Emerald Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, it’s Rusty, and I’ve got a look at what’s coming down the line at Emerald Beach. Frankly, for a point break that’s exposed to a NE optimum swell, we’ve got a long, quiet stretch ahead. The first surfable waves don’t show up until Monday the 17th, and even then, it’s a mixed bag. The whole 16-day window has some promise tucked away in the second week, but you’ll need patience.

Right now and through the weekend, it’s tiny—2ft to 2ft—with mostly clean conditions Thursday afternoon and a nice offshore SSW breeze Friday morning and Saturday, but there’s just no energy. The combined swell energy sits dead low, between 27 and 49, so it’s weak stuff, not worth paddling for.

Monday the 17th morning brings a change: the swell jumps to 6ft from the SE, but the period is a short 7 seconds—windswell, really—and the combined energy hits 405 (moderate). It’s cross-off wind, so it’ll be clean enough, but that short period means lumpy, sectiony waves. Afternoon turns cross-shore and messy, with 5ft. Tuesday the 18th holds similar 5ft to 6ft swell, short period again, though Tuesday afternoon has a clean cross-off wind. This whole stretch Monday into Tuesday is more for kites than paddles—beach and reef setup, short-period chop, and strong energy—honestly, kite surfers should have a ball.

Wednesday the 19th is the standout. Morning brings a clean 3ft swell from the SE with a 7-second period, but it’s offshore from the SSW at 12 mph—clean faces. Afternoon goes lighter, with a 9-second period and cross-off breeze. The combined energy sits at 211 to 238 (moderate). It’s not huge, but for Emerald Beach, that’s the pick: manageable size, offshore wind, and a point break that’ll shape up nicely. Crowds are often, so expect company. The water temp is about 67°, which is normal for this time of year—no surprises there.

Thursday the 20th drops back to 3ft to 3ft, clean but ordinary. From there, things get iffy again with onshore winds and poor surf through Friday the 21st and Saturday the 22nd. Then Sunday the 23rd morning is a real highlight: glassy conditions, zero wind, and 4ft swell from the ENE with a 9-second period. Combined energy is 240 (moderate). That’s a rare, clean morning for a point break—longer-period groundswell, so waves will have shape and power, though it may break a bit straight on the beach sections. Still, glassy and 4ft? That’s worth an early paddle.

After that, it’s a slow fade. Monday the 24th and Tuesday the 25th have 2ft to 3ft clean-ish mornings, but energy drops to 71 to 184. The rest of the week into the 28th is tiny again, under 2ft, with onshore winds and poor conditions. The last good chance is that Sunday morning the 23rd—by then it’s over a week away, but it’s promising.

So, the pick of the window: Wednesday the 19th for a clean, offshore 3ft point session, and Sunday the 23rd morning for a glassy 4ft dawn patrol. Everything else is either tiny, messy, or better left to the kite crew.

Rusty.

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