Emerald Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 30.18° S 153.19° E

Emerald Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 am 24 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Emerald Beach sea temperature is
19.5°C
0.5° 

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 24 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 26 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 7s period, NE swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 6s period, NE swell with 326 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 26 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 7s period with NE 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 26) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m and 6s. 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 2.1m 6s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 7s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Wed 26th Aug)5ft (1.6m) 7s
Best Surf 4AM (Wed 26th Aug)5ft (1.6m) 7s
Most Powerful10PM (Tue 25th Aug)7ft (2.1m) 6s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. We’re looking at a 16-day window for Emerald Beach, and I’ll tell ya straight up: it’s a real mixed bag. There’s very little that’ll get the heart racing, but there are a few brief windows when you could get a soggy leg rope. The main issue is that the swell direction and the wind just don’t play nice for most of the run. The water temp is sitting at about 67°F, which is pretty much what you’d expect for this time of year, nothing weird going on there.

The first solid option pops up on Monday, August 24th, in the morning. It’s small, only 3ft of swell from the ENE, with a short period of 7 seconds. But what makes this one worth a look is the glassy conditions – absolute zero wind. The combined energy is weak at 59, so it’s not going to be pumping, but for a clean little slide on a point break, you could have some fun. After that, the wind swings onshore and it gets messy.

We hit a patch of pretty ordinary days. The next real standout, and honestly the best of the whole run, is on Thursday, August 27th, in the morning. We get 3ft of swell from the ENE, the period stretches out to a nice 9 seconds, and the wind is offshore from the south. That means clean, lined-up waves on the point. The energy is moderate at 108. The crowd factor at Emerald Beach is `often`, so expect some company, but that’s the price of a clean wave on a Thursday. This morning session is the one to aim for.

After that, the surf stays small and underwhelming. Sunday, August 30th, morning has 3ft from the ENE with a gentle offshore wind, and it’s surfable, but nothing flash.

Moving into the second week, Tuesday, September 1st, is a washout with poor conditions. Things perk up a tiny bit on Wednesday, September 2nd, morning. The wind is dead calm again, glassy, with 3ft from the ENE and a 9-second period. The energy is moderate at 154, but it’s still described as just ordinary. Could be worth a dawny if you’re desperate.

The real kicker is Tuesday, September 1st, morning. The size jumps to 4ft from the E with a 10-second period, and the energy is strong at 241. That’s the biggest push of the whole forecast. The problem? The wind is a light cross-onshore from the north. It’s listed as poor conditions. If that wind had been offshore, this would be the clear winner. As it is, it’s a frustrating tease. The swell direction from the east isn’t ideal for the optimum NE direction for this break, either. So, a lot of energy but a bit ugly.

From there, it just drifts off into smaller, onshore junk. Thursday, September 3rd, morning has 4ft from the NE with a light cross-offshore wind from the SSE, making it clean, but the energy is moderate and the wave comment is just ordinary again.

Honestly, for this 16 days, your best bet is Thursday morning, August 27th. That offshore wind and clean 3ft swell is the best combination we get. The second best is Wednesday morning, September 2nd, for those glassy conditions on a 3ft swell. Everything else is a real struggle.

Rusty, signing off.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Tue night. Warm (max 21°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon morning, fresh winds from the NNE by Tue afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu morning, min 15°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
0
0
1
1
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
ENE
7
0.9
ENE
8
0.7
ENE
8
1.1
NE
8
1.6
NE
5
1.9
NE
7
1.3
NE
7
1.2
ENE
7
1
ENE
7
0.9
ENE
9
0.9
ENE
8
0.9
ENE
8
0.8
ENE
8
0.7
ENE
8
0.7
ENE
8
0.6
ENE
8
0.6
ENE
8
0.6
ENE
9
0.8
ENE
9
0.9
E
9
0.8
ENE
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
59
111
62
149
123
322
164
131
104
108
99
100
78
54
59
57
57
58
108
134
108
Wind (km/h)
5
SE
20
NE
10
NW
15
N
30
NNE
15
NNW
10
SW
10
E
25
SSW
20
S
20
SSE
10
SSW
5
SE
15
ESE
10
SSW
15
S
15
SSE
15
SSW
15
S
10
SE
0
NNW
Wind State
glassy
on
cross
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross
off
off
cross-off
off
glassy
cross
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
glassy
High Tide
5:51PM1.41m
6:14AM0.95m
6:31PM1.49m
6:52AM1.03m
7:06PM1.56m
7:28AM1.11m
7:40PM1.60m
8:03AM1.20m
8:13PM1.60m
8:38AM1.27m
8:46PM1.57m
9:14AM1.34m
9:20PM1.51m
Low Tide
11:03AM0.36m
00:38AM0.31m
11:51AM0.29m
1:11AM0.22m
12:33PM0.22m
1:42AM0.15m
1:12PM0.16m
2:11AM0.09m
1:51PM0.13m
2:41AM0.05m
2:30PM0.12m
3:11AM0.03m
3:10PM0.14m
3:41AM0.03m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
thunderstorm
rain showers
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
clear
part cloud
cloud
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:11
6:11
6:09
6:09
6:07
6:07
6:05
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:27
5:27
5:28
5:28
5:29
5:29
5:30
 mm
4
1
4
1
2
Temp °C
19
19
17
21
21
18
20
18
17
18
18
17
18
18
17
18
18
17
17
18
16
Feels °C
18
16
16
18
17
16
20
17
14
14
15
15
16
16
15
15
15
15
14
16
16
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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