Emerald Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 30.18° S 153.19° E

Emerald Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 am 23 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Emerald Beach sea temperature is
19.7°C
0.3° 

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 23 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 7s period, ENE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 6s period, NE swell with 292 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 7s 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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 7s 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 2.0m 6s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Sun 23rd Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 7s
Best Surf 7PM (Sun 23rd Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 7s
Most Powerful10PM (Tue 25th Aug)6.5ft (2.0m) 6s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here with a look at the next couple of weeks at Emerald Beach. It's a bit of a mixed bag, but there are a few windows where it'll be worth wetting a line.

Overall, the pattern is small, with a lot of onshore and cross-onshore wind messing things up. We've got a long stretch of pretty ordinary conditions to start, but things look set to clean right up for a few choice sessions. The water temp is sitting at 68°, which is about average for this time of year.

Let's kick off with Sunday the 23rd. The morning is surfable but nothing to write home about. We've got 2ft of short-period ENE windswell (62 energy) and a moderate 12 mph offshore from the south keeping things clean enough for a paddle, but it's not gonna blow your mind. The afternoon is cleaner with a lighter 6 mph cross-offshore, but it's still small.

Monday the 24th is where we get our first real standout. The morning is looking mint – glassy conditions with a 3 mph offshore from the ENE. The swell is still small at 3ft and a short period of 6 seconds, but with that wind, it’ll be clean as a whistle. Perfect for a longboard or a funboard. The afternoon gets ruined by a 12 mph onshore, so get out early.

Tuesday the 25th is a write-off with strong onshore winds and building, messy surf. Not worth your time.

Wednesday the 26th afternoon sees a return of glassy conditions with 4ft of NE swell (109 energy). Another good window for some clean, cruisy waves on the log.

Thursday the 27th is solid. Both morning and afternoon we’ve got a gentle offshore wind with 3ft of ENE swell at 8 seconds (around 128-129 energy). This is the longest stretch of clean, rideable waves we have.

Friday the 28th morning is glassy again with 3ft of swell (98 energy). Another classic morning session if you can sneak out.

After that, we hit a long, dry spell. From Friday afternoon through to the end of the first week of September, it’s mostly onshore, choppy, or plain poor. There are a few moments with offshore wind on Sunday the 30th and Monday the 31st, but the swell is back down to 2ft.

Now, looking ahead, the best swell of the whole outlook shows up on Saturday the 5th of September. The afternoon sees a jump in energy to 266 – moderate but the biggest we've seen. We get 4ft of NE swell, and a light 6 mph cross-shore wind. It's a marginal call due to tide, but that's the one to keep an eye on. If it cleans up, that'll be the pick.

So, to wrap it up: get in the water Monday morning the 24th, Wednesday afternoon the 26th, Thursday the 27th, or Friday morning the 28th. Everything else in this two-week run is pretty average. The long-range call for Saturday the 5th of September has potential, so check back closer to the day.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 21°C on Tue morning, min 15°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun night, fresh winds from the NNE by Tue afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 23°C on Wed morning, min 15°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
ENE
8
0.7
ENE
8
0.9
ENE
7
0.9
ENE
6
0.7
ENE
8
0.7
ENE
8
1
NE
8
1.5
NE
5
1.4
ENE
7
1.3
NE
7
1.1
NE
7
1
ENE
7
1
ENE
8
1
ENE
8
0.9
ENE
8
0.9
ENE
8
0.8
ENE
8
0.9
ENE
8
0.9
ENE
8
0.7
ENE
9
0.7
ENE
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
59
50
68
64
62
62
132
100
175
143
109
114
122
128
100
98
78
96
101
79
75
Wind (km/h)
20
S
10
SE
10
WSW
5
ENE
20
NE
10
NW
15
N
30
NNE
10
NW
10
NW
5
ESE
20
SSW
15
S
15
SE
0
SW
5
NE
15
ENE
5
N
5
NNE
15
SE
15
SSW
Wind State
off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
off
off
cross-off
glassy
glassy
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-off
off
High Tide
5:04PM1.33m
5:29AM0.88m
5:51PM1.41m
6:14AM0.95m
6:31PM1.49m
6:52AM1.03m
7:06PM1.56m
7:28AM1.11m
7:40PM1.60m
8:03AM1.20m
8:13PM1.60m
8:38AM1.27m
8:46PM1.57m
Low Tide
10:03AM0.42m
00:00AM0.39m
11:03AM0.36m
00:38AM0.31m
11:51AM0.29m
1:11AM0.22m
12:33PM0.22m
1:42AM0.15m
1:12PM0.16m
2:11AM0.09m
1:51PM0.13m
2:41AM0.05m
2:30PM0.12m
3:11AM0.03m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
light rain
part cloud
thunderstorm
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
clear
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
clear
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:13
6:11
6:11
6:09
6:09
6:07
6:07
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:25
5:27
5:27
5:28
5:28
5:29
5:29
 mm
1
3
1
1
1
2
1
Temp °C
18
18
17
18
19
16
21
20
18
23
22
16
18
17
17
18
18
17
18
18
17
Feels °C
15
16
17
18
16
15
18
16
16
22
22
13
16
15
17
18
16
17
18
16
15
  • 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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