Surf Forecasts:
Emerald Beach surf forecast from 15 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 9s period, ESE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 11s period, ESE swell with 639 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 16 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 6s 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 Sunday (Aug 16) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 6s 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 1.6m 11s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) 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 6s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 15) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Emerald Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s coming for us.
Honestly, the first week is a bit of a dud. We’ve got a long stretch of tiny surf and poor conditions – not much to get excited about. That changes come Monday, August 17th, when the ocean finally shows some life with moderate swell energy around 203.
Here's the day to circle: Wednesday, August 19th. The morning brings the best combo we’ll see. A clean 5ft swell from the ESE with a long period of 11 seconds – that’s proper groundswell. The combined energy is a strong 523. Winds are light offshore from the south at 10 km/h, so expect clean, lined-up waves.
Emerald Beach is the spot. It’s a point break with good exposure to the NE, and that ESE swell will wrap in nicely. Water temp is about 69°F, which is normal for this time of year. And remember, this place can get busy, so get there early.
Monday, August 18th is your next solid call. Morning sees a slightly bigger 5ft swell from the SE, period at 8 seconds, with combined energy at 276. Winds are a light cross-off, keeping it fairly clean.
Looking way out, Sunday, August 30th could be a glassy morning. We're looking at a 3ft swell from the ESE with a period of 10 seconds and combined energy at 328. It’s a long way off, so don’t lock it in, but a glassy morning like that is hard to beat.
Biggest takeaway: Wednesday, August 19th is your winner. Clean, proper swell, and Emerald Beach should be firing.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 26mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Tue morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu afternoon, min 14°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | SE 6 | ENE 10 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | SE 9 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 7 | ESE 7 | E 7 | ENE 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
31 | 31 | 19 | 33 | 20 | 313 | 203 | 167 | 256 | 276 | 268 | 331 | 523 | 394 | 221 | 193 | 157 | 33 | 49 | 61 | 111 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 9:55PM1.58m | 10:29AM1.34m | 10:34PM1.42m | 11:12AM1.33m | 11:12PM1.24m | 11:58AM1.31m | 11:53PM1.08m | 12:49PM1.27m | 00:41AM0.94m | 1:49PM1.23m | 1:46AM0.84m | 2:58PM1.23m | 3:12AM0.80m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:38PM0.10m | 4:20AM0.02m | 4:25PM0.20m | 4:53AM0.10m | 5:13PM0.30m | 5:26AM0.18m | 6:07PM0.41m | 6:02AM0.26m | 7:10PM0.50m | 6:44AM0.35m | 8:31PM0.55m | 7:39AM0.41m | 10:01PM0.53m | ||||||||
6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | |
— | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | 5 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | — | 7 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 |
Temp °C | 17 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 20 | 19 | 17 |
Feels °C | 12 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | SSW 18 | SE 6 | S 7 | S 14 | S 8 | S 8 | S 9 | SE 8 | ESE 14 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | SE 9 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | E 7 | ENE 7 |
31 | 31 | 113 | 33 | 106 | 104 | 97 | 90 | 62 | 276 | 71 | 174 | 523 | 394 | 221 | 193 | 157 | 56 | 49 | 61 | 111 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 19 | S 19 | ENE 10 | SSW 17 | S 17 | SSW 18 | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | ENE 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 11 | S 10 | S 8 | ENE 6 | NE 8 | NE 9 | E 7 | NE 6 | SE 7 | NNE 5 |
28 | 66 | 19 | 99 | 154 | 106 | 34 | 50 | 16 | 39 | 37 | 57 | 19 | 31 | 34 | 3 | 3 | 33 | 19 | 12 | 29 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 9 | N 8 | — | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | S 17 | ENE 9 | S 14 | S 12 | S 12 | E 10 | S 15 | S 10 | S 8 | — | E 10 | NE 6 | SSE 7 | S 12 | SE 7 |
1 | 1 | — | 20 | 20 | 17 | 52 | 28 | 33 | 26 | 25 | 7 | 4 | 8 | 28 | — | 2 | 24 | 20 | 3 | 12 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 6 | S 6 | S 7 | S 8 | SE 6 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | — | SE 8 | ESE 9 | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 2 | NNW 3 | NNE 4 | NW 3 |
239 | 267 | 414 | 221 | 61 | 313 | 203 | 167 | 256 | — | 268 | 331 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 31 | 2 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 40 | 85 | 12 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 39 | 39 | 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











