Surf Forecasts:
Emerald Beach surf forecast from 5 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 6 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period, NNE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 9 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 9s period, SE swell with 156 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 6 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period with NNE 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 (Sep 06) at 10AM. 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 1.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 09) 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 3.0m 8s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 10) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Sun 6th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Sun 6th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Wed 9th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Emerald Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again, same spot—Emerald Beach. Let me tell you, the numbers don’t lie, and this is a rough 16 days for wave riding. The water temp is sitting about 68°F, which is dead normal for September, nothing unusual.
Bottom line: there’s no true standout day for surf. Most of the time you’re looking at swell heights under 2 feet, coming from the NNE or ENE, while this point break craves swell from the NE. The combined wave energy is weak, with values like 35, 29, 14, and plenty of zeros across the board. There’s a big dry spell right from the start.
The first thing that looks even slightly possible is the morning of Sunday, September 6th. We’ve got a 3 foot swell from the NNE, period of 6 seconds—short-period windswell, not much grunt. Wind is SSE at 9 mph, cross-offshore, so it’s clean, but the wave comment says it’s surfable but very ordinary. Not worth rushing for.
By Tuesday, September 15th, the swell bumps up to 4 feet from the NNE, period still short at 6 seconds, wind onshore from the NNE at 12 mph making it choppy. The energy hits 130, which is moderate, but the quality is poor. Later that day it just gets messier.
At the very tail end, Friday morning, September 18th, the wind goes glassy—dead calm—which is beautiful, but there is zero swell. No waves at all.
This spot is usually fairly consistent, but for these 16 days it’s a total blank. If you’re into kite surfing, those breezy afternoons with a little bump might be your thing, but for a paddle surfer, it’s a hard pass.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 27°C on Sat morning, min 15°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue morning, min 13°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Tue night, fresh winds from the SSW by Wed night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NNE 6 | NNE 5 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | NE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SE 10 | ESE 10 | SE 9 | ENE 14 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 18 | 88 | 60 | 60 | 56 | 26 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 22 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 7 | 25 | 10 | 12 | 18 | 7 | 7 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 2:42PM1.42m | 3:18AM0.88m | 3:58PM1.49m | 4:39AM0.93m | 5:03PM1.57m | 5:41AM1.03m | 5:58PM1.65m | 6:31AM1.15m | 6:45PM1.69m | 7:16AM1.26m | 7:28PM1.69m | 7:57AM1.35m | 8:08PM1.63m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:47PM0.36m | 8:58AM0.33m | 11:01PM0.26m | 10:16AM0.28m | 11:57PM0.16m | 11:22AM0.20m | 00:42AM0.07m | 12:17PM0.12m | 1:21AM0.01m | 1:06PM0.07m | 1:57AM-0.02m | 1:52PM0.05m | 2:30AM-0.02m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | |  |  | | | |  |  | | |  | | | | |
 | 5:58 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — |
 | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:36 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 |
Temp °C | 27 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 17 |
Feels °C | 22 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 11 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 11 | NE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SE 10 | S 23 | S 16 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 11 |
| kJ | 74 | 63 | 60 | 60 | 56 | 26 | 1087 | 623 | 257 | 105 | 22 | 757 | 819 | 603 | 307 | 25 | 93 | 347 | 8 | 7 | 639 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | S 8 | S 10 | S 10 | E 10 | E 10 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | E 9 | E 10 | NNE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ESE 10 | SSW 23 | ENE 14 | S 22 | S 14 |
| kJ | 89 | 33 | 65 | 47 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 8 | 15 | 17 | 7 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 183 | 18 | 38 | 311 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | S 19 | — | E 10 | E 9 | NNE 6 | NNE 9 | — | ENE 9 | E 17 | E 16 | NNE 3 | E 15 | ENE 9 | SE 9 | S 24 | NE 13 | ENE 8 |
| kJ | 17 | 6 | 18 | 18 | 27 | — | 16 | 15 | 3 | 7 | — | 16 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 11 | 7 | 7 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 6 | NNE 5 | — | S 2 | S 6 | S 8 | — | — | — | S 6 | S 9 | — | — | NE 7 | S 3 | S 9 | S 10 | S 11 | S 13 | S 12 | — |
| kJ | 18 | 88 | — | 1 | 239 | 587 | — | — | — | 191 | 758 | — | — | 2 | 6 | 1331 | 1768 | 1394 | 1879 | 1472 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 39 | 2 | 0 | 176 | 2 | 8 | 226 | 5 | 13 | 85 | 5 | 12 | 176 | 40 | 98 | 545 | 13 | 13 | 85 | 5 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Coast - New South Wales | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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