Surf Forecasts:
Emerald Beach surf forecast from 4 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 5 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 9s period, ENE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 8 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 10s period, SE swell with 424 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 5 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 9s 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 Saturday (Sep 05) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 6s. 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 1.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 8s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 10) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Sat 5th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Sat 5th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Tue 8th Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 10s |
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 what's on offer for the next couple of weeks.
Overall, it's a pretty flat and quiet outlook for the entire 16-day window. The first true surfable waves don't really show up until mid-month, and even then it's a mixed bag. We've got a solid run of flat, poor, or blown-out conditions from the start on September 4th, all the way through to the 15th. There's a long gap of over a week where there's just nothing doing.
The only real standout period comes around the 16th and 17th, but even then, conditions are rough. The first bit of hope is on Wednesday the 16th, when a bump in swell shows up. The afternoon sees a jump in size with a swell at 7 ft from the NNE, but the combined energy is at 286 – moderate energy. The problem? It's a short period swell of only 6 seconds, and it's accompanied by a fresh 19 mph offshore wind. That offshore wind will clean things up, but the short period and size will make it a handful. It's only for the experts.
The real best bet of the whole outlook is actually Thursday the 17th, but it's a real "take what you can get" situation. The morning offers a 4 ft swell from the NNE, with a combined energy of 119 (moderate), and a 12 mph cross-offshore wind. The break is Emerald Beach, a point break that's exposed to the swell. The direction is close to the optimum NE direction, and the cross-offshore wind will keep the faces fairly clean. It's a spot that's fairly consistent, but crowds are often a thing here.
The downside is that even this "best" window is scored as having poor surf conditions. The swell's period is a short 6 seconds again, so it's a bit of a windswell chop. It's manageable for an intermediate, but don't expect perfection. The water temperature is 68°F, which is about average for this time of year.
If you're looking for a paddle, wait for the morning of Thursday the 17th. Otherwise, with that strong, short-period swell and fresh wind, the setup on the 16th might look more interesting for a kite surfer than a regular surfer.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sat morning, min 15°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Thu morning. Warm (max 20°C on Wed morning, min 13°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WNW on Tue night, strong winds from the S by Wed night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | ||||||||||||||
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) | NNE 6 | ENE 9 | NNE 6 | NNE 5 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 6 | E 9 | E 9 | NE 9 | E 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | NE 4 | SE 10 | ENE 8 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 34 | 28 | 12 | 71 | 71 | 62 | 51 | 36 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 7 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 134 | 7 | 9 | 9 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | on | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:46AM0.90m | 2:42PM1.42m | 3:18AM0.88m | 3:58PM1.49m | 4:39AM0.93m | 5:03PM1.57m | 5:41AM1.03m | 5:58PM1.65m | 6:31AM1.15m | 6:45PM1.69m | 7:16AM1.26m | 7:28PM1.69m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:15PM0.40m | 7:35AM0.32m | 9:47PM0.36m | 8:58AM0.33m | 11:01PM0.26m | 10:16AM0.28m | 11:57PM0.16m | 11:22AM0.20m | 00:42AM0.07m | 12:17PM0.12m | 1:21AM0.01m | 1:06PM0.07m | 1:57AM-0.02m | |||||||
 |  | | | | | | | | |  |  | | | | | |  |  |  | |
 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — |
 | 5:32 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 11 | 3 | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 17 | 25 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 14 | 16 | 16 |
Feels °C | 19 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 8 | 10 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 5 | S 11 | S 9 | S 11 | S 10 | NNE 6 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | S 11 | S 10 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | S 13 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 16 | S 23 | S 23 |
| kJ | 19 | 326 | 74 | 63 | 67 | 62 | 51 | 36 | 1188 | 544 | 15 | 7 | 7 | 2252 | 935 | 530 | 223 | 48 | 91 | 510 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 6 | NE 6 | S 13 | S 8 | E 10 | S 10 | S 10 | E 10 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NE 9 | NNE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | E 16 | SE 10 | ENE 8 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 |
| kJ | 34 | 22 | 89 | 33 | 18 | 30 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 3 | 12 | 7 | 16 | 16 | 5 | 134 | 7 | 9 | 8 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | ENE 9 | NNE 6 | E 9 | SE 5 | E 10 | E 10 | — | E 10 | E 9 | NE 9 | — | — | NE 8 | E 17 | S 18 | NNE 4 | E 15 | NE 15 | NE 15 |
| kJ | 51 | 28 | 12 | 16 | 1 | 18 | 17 | — | 7 | 15 | 3 | — | — | 2 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 9 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 3 | — | — | NNE 5 | NNE 6 | SSE 3 | S 6 | S 8 | — | — | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 10 | — | — | NE 4 | — | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 |
| kJ | 2 | — | — | 71 | 71 | 3 | 151 | 558 | — | — | 297 | 731 | 1341 | — | — | 12 | — | 1465 | 1421 | 901 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 13 | 0 | 2 | 268 | 2 | 0 | 223 | 0 | 8 | 186 | 5 | 98 | 85 | 5 | 2 | 268 | 13 | 53 | 821 | 85 |
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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