
Surf Forecasts:
Emerald Beach surf forecast from 19 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 11s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 11s period, ESE swell with 2,523 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 11s 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 (Jul 20) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 11s 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 3.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) 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 1.9m 14s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 26) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Emerald Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for Emerald Beach.
Right off the bat, we’ve got a big pulse of energy hitting the coast, but it’s a bit of a wild one. Monday the 20th of July sees a solid 10ft swell from the ESE, but that’s packing a lot of power – the combined energy is up at 1896, which is strong. Problem is, the wind is a cross-off from the SSE at 12 mph, and the swell is just too big for this spot. It’s a point break, so it can handle size, but on Monday morning, it’s looking like a handful for anyone but the absolute experts. Monday afternoon drops a bit to 8ft, but the energy is still high (1293), and the wind swings more southerly, still cross-off. It’s still very big and powerful.
The real standout, the one you want to circle, is Tuesday the 21st. The morning is looking absolutely magic. We’ve got a 6ft swell from the east, with a proper 10-second period, pushing a moderate 612 combined energy. The wind is offshore from the SSW at 9 mph, and the report says “gentle offshore and clean.” That’s the sweet spot. This is an intermediate-level wave, but with that offshore wind, it’ll be groomed and have some good shape. Tuesday afternoon drops to 5ft, still clean, but that morning window is the best on offer.
Now, after Tuesday, things get quiet. Wednesday the 22nd brings onshore winds and a messy, smaller swell, dropping to 5ft and then 4ft. The energy falls off a cliff. Thursday through the rest of the week and into the start of August, the swell just fades away. We’re looking at 3ft dropping to 1ft and even flat spells with periods as low as 6 or 7 seconds. The energy is weak, mostly under 100. There’s a few mornings with offshore or glassy winds, like Thursday the 23rd morning with a 3ft swell and 8-second period, or Friday the 24th morning with a tiny 2ft swell, but it’s just too small and weak to get excited about.
There’s a long run of nothing from the 22nd right through to the end of the month. The second week, from the 27th of July onward, is mostly flat or tiny. There’s a brief pulse of onshore wind and a 4ft swell on the 28th, but it’s a messy onshore wind and a short period, so it’s not worth paddling out for. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, nothing unusual.
So, to sum it up: Monday is for the big-wave crew only, and it’s still a bit wild. Tuesday the 21st morning is your golden ticket – clean, offshore, solid 6ft groundswell. After that, we’re looking at a long, quiet stretch. It’s a bit of a bummer, but that’s the forecast.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Wed morning, min 15°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Sun night, calm by Tue night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu morning, min 8°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
2716 | 1896 | 1293 | 968 | 612 | 470 | 405 | 355 | 248 | 227 | 127 | 101 | 90 | 51 | 51 | 36 | 35 | 33 | 19 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | on | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 4:50AM0.85m | 5:32PM1.37m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 10:31AM0.36m | 00:24AM0.39m | |||||||
— | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:08 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 13 |
Feels °C | 13 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | ESE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 10 | S 9 | S 12 | S 13 | S 13 |
126 | 1896 | 1293 | 968 | 612 | 470 | 405 | 355 | 248 | 227 | 127 | 101 | 90 | 51 | 94 | 383 | 689 | 653 | 760 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 17 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 17 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 16 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
6 | 126 | 153 | 141 | 87 | 82 | 56 | 31 | 31 | 18 | 20 | 8 | 8 | 23 | 51 | 36 | 264 | 33 | 19 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 17 | — | — | S 16 | S 15 | S 16 | S 15 | S 14 | S 13 | E 12 | E 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | NE 9 | S 15 | SSW 20 | ENE 8 | E 9 | S 19 |
6 | — | — | 5 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 18 | 127 | 35 | 7 | 63 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | N 4 | SSW 4 | SSE 4 | S 6 | S 6 | S 6 | — | — | — | — |
2716 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 10 | 11 | 15 | 30 | 247 | 148 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 98 | 21 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 39 | 0 | 0 | 85 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 13 | 2 |
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










