Surf Forecasts:
Emerald Beach surf forecast from 13 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 18 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 9s period, SE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 18 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 10s period, SE swell with 251 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 18 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 9s 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 Friday (Sep 18) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 9s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Emerald Beach in the next 16 days are 1.1m 10s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 18) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 4.5m 10s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Fri 18th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Fri 18th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Fri 18th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Emerald Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let me break down what’s shaking at Emerald Beach for the next couple weeks.
Honestly, the first week and a half is a total write-off. There’s a massive gap of nothing from now until the end of the month. Day after day of tiny, blown-out junk or straight-up flatness. Don’t bother suiting up until Saturday, September 26th. It’s a long wait.
Saturday the 26th is the first flicker of hope. You’ll see a small, weak swell bump in around 3ft from the NNE with a short, weak period of 5 seconds. The wind is light from the S, keeping it smooth. The wave energy is very weak (43). It’s not a classic, but after the flat spell, it’s a chance to get wet on a longboard.
Sunday the 27th of September is the real standout. The morning is the moment. Expect a cleaner 4ft swell from the NNE, still a short period of 5 seconds, but with a light offshore wind from the S. It’ll be clean and fun for an intermediate surfer. The energy is still modest (69), so you’ll be scratching for them.
Later on Sunday afternoon, the swell jumps to 6ft from the NE with a 6-second period, and the energy hits a moderate 220. There’s some push, but the wind shifts cross-shore, so it gets messier. That’s getting too big for beginners, and the conditions won’t be clean.
By Monday the 28th, the wind goes onshore again and the quality tanks. The swell stays around 5ft to 7ft, but it’s choppy and ugly. Skip it.
So, to keep it simple: a long dry spell, then a small window on the 26th and 27th. The absolute pick of the lot is the morning of Sunday, September 27th. That’s your session.
Water temp is 69°, which is normal for this time of year.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Sun night, fresh winds from the S by Tue night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sat morning, min 12°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the S on Wed afternoon, calm by Fri afternoon). | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | ||||||||||||||
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 13 | ENE 13 | E 10 | NE 4 | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | NNE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 13 | ENE 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 | N 16 | N 16 | E 12 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 10 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 17 | 17 | 8 | 41 | 67 | 42 | 116 | 118 | 12 | 18 | 17 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 251 | 183 | 68 | 113 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | on | on | cross-on | on | on | off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 9:23PM1.40m | 9:51AM1.47m | 9:59PM1.26m | 10:30AM1.44m | 10:35PM1.12m | 11:11AM1.38m | 11:15PM0.99m | 11:58AM1.31m | 00:04AM0.88m | 12:56PM1.24m | 1:14AM0.80m | 2:09PM1.21m | 2:46AM0.78m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:32AM0.06m | 4:03PM0.19m | 4:02AM0.14m | 4:47PM0.28m | 4:33AM0.22m | 5:36PM0.38m | 5:08AM0.31m | 6:35PM0.46m | 5:50AM0.39m | 7:52PM0.52m | 6:49AM0.46m | 9:21PM0.51m | ||||||||
 |  | | | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — |
 | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 16 | 20 | 19 | 16 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 13 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 21 | 20 | 18 |
Feels °C | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 10 | 7 | 4 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 18 | 17 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | SSE 10 | NNE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 13 | ENE 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 | S 19 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | NNE 5 |
| kJ | 250 | 198 | 312 | 180 | 88 | 56 | 32 | 118 | 12 | 18 | 17 | 7 | 7 | 28 | 825 | 611 | 239 | 211 | 133 | 37 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 18 | ENE 4 | E 10 | E 10 | E 12 | ENE 14 | E 14 | S 10 | NE 14 | — | — | S 19 | S 19 | E 12 | E 12 | S 18 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 10 |
| kJ | 104 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 21 | 4 | 17 | 8 | — | — | 7 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 251 | 183 | 68 | 113 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 13 | ENE 13 | E 12 | E 12 | E 16 | E 9 | E 9 | E 14 | — | — | — | — | — | N 16 | N 16 | E 12 | S 18 | S 17 | SE 12 | S 9 |
| kJ | 17 | 17 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 5 | 3 | 55 | 153 | 144 | 61 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NNW 3 | NE 4 | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | S 10 | S 8 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | — | — | NW 2 | NNW 3 | NNE 4 | N 5 |
| kJ | — | — | 1 | 41 | 67 | 42 | 116 | 48 | 1075 | 2657 | 3431 | 2186 | 1782 | 1390 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 18 | 65 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 176 | 2 | 39 | 413 | 2 | 39 | 268 | 13 | 422 | 1161 | 626 | 98 | 98 | 13 | 12 | 39 | 2 | 78 | 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
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