Emerald Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 30.18° S 153.19° E

Emerald Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 pm 03 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Emerald Beach sea temperature is
20.0°C
0.2° 

Emerald Beach surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Emerald Beach surf forecast from 3 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 7s period, NNE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 9 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s period, SE swell with 135 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 4 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 7s 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 Friday (Sep 04) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 7s 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 1.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 09) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore 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 TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Fri 4th Sep)3.5ft (1.0m) 7s
Best Surf 1AM (Fri 4th Sep)3.5ft (1.0m) 7s
Most Powerful 7AM (Wed 9th Sep)3.5ft (1.0m) 8s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Emerald Beach over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ll be straight with you – for the next sixteen days, Emerald Beach is looking like a tough gig. We’ve got a long, frustrating stretch of nothing much for a surfer, but let’s walk through it so you know what you’re dealing with.

For the first week or so, it’s pretty grim. There’s a brief flicker of hope on the morning of Thursday the 3rd of September, with a modest 5 ft swell from the NNE, but it’s a short-period 6 second wind swell, wonky cross-shore wind from the NW at 19 mph, and the wave comment calls it “marginal.” The water temp is a very comfortable 68°, which is pretty much spot on for this time of year, so at least a dip won’t bite. But honestly, that’s the only real event for days.

After that Thursday, we hit a proper desert. From Friday the 4th right through to the morning of Thursday the 17th of September – that’s nearly two full weeks – there’s nothing worth paddling out for. Wave heights are tiny, mostly under 3 ft, the wind is all over the shop with a lot of onshore or cross-onshore slop, and the combined swell energy rarely cracks triple digits. For example, Saturday the 5th afternoon has a 4 ft wave but with a horrible 16 mph onshore wind from the NNE. No good. The 8th of September morning sees a rare offshore breeze from the S at 12 mph, but with only 1.0 ft of swell, you’re not catching a thing. There’s a brief pulse on Monday the 14th afternoon with 6 ft coming from the NNE and 6 second period, but the wind is howling onshore from the NNE at 19 mph, and the energy reading is 257 – moderate in the tank but blown to bits. Tuesday the 15th afternoon pushes 7 ft from the NNE, period still 6 seconds, but again, 19 mph onshore NNE wind, so it’s a washing machine. That’s kite-surf stuff, not paddle surfing.

The one true standout – and I’m using the term loosely – is the very last call in the period. On the morning of Friday the 18th of September, we get a little pulse of 2 ft from the ENE, period of 8 seconds, and a clean offshore wind from the SSW at 9 mph. The wave comment says “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions.” The combined energy is just 58, so weak. It’s not going to blow anyone’s mind, but after two weeks of nothing, it’s the only window with a hint of shape. If you’re desperate, that’s your only real shot. Even then, be warned: the break is a point setup, and it’s fairly consistent, but the optimum swell direction is NE – we’re getting ENE, so it’s not a perfect match. Crowds can be often around here, but honestly, on a 2 ft morning with weak energy, you might have it to yourself.

So there you have it. A long blank run, one very ordinary option at the very end. Forecasts can change, but for now, this stretch is a write-off for decent waves.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Thu night, min 15°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Wed morning, min 15°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
NNE
7
0.7
NNE
6
0.5
NNE
6
0.4
ENE
9
0.4
NE
5
1.3
NNE
5
1
NNE
6
0.7
NNE
6
0.7
NNE
6
0.5
NNE
6
0.5
NNE
6
0.3
E
9
0.4
NE
6
0.4
NE
8
0.3
ENE
10
0.3
ENE
9
0.9
SE
8
0.4
ENE
3
0.9
SE
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
93
35
22
28
7
65
65
28
34
23
23
15
8
18
18
16
100
3
100
Wind (km/h)
10
SW
10
SSW
15
ESE
5
WNW
10
N
25
NNE
15
NW
10
SSE
20
SSE
10
SW
5
SE
15
E
5
WNW
15
SSW
20
SSE
5
SSW
15
N
25
NNE
30
SSW
Wind State
cross-off
off
cross
cross
on
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
off
glassy
cross
cross
off
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
on
off
High Tide
00:26AM1.00m
1:24PM1.40m
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
Low Tide
6:26AM0.26m
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
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:00
5:58
5:56
5:56
5:54
5:54
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:32
5:32
5:34
5:34
5:35
5:35
 mm
4
Temp °C
24
20
20
17
24
22
24
23
20
17
19
19
17
19
18
17
22
19
19
Feels °C
22
18
19
17
20
19
22
20
16
14
16
17
17
15
15
16
18
15
20
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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