
Surf Forecasts:
Emerald Beach surf forecast from 11 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 8s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 17 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 8s period, SE swell with 672 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 12 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 10s 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 Wednesday (Aug 12) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 10s 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 2.3m 8s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-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 15) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Mon 17th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Emerald Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, I'm gonna lay it out for you in feet and miles per hour, the way it feels out there.
Right now, the water temp is pretty normal for the season. The start is real slow. Wednesday and Thursday are barely knee-high, with the wind blowing cross-on and cross-off, just messing with what little bump there is. The energy is weak (100), and the 9-second period is just wind slop. Not worth the walk.
Friday through Sunday, the swell just disappears. We're talking ankle-deep, maybe 1 feet, and while the wind goes offshore early, the wave energy is pitiful (30-33). It's a clean, flat ocean. Time to check your gear, not your wax.
Then Monday the 17th afternoon, things perk up. A 8-foot swell from the SE hits with an 8-second period, and the energy jumps to 678 (moderate). The wind is cross-off and clean. This is the first real surfable day, but the short period will make it a bit lumpy. Not the best, but a start.
Tuesday the 18th through Thursday the 21st is the window. Tuesday morning is 7 feet of SE swell, 513 energy, clean cross-off wind. But the real standout is Thursday the 20th morning. That's 8 feet from the east, a 10-second period (groundswell), and a strong energy reading of 956. The wind is light offshore from the SSW. That's clean, powerful, and will hold its shape. This is your best bet.
Friday the 21st morning is 6 feet of ENE swell, 10 seconds, 603 energy, and glassy. That's a perfect, clean morning.
The weekend (22nd and 23rd) gets messy. Swell is still there, around 7 feet, and the period stretches to 11 seconds (longer period). But the wind swings onshore and cross-on, chopping it up. The 22nd morning has a cross-on breeze and a huge energy reading of 1167 (very strong), but the quality is only marginal. Raw power, but the wind is a problem.
Monday the 24th afternoon is a sneaky good one. 7 feet of NE swell with a shorter 7-second period, but the wind goes glassy. Could be fun and punchy if the tide works.
Tuesday the 25th and Wednesday the 26th mornings are glassy again, but the swell drops to 4 feet and 4 feet. Good for a log.
The standout is Thursday the 20th morning. That 8-foot east swell with the light offshore SSW wind and 10-second period is going to peel cleanly down the point. The crowds are often there, but for that quality, it's worth it.
Second best is Friday the 21st morning. Similar size, glassy, and clean. Perfect dawn patrol.
After that, the swell fades out into the 27th, back to tiny, weak junk.
That's the story. Eyes on the 20th and 21st.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Wed morning, min 12°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 31mm), heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat morning, min 13°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | ||||||||||||||
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 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ESE 6 | E 5 | SE 8 | ESE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
72 | 90 | 92 | 69 | 66 | 49 | 45 | 44 | 43 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 31 | 33 | 33 | 36 | 59 | 672 | 403 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:32AM1.14m | 7:51PM1.83m | 8:19AM1.21m | 8:34PM1.80m | 9:03AM1.28m | 9:16PM1.71m | 9:46AM1.32m | 9:55PM1.58m | 10:29AM1.34m | 10:34PM1.42m | 11:12AM1.33m | 11:12PM1.24m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:48AM0.01m | 1:15PM0.03m | 2:30AM-0.04m | 2:04PM0.02m | 3:09AM-0.05m | 2:51PM0.04m | 3:45AM-0.03m | 3:38PM0.10m | 4:20AM0.02m | 4:25PM0.20m | 4:53AM0.10m | 5:13PM0.30m | |||||||
— | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 5 | 17 | 3 | 5 | 15 |
Temp °C | 15 | 20 | 20 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 |
Feels °C | 12 | 16 | 18 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 11 | S 10 | ENE 9 | S 8 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | SSW 16 | ESE 6 | SSE 8 | S 16 | S 9 |
94 | 403 | 264 | 69 | 256 | 49 | 45 | 44 | 43 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 31 | 33 | 90 | 36 | 402 | 20 | 43 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | NE 6 | ENE 9 | S 21 | S 19 | S 16 | S 19 | SSW 16 | S 15 | S 19 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | ENE 10 | SSW 15 | ENE 10 | E 9 | ENE 9 |
72 | 90 | 92 | 6 | 66 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 52 | 17 | 28 | 71 | 99 | 33 | 71 | 31 | 6 | 17 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | NE 6 | NE 6 | N 11 | N 11 | S 21 | NE 10 | N 8 | NE 9 | N 9 | — | S 15 | — | S 17 | S 16 | ENE 10 | S 13 | — | S 15 |
121 | 10 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | — | 4 | — | 207 | 137 | 32 | 14 | — | 4 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 2 | — | NE 3 | SSW 10 | S 8 | S 8 | S 7 | S 9 | S 8 | S 7 | S 6 | S 6 | S 7 | S 6 | S 7 | S 7 | E 5 | SE 8 | ESE 8 |
1 | — | 1 | 253 | 377 | 364 | 311 | 459 | 298 | 264 | 263 | 307 | 366 | 185 | 173 | 97 | 59 | 672 | 403 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 85 | 5 | 13 | 85 | 12 | 98 | 98 | 12 | 13 | 118 | 12 | 12 | 85 | 49 |
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











