Surf Forecasts:
Emerald Beach surf forecast from 15 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 17 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 7s period, ESE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 10s period, ESE swell with 402 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 7s period with ESE 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 Monday (Aug 17) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 7s 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 1.4m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Emerald Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s break down Emerald Beach.
We’re staring at a real slow burn. The first couple days are flat with nothing going on. The first real chance to get wet doesn’t show up until Monday, August 17th. The water’s sitting at 67°, which is pretty normal for this time of year.
The standout session is Monday morning, the 17th. We’ll see a 5ft swell from the ESE with a short period of 7 seconds. The combined energy is moderate at 217. The wind is a light cross-offshore from the SSE, keeping the surface clean. It’s a point break, which helps handle the short, lumpy period. Crowds are often, so expect company.
Tuesday the 18th bumps up to 5ft from the SE, still short period, with energy hitting 303. The morning again looks best with light cross-off wind. It’s surfable, but nothing to write home about.
Wednesday the 19th is your best bet for quality. The period stretches to 10 seconds, swell is 4–5ft, and energy is solid at 388. The morning has a clean offshore breeze from the SSW. This is the best-shaped wave of the whole run.
Thursday the 20th morning is glassy with a 4ft SE swell, but after that, the wheels fall off. From Friday the 21st onward, it’s a brutal stretch of poor conditions, tiny waves, and onshore winds. You’re looking at a week and a half of nothing worth paddling for.
Bottom line: Monday morning or Wednesday morning are your only real shots. The rest is a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 25mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Warm (max 20°C on Fri morning, min 13°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | ||||||||||||||
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 | ENE 10 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 9 | SE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | SE 8 | E 8 | E 7 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
30 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 276 | 217 | 191 | 240 | 261 | 268 | 286 | 355 | 386 | 202 | 169 | 144 | 212 | 203 | 248 | 247 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross | cross-off | glassy | 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 | 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 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | |
5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | |
mm | — | — | 2 | 5 | 3 | 2 | — | 8 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 20 | 19 | 16 |
Feels °C | 13 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 14 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | S 17 | S 14 | S 7 | S 8 | ESE 8 | S 9 | S 9 | ESE 9 | SE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | SE 8 | E 8 | E 7 | ENE 7 | SE 7 | NE 7 |
30 | 113 | 99 | 154 | 104 | 88 | 90 | 240 | 38 | 37 | 286 | 355 | 386 | 202 | 169 | 144 | 212 | 203 | 14 | 247 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 19 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | SSW 18 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | S 9 | SE 11 | ESE 13 | SE 11 | ENE 6 | S 8 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | SE 8 | — | S 13 | S 12 | SSE 7 |
66 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 106 | 35 | 50 | 62 | 42 | 68 | 133 | 33 | 30 | 35 | 26 | 69 | — | 3 | 3 | 5 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 8 | — | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ENE 10 | S 17 | SSW 14 | ENE 9 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 8 | S 10 | S 8 | NE 8 | NE 9 | — | S 13 | — | S 11 |
1 | — | 7 | 7 | 19 | 52 | 37 | 17 | 26 | 25 | 56 | 18 | 8 | 40 | 11 | 12 | — | 3 | — | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 6 | S 7 | S 7 | SSE 6 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | — | SE 7 | SE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 3 | N 3 | NE 7 | — |
267 | 377 | 269 | 186 | 276 | 217 | 191 | — | 261 | 268 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 6 | 248 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 85 | 12 | 13 | 40 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 85 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 39 | 231 | 114 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Coast - New South Wales | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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











