m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:36PM0.38m | 5:08AM0.31m | 6:35PM0.46m | 5:50AM0.39m | 7:52PM0.52m | 6:49AM0.46m | 9:21PM0.51m | 8:10AM0.49m | 10:31PM0.45m | 9:31AM0.47m | 11:19PM0.36m | 10:34AM0.40m | 11:55PM0.27m | ||||||||
5:45 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | |
— | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:42 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 5 |
Temp °C | 18 | 17 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 24 | 22 | 19 | 25 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 19 |
Feels °C | 10 | 8 | 5 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 23 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 17 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 14 | ENE 13 | ENE 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 | S 10 | SSE 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 12 | S 10 | S 17 | S 10 | S 12 | S 12 | NNE 5 | S 11 |
8 | 18 | 17 | 7 | 7 | 1005 | 510 | 268 | 287 | 175 | 139 | 167 | 123 | 166 | 113 | 283 | 102 | 190 | 175 | 5 | 149 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 8 | — | — | — | S 19 | S 19 | S 19 | SE 8 | SE 10 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | S 17 | S 19 | S 8 | S 16 | NE 5 | NNE 5 | E 8 | SSW 19 |
2 | — | — | — | 7 | 28 | 7 | 129 | 157 | 68 | 53 | 28 | 9 | 52 | 450 | 45 | 79 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 119 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 17 | — | — | — | — | E 12 | E 12 | S 19 | S 17 | S 16 | S 17 | S 15 | S 17 | ESE 8 | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | NE 5 | E 8 | S 16 | N 10 | N 5 |
6 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 64 | 154 | 181 | 215 | 116 | 52 | 6 | 26 | 14 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | S 10 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | — | — | — | NNW 2 | NNW 3 | — | — | N 4 | NNE 4 | N 5 | — | — | — | SSE 5 | SSE 11 | SE 6 |
1206 | 3195 | 3706 | 2556 | 1888 | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | 1 | 18 | 39 | — | — | — | 106 | 731 | 142 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 422 | 1161 | 53 | 53 | 98 | 2 | 16 | 176 | 2 | 2 | 85 | 2 | 2 | 413 | 2 | 16 | 284 | 2 | 141 | 98 | 85 |
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










