
Surf Forecasts:
Emerald Beach surf forecast from 16 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, SE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 10s period, ESE swell with 2,989 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period with SE 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 Saturday (Jul 18) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 9s period. 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 4.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 1PM. 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 (Jul 16) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 4PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Sun 19th Jul) | 13ft (4.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Emerald Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, surfers, Rusty here. Let's talk about what Emerald Beach is cooking up for the next couple of weeks.
First off, this is a point break, fairly consistent, exposed to swell, and loves it from the NE. Water temp is around 68°, which is about normal for this time of year. We gotta get through a rough patch on Thursday the 16th – poor conditions and a strong cross-offshore wind. It's a no-go.
Friday the 17th shows about 8ft of swell from the SE with a short period of 7 seconds, but it's messy with the cross-offshore breeze. The combined energy is moderate at 629, but not a day to get stoked about.
Here's where we get a pulse. Saturday the 18th afternoon, the wind turns offshore with a fresh breeze, and we see a 10ft swell from the SE with a 9-second period. That's a combined energy of 1282 (strong). That's big, powerful stuff. 10ft is expert territory only. It's a groundswell with some oomph, and on a point break, it'll be a heavy one.
Sunday the 19th stays huge. Morning has 10ft from the E with a 10-second period, and the afternoon jumps to 13ft from the ESE. Energy hits 1632 and 2900 – that's very strong. The wind is cross-offshore, but the forecast says it's too big for the break. Only for the absolute top-level locals.
Monday the 20th is the real standout. Morning is still a bit rough, but the afternoon dials it in. We get a clean 8ft from the E with a 10-second period (moderate energy of 1252) and a gentle cross-offshore breeze. The call is excellent conditions for experienced surfers. That's the session to aim for.
Tuesday the 21st is pure gold. The morning serves up 6ft from the E, and the wind is glassy. The afternoon is the same – 6ft, glassy. The energy is moderate (697 and 550). This is smooth, clean, point break perfection. Expect company though – crowds are likely.
After Tuesday, it fades. Wednesday the 22nd gets smaller with onshore wind junking it up. Thursday the 23rd has a glassy morning with 4ft from the ENE, which is okay but nothing special. From Friday the 24th onward, it's a total drop-off. We're talking 3ft and then down to a foot or less through the end of the month. The energy drops to weak, two-digit numbers. There's a long flat spell from the 24th all the way to the 31st.
So, the best on offer is Monday afternoon the 20th and Tuesday the 21st. Monday is the bigger, more powerful one for the experienced crew, while Tuesday gives you that glassy, fun-sized perfection for capable surfers. The huge weekend swells are only for the experts looking for a battle.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 24mm), heaviest during Fri morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu afternoon, min 15°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed morning, min 16°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSE on Sun afternoon, calm by Tue afternoon). | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 8 | NE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 9 | E 11 | E 10 | ESE 10 | SE 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
0 | 3 | 623 | 543 | 514 | 0 | 1282 | 1873 | 1632 | 2900 | 1261 | 1341 | 1252 | 1087 | 697 | 550 | 409 | 352 | 307 | 274 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-on | on | cross |
High Tide | 9:42PM1.82m | 10:15AM1.17m | 10:27PM1.71m | 11:04AM1.19m | 11:10PM1.55m | 11:55AM1.21m | 11:54PM1.37m | 12:48PM1.22m | 00:39AM1.19m | 1:44PM1.22m | 1:29AM1.04m | 2:44PM1.24m | 2:30AM0.92m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:23AM-0.02m | 3:56PM0.11m | 5:05AM0.02m | 4:47PM0.20m | 5:45AM0.08m | 5:41PM0.32m | 6:24AM0.15m | 6:40PM0.43m | 7:04AM0.22m | 7:50PM0.51m | 7:47AM0.28m | 9:09PM0.54m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | |
5:04 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | |
mm | — | 9 | 6 | — | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 15 |
Feels °C | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 19 | S 18 | SSW 18 | S 18 | S 14 | S 21 | S 21 | E 11 | E 10 | SSW 18 | E 11 | S 13 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 |
7 | 26 | 66 | 54 | 16 | 36 | 79 | 1873 | 1632 | 103 | 935 | 126 | 1252 | 1087 | 697 | 550 | 409 | 352 | 307 | 274 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NE 8 | NNE 8 | S 12 | S 19 | SSW 21 | — | S 20 | SSW 19 | S 23 | S 16 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 |
— | 3 | 6 | 11 | 28 | 88 | — | 74 | 115 | 11 | 124 | 168 | 153 | 138 | 87 | 58 | 36 | 32 | 31 | 17 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 12 | NNE 8 | — | — | — | S 26 | S 24 | S 18 | — | — | — | — | S 15 | S 15 | S 15 | S 15 | S 14 | E 12 |
— | — | 3 | 6 | — | — | — | 14 | 11 | 6 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 5 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 9 | S 7 | SSE 7 | ESE 10 | SE 10 | ESE 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
1136 | 874 | 623 | 543 | 514 | 761 | 1282 | 371 | 710 | 2900 | 1261 | 1341 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 331 | 212 | 377 | 332 | 53 | 40 | 98 | 212 | 429 | 212 | 53 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 176 | 2 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Coast - New South Wales | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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










