Emerald Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 30.18° S 153.19° E

Emerald Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 am 13 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Emerald Beach sea temperature is
20.2°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 12 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 18 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 12s period, SE swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 18 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 12s period, SE swell with 1,269 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 18 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 12s period with SE 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 18) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 12s. 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 2.2m 12s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 18) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 5.0m 10s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Fri 18th Sep)6ft (1.8m) 12s
Best Surf10AM (Fri 18th Sep)7ft (2.1m) 12s
Most Powerful 7PM (Fri 18th Sep)7ft (2.2m) 12s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a chat about what’s on the cards for Emerald Beach over this 16-day stretch.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a long, quiet patch. The first six days are a write-off – tiny little slop and onshore winds. Sunday the 13th through Friday morning the 18th is all small, messy junk. You’re looking at maybe 0.7 ft to 3 ft of wind-affected swell with that shorebreak chop. Not worth wetting a wetsuit. Hold tight.

Then, things start to wake up properly Friday morning, September 18th. This is the first real standout. We get a solid pulse from the southeast – 5 ft at 8 seconds. The combined energy is a moderate 405, which means there’s some actual push behind it. Wind is a light offshore from the south at 9 mph, keeping the faces clean and lined up. That’s a proper surf window for an intermediate. Crowds are often a thing here, so expect some company, but for that quality, it’s worth the paddle. The swell direction (SE) is a good match for the optimum from the northeast, with that offshore grooming, so the point should be running nicely.

Friday afternoon drops off a bit to 6 ft but with a decent 11-second period. The energy jumps to a strong 713, but the wind turns side-shore. It’s still surfable, just not as clean as the morning. Saturday the 19th still has some leftover SE swell around 5 ft, but it’s onshore and the quality gets ratty as the day wears on.

After that, the first part of the second week looks average again. Sunday the 20th through Wednesday the 23rd is mostly small, onshore, and weak. There’s a pulse Wednesday morning around 6 ft from the ESE, but the cross-onshore wind at 12 mph makes it choppy and unpleasant.

Then, look here – Sunday morning, September 27th is our other worthy highlight. Another southeast groundswell, 5 ft at 7 seconds, with a fresh offshore from the SSW at 9 mph. Clean, 210 moderate energy, and that point should be holding some nice lines. The crowd factor is still there, but it’s a reliable, clean morning.

Sunday afternoon gets bigger – 7 ft – but the period drops to a short 6 seconds, and the wind goes side-offshore. That’s a bit too much size and short period for most, but for strong intermediates and above, it could be fun with some push.

Overall, your best bet is Friday morning September 18th for the best combination of size, clean wind, and decent energy. The Sunday morning on the 27th is a promising runner-up but further out.

Keep an eye on the wind shifts – when that offshore kicks in, Emerald Beach turns on.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Tue afternoon, min 14°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NE on Sun morning, strong winds from the SSW by Tue night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed morning, min 13°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Wed afternoon, calm by Fri afternoon).

Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
Saturday
19
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
3
2
2
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)
0.2
ENE
13
0.2
ENE
13
0.2
ENE
13
0.2
E
10
1
NE
4
1.1
NNE
5
1
NNE
5
1.4
NNE
5
1.4
NNE
6
0.4
NE
6
0.2
ENE
13
0.2
ENE
13
0.1
NE
13
0.1
NE
13
0.1
NE
12
2.1
SE
12
2.1
SE
12
2
SE
12
1.7
SE
11
1.3
SE
10
1
SE
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
17
17
17
8
34
59
42
98
150
12
18
17
7
7
6
1213
1111
1070
659
369
166
Wind (km/h)
10
NE
20
NE
10
NW
20
N
30
NE
10
NNW
15
N
30
NNE
25
S
35
S
45
S
30
SSW
30
SSW
25
SSW
25
SSW
20
S
15
ESE
10
NW
5
ENE
15
NE
10
NW
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross
on
on
cross-on
on
on
off
off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
off
cross
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
High Tide
9:23PM1.40m
9:51AM1.47m
9:59PM1.26m
10:30AM1.44m
10:35PM1.12m
11:11AM1.38m
11:15PM0.99m
11:58AM1.31m
00:04AM0.88m
12:56PM1.24m
1:14AM0.80m
2:09PM1.21m
2:46AM0.78m
Low Tide
3:20PM0.12m
3:32AM0.06m
4:03PM0.19m
4:02AM0.14m
4:47PM0.28m
4:33AM0.22m
5:36PM0.38m
5:08AM0.31m
6:35PM0.46m
5:50AM0.39m
7:52PM0.52m
6:49AM0.46m
9:21PM0.51m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:48
5:48
5:46
5:45
5:43
5:43
5:41
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:37
5:37
5:38
5:38
5:39
5:39
5:40
 mm
1
Temp °C
18
18
16
19
19
16
21
22
20
18
17
13
17
16
15
18
18
15
21
20
19
Feels °C
15
15
14
14
14
14
17
18
19
10
7
5
10
10
9
14
15
13
17
17
17
  • 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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