Emerald Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 30.18° S 153.19° E

Emerald Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 am 10 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 9 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 11 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s period, NNE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 10 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 7s period, NNE swell with 604 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 11 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s 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 Tuesday (Aug 11) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m and 3s is also forecast. 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 2.4m 7s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 10) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 9s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 13) at 10PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Tue 11th Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 8s
Best Surf 4AM (Tue 11th Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 8s
Most Powerful10AM (Mon 10th Aug)8ft (2.4m) 7s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s cut straight to it. The next two weeks are a real mixed bag. We’ve got a whole lot of nothing for the first week, then a proper pulse of energy rolls in for the final few days. You’re gonna want to keep your eye on the back half of the forecast, because that’s where the magic happens.

The opening days are a write-off. Monday the 10th is a complete no-go, with a fresh cross-onshore breeze turning the place into a lumpy mess. Tuesday and Wednesday aren’t much better, with only ankle-biters on offer and a bit of morning glass that’s worth a paddle if you’re desperate for a grovel. That run of poor to ordinary conditions stretches all the way through to the 16th. It’s a long, flat, and frustrating stretch, so don’t bust your gut trying to find something rideable.

Things finally start to stir on Monday the 17th. The swell bumps up a bit, but it’s short-period windswell and the winds aren't doing us any favors. It’s surfable, but it’s not going to win any awards. The real change comes on Thursday the 20th. The morning sees a clean 4ft of east swell with a moderate offshore wind, and the energy is starting to build. It finally feels like it's on. Friday the 21st is even better, with 5ft of east swell, a gentle offshore wind, and clean conditions all day. This is where you want to be. The energy is solid, and it’s a proper sign of things to come.

Then we hit the standout. Saturday morning the 22nd is good, with 6ft of east swell and clean conditions, but the real gem is Sunday the 23rd. We’re looking at a solid 8ft of east swell and it’s dead glassy. The wind is calm, the waves are powerful, and the conditions are absolutely perfect for experienced surfers. This is the pick of the entire forecast. It’s going to be big, clean, and punchy, so if you know what you’re doing, this is your day. The afternoon gets a bit sketchy with a light cross-onshore, but the morning session will be one to remember. Monday the 24th backs off a touch to 6ft, but the wind turns onshore and it gets messy, so don't expect much.

For the standout, you’ve gotta be at Emerald Beach (the place is exposed, so it’s gonna handle this size). This is a point break, and with that east swell coming in at 10 seconds, it’s going to be lining up nicely. The crowd factor is something to consider—it says it can get busy, so get there early for the glassy Sunday morning session. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so don’t stress about that.

So, to sum it up: the first week is a total dud, with a good 7-8 day gap of nothing. The second week is the one to watch. Friday the 21st is a solid warm-up, but Sunday the 23rd is the standout. It’s big, it’s clean, and it’s going to be firing. Don’t sleep on it.

Rusty out.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNW on Mon morning, calm by Wed morning).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat morning, min 13°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
10
Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
Sunday
16
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
1
1
1
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
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)
2.4
NNE
7
1.5
NNE
8
1.1
NNE
8
0.7
ENE
9
0.6
ENE
9
0.6
ENE
10
0.7
ENE
9
0.7
ENE
9
0.6
ENE
10
0.5
E
9
0.5
E
9
0.4
ENE
10
0.4
ENE
9
0.4
ENE
10
0.3
ENE
10
0.3
ENE
10
0.3
ENE
10
0.9
SE
7
0.4
SE
9
0.3
ENE
10
1.1
SE
7
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
604
247
131
82
62
72
90
92
71
44
45
30
29
30
18
18
18
91
31
20
118
Wind (km/h)
30
NNW
25
NW
15
NW
10
WSW
10
S
10
WNW
5
NNE
20
ENE
10
WSW
10
S
20
SSE
15
SW
20
SSW
20
SSE
20
SSW
25
S
25
S
25
SSW
25
SSW
25
S
20
SW
Wind State
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
High Tide
6:12PM1.72m
6:42AM1.06m
7:04PM1.80m
7:32AM1.14m
7:51PM1.83m
8:19AM1.21m
8:34PM1.80m
9:03AM1.28m
9:16PM1.71m
9:46AM1.32m
9:55PM1.58m
10:29AM1.34m
10:34PM1.42m
Low Tide
11:25AM0.16m
1:02AM0.09m
12:23PM0.09m
1:48AM0.01m
1:15PM0.03m
2:30AM-0.04m
2:04PM0.02m
3:09AM-0.05m
2:51PM0.04m
3:45AM-0.03m
3:38PM0.10m
4:20AM0.02m
4:25PM0.20m
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
clear
rain showers
heavy rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:26
6:24
6:24
6:22
6:22
6:20
6:20
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:19
5:19
5:20
5:20
5:21
5:22
5:22
 mm
3
1
11
Temp °C
18
18
16
20
21
15
19
19
14
17
17
14
17
17
15
18
18
15
18
17
15
Feels °C
11
11
11
16
19
13
15
15
10
13
12
10
13
13
12
13
13
10
12
12
12
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
How to use the Wavefinder 
submit an eyeball surf report

Quick surf report for Emerald Beach:

join our community of surf reporters

FREE! Surf-Forecast.com widget for your website

The surf report / weather widget below is available to embed on third party websites free of charge and provides a summary of our Emerald Beach surf forecast. Simply grab the html code snippet that we provide and paste it into your own site. You can choose your preferred language and metric/imperial units for the surf forecast feed to suit users of your site. Click here to get the code.


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

Nearest locationNearest