Surf Forecasts:
Emerald Beach surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 11s period, ESE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 10s period, ESE swell with 554 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 11s period with ESE 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 (Aug 19) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Emerald Beach in the next 16 days are 1.6m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Emerald Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's coming down the line for Emerald Beach.
This one's a bit of a mixed bag, a frustrating stretch with a few bright spots. The first real run of decent waves hits us on Wednesday morning, the 19th of August, and that's where the attention should be.
That Wednesday morning sets the stage. We've got a solid 1.6m swell coming out of the ESE, and it's packing some serious punch with a combined energy of 554 – that's moderate energy with a bit of grunt behind it. The period is a nice 10 seconds, so those waves will have some shape. But the absolute star of the show is the wind: glassy, dead calm from the south at just 3 mph. That means Emerald Beach will be clean as a whistle. It's a point break, exposed to the swell, and that NE optimum direction lines up nicely with the swell direction we're getting. It's going to be firing. Keep in mind, it's often crowded here, so get your skates on if you want a piece of it.
For the rest of the August run, it's mostly poor. Thursday the 20th sees a drop in quality with poor winds, and then we're into a run of small, weak, and messy conditions for days. Saturday morning the 22nd is glassy but tiny at 0.8m, so it's a longboard-only affair if you're desperate. There's a brief flurry of hope on Sunday the 23rd with some offshore wind and clean 0.8m surf, but it's still very ordinary. The following week, from the 25th onward, is mostly poor with onshore winds and small bumpy waves, though there's a few glimpses of clean conditions in the mornings. The surf size is lacking, and the combined energy stays low, well under 100 on most days.
Further out, Sunday the 30th of August could be worth an early look. There's a risk of thunderstorms, but we've got a light offshore wind from the south at 3 mph and a clean 0.9m swell from the E with a combined energy of 122. It's not a slab, but it's clean. Then Monday the 31st brings a moderate offshore breeze from the SSW at 16 mph, keeping the 0.8m ENE swell clean, though the energy is moderate at 114. The wind is a bit stiff, but it's offshore.
For the start of September, it's a tough stretch. Strong southerly winds will be blowing, making the conditions challenging. The swell stays small and short-period. It's mostly going to be a write-off for decent paddle surfing through the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd of September. The setup here, with the combination of wind and swell, might actually be more interesting for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer during those days.
So, to sum it up: Wednesday morning the 19th is your clear winner. After that, you're chasing scraps until maybe the 30th or 31st, but don't get your hopes up too high. It's one of those stretches where the forecast can change, but as it stands, you've got one golden morning and then a lot of time to wax your board.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 20°C on Fri morning, min 14°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sat afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Mon morning, min 14°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | SE 10 | ESE 9 | E 7 | E 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 5 | NNE 5 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 7 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | NNE 5 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
258 | 554 | 281 | 276 | 260 | 195 | 69 | 45 | 54 | 42 | 46 | 54 | 98 | 74 | 57 | 66 | 96 | 58 | 53 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 11:53PM1.08m | 12:49PM1.27m | 00:41AM0.94m | 1:49PM1.23m | 1:46AM0.84m | 2:58PM1.23m | 3:12AM0.80m | 4:07PM1.26m | 4:31AM0.82m | 5:04PM1.33m | 5:29AM0.88m | 5:51PM1.41m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:02AM0.26m | 7:10PM0.50m | 6:44AM0.35m | 8:31PM0.55m | 7:39AM0.41m | 10:01PM0.53m | 8:51AM0.44m | 11:11PM0.47m | 10:03AM0.42m | 00:00AM0.39m | 11:03AM0.36m | 00:38AM0.31m | |||||||
— | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 20 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 21 | 20 | 17 |
Feels °C | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | SE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 7 | E 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | SE 7 | E 6 | NE 6 | NE 9 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 7 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
258 | 554 | 281 | 276 | 214 | 195 | 69 | 45 | 33 | 20 | 46 | 13 | 98 | 74 | 57 | 66 | 96 | 58 | 53 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | S 11 | NE 6 | S 8 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | SE 7 | SE 7 | E 9 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SSE 7 | S 6 | S 9 | S 8 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 |
135 | 35 | 39 | 18 | 11 | 9 | 24 | 27 | 2 | 14 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 15 | 12 | 28 | 26 | 35 | 26 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 15 | S 10 | ESE 12 | — | — | SSE 8 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | S 10 | E 10 | S 9 | S 6 | S 5 | SSW 16 | S 12 | SSW 8 | S 11 |
57 | 4 | 29 | 14 | — | — | 24 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 50 | 25 | 22 | 22 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | E 7 | — | NW 3 | N 3 | NE 5 | NNE 5 | — | NE 7 | NNE 4 | SSW 6 | — | — | NW 3 | NNE 4 | NNE 5 |
— | — | — | — | 260 | — | 2 | 5 | 54 | 42 | — | 54 | 8 | 3 | — | — | 2 | 35 | 51 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 39 | 0 | 2 | 176 | 2 | 2 | 422 | 2 | 0 | 16 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 175 | 2 |
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











