Surf Forecasts:
Emerald Beach surf forecast from 1 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 3 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period, NNE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 8 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 7s period, NNE swell with 533 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 3 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period with NNE 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 (Sep 03) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 6s 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 2.5m 7s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 13s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Tue 8th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Emerald Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at the 16-day picture for Emerald Beach.
To be straight with you, this is a tough run. We're looking at a long stretch of conditions that just won't line up for a decent paddle. The whole first week and a half is basically a write-off. There’s a huge gap from Tuesday the 1st right through to about the 13th of September where the surf is small, onshore, or just plain messy. You'll be staring at flat, bumpy water with no real energy to speak of.
The one faint glimmer, and I mean faint, shows up on Monday the 14th. There's a pulse of energy coming in from the southeast, lifting the swell to about 4ft. The combined swell energy hits a moderate 323, which is the most we see all period. But here’s the kicker – the wind is howling onshore from the northeast. That’s going to chop it up something fierce, making it a real battle just to get out back. It’s marginal at best, and honestly, it’s more of a "check it if you're desperate" situation than a recommendation.
We do get a brief moment of glass on the afternoon of Tuesday the 15th. The wind drops to nothing, but the swell is just a weak, short-period 4ft from the ESE (energy at 145). It’ll be rideable, but very ordinary. Not a standout, just a brief reprieve from the wind.
Everything else in the outlook is rated as poor. There’s no true window here for a good session. The water temp is sitting at 68°F, which is pretty standard for this time of year, nothing unusual there.
Honestly, for the first two weeks, this setup is more interesting for the kite surfers if they get a strong north-easterly. For us paddle surfers, it’s a blank run. This sort of quiet spell is pretty normal for the area, so don't lose hope. Forecasts can shift.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Thu morning, min 16°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Sat morning, min 15°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | ||||||||||||||
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) | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | N 5 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | NNE 5 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | ENE 10 | NE 5 | NE 4 | NE 5 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 71 | 49 | 49 | 49 | 46 | 54 | 69 | 62 | 33 | 24 | 17 | 17 | 83 | 64 | 45 | 22 | 19 | 14 | 27 | 38 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | on | on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 10:38PM1.28m | 11:20AM1.42m | 11:26PM1.14m | 12:16PM1.41m | 00:26AM1.00m | 1:24PM1.40m | 1:46AM0.90m | 2:42PM1.42m | 3:18AM0.88m | 3:58PM1.49m | 4:39AM0.93m | 5:03PM1.57m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:42PM0.23m | 4:50AM0.11m | 5:38PM0.30m | 5:33AM0.18m | 6:47PM0.37m | 6:26AM0.26m | 8:15PM0.40m | 7:35AM0.32m | 9:47PM0.36m | 8:58AM0.33m | 11:01PM0.26m | 10:16AM0.28m | 11:57PM0.16m | |||||||
 |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — |
 | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:34 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 18 | 25 | 23 | 21 | 30 | 30 | 24 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 28 | 27 | 25 | 21 | 19 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 19 |
Feels °C | 15 | 15 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 26 | 27 | 22 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 23 | 25 | 23 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | NNE 6 | S 6 | S 6 | S 11 | S 8 | S 11 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | S 13 | S 10 | S 12 | S 10 |
| kJ | 306 | 196 | 146 | 112 | 81 | 48 | 52 | 62 | 58 | 53 | 269 | 49 | 86 | 64 | 45 | 22 | 810 | 192 | 472 | 247 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | S 10 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | ENE 9 | E 9 | S 10 | SSW 9 | S 8 | NNE 6 | S 13 | E 9 | E 9 |
| kJ | 50 | 49 | 49 | 49 | 46 | 31 | 30 | 53 | 33 | 24 | 13 | 17 | 16 | 53 | 29 | 23 | 13 | 173 | 15 | 15 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | NE 12 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 11 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | ENE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | ENE 9 | S 16 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | NE 5 | — | NNE 8 |
| kJ | 71 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 33 | 30 | 31 | 34 | 34 | 17 | 45 | 10 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 14 | — | 6 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 4 | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | NNE 4 | N 5 | N 5 | NNE 6 | SSW 4 | — | — | — | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | W 2 | SSE 4 | SSE 5 | — | — | NE 4 | NE 5 |
| kJ | 16 | 39 | 17 | 37 | 33 | 54 | 69 | 10 | — | — | — | 15 | 83 | 1 | 26 | 37 | — | — | 27 | 38 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 284 | 2 | 2 | 16 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 13 | 176 | 2 | 2 | 39 | 0 | 0 | 98 | 12 | 39 | 413 | 2 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Coast - New South Wales | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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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