Emerald Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 30.18° S 153.19° E

Emerald Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 pm 23 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Emerald Beach sea temperature is
19.5°C
0.5° 

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: Thursday 27 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s period, ENE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 6s period, NE swell with 269 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 4AM (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 Monday (Aug 24) at 4AM. 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 1.9m 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 1.2m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Mon 24th Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 7s
Best Surf 4PM (Thu 27th Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 8s
Most Powerful10PM (Tue 25th Aug)6ft (1.9m) 6s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, it's Rusty here, and let me tell you, the forecast for the next couple of weeks is pretty damn bleak. Don't get too excited. We’ve got some swell on the charts, but it’s mostly small, short-period junk. You're going to have to be on your game to find anything worth a paddle.

Right out of the gate, the Sunday afternoon is pretty ordinary. We’ve got a small 3ft ENE swell with an 8-second period, but the cross-offshore wind has things a bit jumbled. It’s surfable, but nothing special. The water’s sitting right at the seasonal average, around 67°, so it's normal for this time of year. The wave energy is weak too, only sitting at 75.

Monday morning might look good from the beach. The wind is glassy with a light NNE breeze, and the swell is down a touch to 2ft. But that’s all it is—good looking. There’s no power behind it, and the energy is almost nothing at 47. The onshore wind kicks in by the afternoon and ruins the whole thing.

The middle of the week is a total washout. Tuesday and Wednesday are all onshore and cross-onshore winds. The swell does get a little more push—the energy numbers climb into the 100s and even over 190 on Wednesday morning—but it's just not clean. The period stays short and the surf will be a choppy mess.

Thursday, the 27th, is the first day that has a bit of life in it. The wind swings offshore from the SSW in the morning and the water will be clean. The swell is 4ft, with an 8-second period, and the energy is moderate at 157. The afternoon looks even better with a cross-offshore breeze, the swell holding at 4ft and the energy jumping to 202. This is your window. It’s not huge, but it’ll be clean and fun on the point at Emerald Beach (Mid-North-Coast). This is the standout of the whole period.

After that, it’s back to the small stuff. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are all similar. There are some glassy mornings, but the swell is just under 3ft and the energy is weak to moderate. You might get some ankle-biters if you time it right.

Then, the bottom falls out. From the 31st of August all the way through to the 7th of September, there’s just nothing. The swell drops to under 2ft, and the energy numbers fall off a cliff into the 40s and 50s. There are glassy mornings, but there’s no wave to ride. It’s a long stretch of flatness.

The long-range for the 7th shows a tiny bump to 4ft from the NE, but the period is a shocking 4 seconds and the wind is all over it. Don't bother.

So, to sum it up: Thursday the 27th is your day. Get out there in the afternoon for the cleanest, most fun surf you'll find. For the rest of the fortnight, it's a grind. The forecast for the near term is solid, but this flat, bleak spell looks like it has some legs. Keep your board ready, but don't hold your breath.

Rusty, out.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 23°C on Wed morning, min 15°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun night, fresh winds from the NNE by Tue afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 22°C on Wed afternoon, min 15°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Sun
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
1
1
0
1
1
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)
0.8
ENE
8
0.7
NE
7
0.7
NE
7
0.8
ENE
8
0.8
ENE
8
0.9
ENE
8
1.4
NE
5
1.4
ENE
7
1.4
NE
7
1.3
ENE
7
1.1
NE
7
1.1
ENE
8
1.3
ENE
8
1.1
ENE
8
0.9
ENE
8
0.9
ENE
8
0.9
ENE
8
0.9
ENE
8
0.8
ENE
8
0.9
ENE
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
75
49
47
90
80
120
91
175
194
168
119
157
202
161
109
103
96
108
82
111
Wind (km/h)
10
SE
10
WSW
5
NNE
20
NNE
10
NW
20
N
30
NNE
15
NW
10
NNW
15
ESE
25
SSW
20
SSW
15
SSE
5
WSW
5
E
15
E
5
WNW
5
NE
10
E
10
S
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
off
off
cross-off
glassy
glassy
cross-on
glassy
glassy
cross
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
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
rain showers
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
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
4
2
1
1
Temp °C
18
17
19
19
16
20
20
18
23
22
18
17
18
17
18
18
17
18
18
17
Feels °C
16
17
16
16
15
16
16
16
23
21
16
14
16
16
18
16
17
18
16
17
  • 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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