Emerald Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 30.18° S 153.19° E

Emerald Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 pm 27 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Emerald Beach sea temperature is
20.0°C
0.1° 

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 27 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 8s period, ENE swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 7s period, SE swell with 79 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 8s 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 Thursday (Aug 27) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 8s 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 0.9m 7s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 31) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.1m 7s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 10PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Thu 27th Aug)2.5ft (0.7m) 8s
Best Surf10PM (Thu 27th Aug)2.5ft (0.7m) 8s
Most Powerful 4AM (Mon 31st Aug)3ft (0.9m) 7s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s cookin’ at Emerald Beach for the next couple weeks.

First things first—there’s a long, dry stretch of nothing much. From now all the way through to the morning of Wednesday September 9th, you’ve got over a week of tiny, weak, and mostly messy surf. Most days the swell sits below 2 ft, and when it does show a little bump, the wind or tide ruins it. That Thursday morning of September 4th has glassy conditions with 3 ft of weak, short-period NNE swell, but it’s barely surfable. Not worth getting wet for. It’s a quiet spell, but that’s just how it goes sometimes around here.

The real deal finally shows up on Wednesday, September 9th in the morning. That’s your standout. We’re looking at a solid 7 ft swell from the SE with a 12-second period—proper long-period groundswell with serious energy (1212 on the scale). A moderate offshore wind from the south is gonna keep the surface clean and glassy. This is excellent surf, but at that size, it’s for experienced surfers only. Beginners, stay on the sand.

That afternoon of the 9th drops to 6 ft SE swell at 11 seconds (910 energy) with moderate cross-offshore winds. Still clean, still decent, but not as good as the morning. Then on Thursday, September 10th afternoon, a smaller pulse of 3 ft SE swell with 9-second period (201 energy) and light winds gives “good surf conditions.” Not a hero wave, but a fun little session to cap off the week.

Water temp at the start of the forecast (August 27) is 68°F, which is pretty normal for this time of year—no big anomaly.

Emerald Beach is a point break, and it’s fairly consistent, but it really likes swell from the NE. Most of what we’re getting is from the SE or ENE, not its ideal angle. That long-period SE swell on the 9th might break a bit straight for a beach break, but on a point, it can still produce some nice shaped waves. Just expect longer lulls between sets.

Crowds are often an issue here, so if you’re chasing that Wednesday morning session, get in early.

Bottom line: the first week is a bust. The only real highlight is that Wednesday morning of September 9th. That’s your window.

- Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Wed morning, min 14°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Thu
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
ENE
8
0.7
ENE
8
0.6
ENE
8
0.5
ENE
8
0.5
ENE
8
0.6
ENE
9
0.5
ENE
9
0.5
E
8
0.4
ENE
8
0.5
E
10
0.4
ENE
9
0.4
ENE
9
0.4
ENE
9
0.3
ENE
11
0.5
E
10
0.5
E
10
0.5
E
10
0.5
E
10
0.5
E
10
1
N
6
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
76
58
41
35
39
58
44
37
22
47
28
26
25
22
53
51
50
49
49
62
Wind (km/h)
20
SSE
10
SW
5
SE
15
ESE
10
SSW
15
S
25
S
20
SSW
20
S
20
SSE
10
SW
20
SSW
15
SSE
10
WSW
10
N
25
NNE
10
NNW
5
N
15
NNE
10
NW
Wind State
cross-off
off
glassy
cross
off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross
High Tide
7:40PM1.60m
8:03AM1.20m
8:13PM1.60m
8:38AM1.27m
8:46PM1.57m
9:14AM1.34m
9:20PM1.51m
9:52AM1.39m
9:57PM1.41m
10:33AM1.41m
10:38PM1.28m
11:20AM1.42m
11:26PM1.14m
Low Tide
2:11AM0.09m
1:51PM0.13m
2:41AM0.05m
2:30PM0.12m
3:11AM0.03m
3:10PM0.14m
3:41AM0.03m
3:54PM0.17m
4:14AM0.06m
4:42PM0.23m
4:50AM0.11m
5:38PM0.30m
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:07
6:07
6:05
6:03
6:03
6:01
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:28
5:29
5:29
5:30
5:30
5:30
5:31
 mm
Temp °C
18
17
18
17
17
18
18
16
17
17
15
18
18
16
20
19
16
23
23
20
Feels °C
14
15
16
15
16
14
14
12
14
14
12
15
16
16
16
14
15
19
19
17
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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