Emerald Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 30.18° S 153.19° E

Emerald Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 pm 18 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Emerald Beach sea temperature is
19.8° C
0.4° 

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 18 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 19 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 10s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 10s period, SE swell with 3,774 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 10s 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 Sunday (Jul 19) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 4.5m and 10s 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 4.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Sun 19th Jul)15ft (4.5m) 10s
Best Surf 4AM (Sun 19th Jul)15ft (4.5m) 10s
Most Powerful 4AM (Sun 19th Jul)15ft (4.5m) 10s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what Emerald Beach is offering over the next couple of weeks.

We start off with a proper hammering. Sunday the 19th and Monday the 20th bring a massive pulse – 4.0m to 3.0m from the ESE/E with a 10–11 second period. The combined energy is through the roof (3649, 2291, 1730 – that’s serious power). But it’s just too big for this point. Winds are cross-off, so it’s not messy, but unless you’re riding a rhino chaser, you’ll want to sit this one out. This break is fairly consistent and exposed, but this is beyond what most of us can handle. Crowds are often here, so when it’s working it’s busy – but this weekend, it’s a no‑go for regular paddling.

By Tuesday the 21st, things settle down nicely. Morning brings 2.0m from the east at 10 seconds, with a light offshore breeze from the SSW. Energy drops to 771 – still moderate, but the waves are clean and well‑shaped. That’s the pick of the forecast. The afternoon holds 1.8m with a cross-off wind, still good. This is the standout window: not too big, not too small, and the wind is working for us. Expect a few others out – it’s often crowded here – but the quality should be worth the company.

Wednesday the 22nd turns ugly. Swell drops to 1.4m from the ENE, but the wind swings cross-on and then onshore, killing the surface. Poor conditions. Thursday the 23rd morning offers a glimmer: 1.2m, clean offshore wind from the south, energy 220. It’s small but clean – a log or a fish would be fun for a couple of hours. Afternoon goes cross-shore and messy, so don’t sleep in.

From Friday the 24th right through to the end of July, it’s either tiny or flat. Swell heights hover around 0.3–0.7m, energy rarely above 100. The morning of the 24th has a moderate offshore but only 0.7m – you’ll be scratching for anything. There’s a long gap of poor surf. Then on Thursday the 31st, a pulse of 1.9m from the SE shows up, but the period is short (7 seconds) and the comment says marginal. Not worth the drive.

Into the first week of August, we get a short burst: Saturday the 1st morning has 1.5m from the east, offshore wind, energy 278. Moderate waves, clean but a fresh breeze. Sunday the 2nd drops off fast. Monday the 3rd is back to tiny.

So the real winner is Tuesday the 21st – that’s the one to circle. The rest of the 16‑day window is either too big, too small, or blown out. Keep an eye on the morning of the 23rd for a fun small session. Otherwise, it’s a waiting game.

Stay stoked,
Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon morning, min 16°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Sat night, calm by Tue afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Wed morning, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
!
!
!
!
!
3
4
3
3
1
0
0
2
2
0
0
1
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)
3
E
11
4
ESE
10
3
E
11
3
E
10
3
ESE
10
2.5
E
10
2.3
E
10
2
E
10
1.8
E
10
1.5
E
9
1.4
ENE
9
1.4
ENE
9
1.3
ENE
9
1.2
ENE
9
1.1
ENE
8
0.9
ENE
8
0.7
ENE
8
0.7
ENE
8
0.5
ENE
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2166
3649
2291
1792
1730
1300
1060
771
593
372
326
294
262
217
160
105
59
59
36
Wind (km/h)
35
SSE
35
SSE
35
S
25
S
20
SSE
20
SSE
15
SSE
10
SSW
10
SSE
5
NNE
10
NNW
20
NE
10
WSW
10
S
10
ESE
30
SSW
25
SSW
20
S
10
WSW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
on
cross-on
on
cross-off
off
cross
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
11:10PM1.55m
11:55AM1.21m
11:54PM1.37m
12:48PM1.22m
00:39AM1.19m
1:44PM1.22m
1:29AM1.04m
2:44PM1.24m
2:30AM0.92m
3:44PM1.27m
3:40AM0.86m
4:41PM1.31m
Low Tide
5:45AM0.08m
5:41PM0.32m
6:24AM0.15m
6:40PM0.43m
7:04AM0.22m
7:50PM0.51m
7:47AM0.28m
9:09PM0.54m
8:37AM0.34m
10:29PM0.52m
9:33AM0.36m
11:34PM0.46m
mod rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:39
6:39
6:39
6:39
6:37
6:37
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:06
5:06
5:07
5:07
5:07
5:08
 mm
9
4
2
1
Temp °C
17
17
17
17
18
17
17
17
17
18
21
19
17
18
17
16
15
15
14
Feels °C
10
11
11
12
14
14
14
16
16
18
18
16
16
16
15
14
10
11
12
  • 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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