Emerald Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 30.18° S 153.19° E

Emerald Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 am 28 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Emerald Beach sea temperature is
19.6° 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 28 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 3 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 11s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 3 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 11s period, SE swell with 361 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 3 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 11s 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 Monday (Aug 03) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 7s. 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 1.3m 11s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 03) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 12s period and expected on Friday (Jul 31) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4PM (Mon 3rd Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 11s
Best Surf 4PM (Mon 3rd Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 11s
Most Powerful 4PM (Mon 3rd Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 11s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s heading for Emerald Beach over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – the next week is a tough one for surfers. The energy is just not there. From Tuesday the 28th of July all the way through to the morning of Monday the 3rd of August, we’re looking at tiny, weak swell with combined energy values barely hitting 20 or 30 (weak). The winds are a mixed bag, but the lack of size is the main problem. You’ll see some glassy mornings and a few offshore windows, but with waves that small, it’s not worth paddling out unless you’re desperate for a float.

The first real glimmer of hope comes on Monday afternoon, the 3rd of August. A new SE swell pushes in at 4ft with an 11-second period, and the combined energy jumps to 387 (moderate). The wind is light and cross-offshore, so the surf should be clean. The direction is from the SE, which is close to that optimum NE for Emerald Beach, so it might hold up okay. But for a point break, that 11-second period is decent, though it’s not a classic long-period groundswell, so it might not be the kind of wave that wraps in perfectly. Still, it’s the best on offer in the first week. The water temp is sitting at 67°F – that’s about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

After that Monday afternoon window, it drops back to small and weak for a few days. There’s a slight bump on Wednesday the 5th, with 3ft and a 7-second period, but the energy is still only 64 (weak) and the conditions are just average. Not worth getting excited about.

Now, look ahead to Saturday the 8th of August. In the afternoon, a bigger SE swell shows up at 6ft with a 10-second period and combined energy of 566 (strong). That’s a solid pulse of energy. The wind is light and cross-onshore, so it won’t be perfect, but it’s the biggest swell in the whole forecast. At 6ft, it’s getting a bit much for beginners, but it’s fine for intermediates. The SE direction is not ideal for Emerald Beach – it would prefer a NE swell – so it might be a bit wobblier and less lined up than you’d hope. For a point break, the shorter 10-second period means it’ll be a bit more disorganized, but the energy is there.

Then on Wednesday the 12th of August, the morning offers a 3ft swell from the E with an 11-second period, and the combined energy is 296 (moderate). The wind is light and cross-offshore, so it’ll be clean. That’s a promising combo – a moderate energy, decent period, and clean wind. But the afternoon gets hammered by a strong offshore breeze at 25 mph, which makes it clean but very hard to paddle into. So the morning is the pick of that day.

If I had to name a standout, it’s that Monday afternoon the 3rd of August – the first real surfable day, with clean conditions and a fresh pulse. And then the Saturday afternoon the 8th of August has the most size, but it’s not perfect. Keep an eye on the Wednesday morning the 12th too, as it could be a sneaky clean session.

Overall, it’s a quiet forecast for Emerald Beach. There’s no big, long-period groundswell that’s going to make the point sing. The breaks are worth checking on those few days I mentioned, but don’t expect it to be firing. The in-between days are small and flat. That’s the way it goes sometimes – the ocean will do what it wants.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue morning, min 12°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Friday
31
Saturday
1
Sunday
2
Monday
3
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
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
ENE
7
0.3
ENE
4
0.5
NE
4
0.6
ENE
6
0.5
ENE
6
0.4
ENE
6
0.4
ENE
6
0.4
ENE
6
0.4
ENE
6
0.5
ENE
8
0.4
ENE
7
0.4
NE
7
0.3
NE
7
1.5
S
10
0.2
ENE
8
0.4
ENE
8
0.4
NE
7
0.4
ENE
7
0.2
ENE
15
1.3
SE
11
0.5
NE
5
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
5
3
9
20
17
13
16
12
13
35
21
12
7
0
7
24
14
18
22
361
14
Wind (km/h)
5
N
20
NE
10
WNW
5
WSW
10
E
10
SW
20
S
15
SSE
15
SW
15
SSW
20
SSE
15
SW
15
S
15
SSE
0
S
5
SSW
10
E
10
W
5
S
10
SE
10
SW
Wind State
glassy
on
cross
cross-off
cross
off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
glassy
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
7:35PM1.57m
7:53AM1.02m
8:10PM1.61m
8:30AM1.06m
8:44PM1.62m
9:06AM1.11m
9:16PM1.61m
9:43AM1.15m
9:49PM1.56m
10:22AM1.19m
10:24PM1.49m
11:03AM1.23m
11:02PM1.38m
Low Tide
12:53PM0.22m
2:16AM0.20m
1:33PM0.18m
2:49AM0.15m
2:10PM0.16m
3:21AM0.12m
2:48PM0.17m
3:52AM0.10m
3:26PM0.19m
4:23AM0.09m
4:07PM0.24m
4:55AM0.09m
4:53PM0.30m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:35
6:35
6:33
6:33
6:33
6:31
6:31
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:10
5:12
5:12
5:13
5:13
5:14
5:15
 mm
1
Temp °C
19
18
15
18
18
15
14
15
14
15
16
13
16
17
16
17
17
15
17
17
16
Feels °C
16
15
13
15
15
12
9
10
11
11
12
9
13
14
15
14
14
13
15
15
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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