Surf Forecasts:
Emerald Beach surf forecast from 28 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period, NNE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 3 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 6s period, NNE swell with 148 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 4 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period with NNE 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 04) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 6s 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 1.6m 6s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 03) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.1m 10s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 30) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Emerald Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, Rusty here. Let me tell you about the surf coming up at Emerald Beach. It's a point break that's fairly consistent and can handle a NE swell, which is what we're looking for.
Look, I won't beat around the bush – the next week is a write-off. From now through to Wednesday the 3rd of September, we've got tiny, weak swell and a lot of onshore or cross-onshore wind. The wave energy is pathetic, sitting between 24 and 131 (that's weak to moderate, but the quality is rubbish). You'd be waiting for nothing.
Finally, on the morning of Friday the 4th of September, we get a little window. A light SSW offshore breeze will clean up a 2ft swell from the NNE with a short 6-second period and energy of 63. It's surfable, but the conditions are very ordinary. It's better than nothing.
The real glimmer in all this is a couple of weeks away. Keep your eye on Monday the 7th of September. The morning brings a 5ft NNE swell with a 7-second period and solid energy at 216. Expect good surf conditions with a light S cross-off breeze tidying things up. That afternoon, it gets even better. An 8ft NNE swell (7-second period) rolls in with a massive 716 energy reading. The wind swings SSE at 9 mph, keeping it cross-off and clean. Expect very good surf conditions, but at 8ft, this one's for the experienced crew only.
Keep in mind, this NE swell is best for a point break like Emerald Beach, and with our consistent nature, we should see some proper waves. The water temp is average for this time of year.
After that high, the 8th of September morning offers another look – a 4ft NNE swell with offshore SSW winds at 12 mph, but the energy drops to 156 and the quality is just ordinary. It fades quickly.
The following week from the 9th of September onward is back to tiny, poor surf with weak energy and no recommendations. It’s a long, dry stretch, but that Monday the 7th is the one to circle. It’s a standout.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat morning, min 14°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Thu morning, min 15°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | ||||||||||||||
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 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | E 8 | ENE 8 | E 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | ENE 10 | NNE 5 | NNE 6 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 39 | 42 | 45 | 37 | 22 | 47 | 28 | 26 | 24 | 22 | 53 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 48 | 45 | 31 | 100 | 77 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 8:38AM1.27m | 8:46PM1.57m | 9:14AM1.34m | 9:20PM1.51m | 9:52AM1.39m | 9:57PM1.41m | 10:33AM1.41m | 10:38PM1.28m | 11:20AM1.42m | 11:26PM1.14m | 12:16PM1.41m | 00:26AM1.00m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:41AM0.05m | 2:30PM0.12m | 3:11AM0.03m | 3:10PM0.14m | 3:41AM0.03m | 3:54PM0.17m | 4:14AM0.06m | 4:42PM0.23m | 4:50AM0.11m | 5:38PM0.30m | 5:33AM0.18m | 6:47PM0.37m | |||||||
 |  |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 24 | 23 | 20 | 29 | 29 | 24 |
Feels °C | 16 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 25 | 26 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | S 10 | ENE 9 | E 8 | ENE 8 | E 10 | S 9 | S 18 | S 9 | SSE 8 | S 11 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | NNE 6 |
| kJ | 443 | 400 | 45 | 37 | 22 | 47 | 108 | 222 | 220 | 112 | 185 | 214 | 246 | 192 | 144 | 73 | 74 | 51 | 77 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | N 7 | N 10 | ENE 10 | S 17 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 16 | S 15 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | S 10 |
| kJ | 39 | 42 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 6 | 28 | 26 | 260 | 283 | 53 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 48 | 45 | 31 | 31 | 49 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | N 11 | N 7 | — | N 15 | NE 15 | S 16 | NE 13 | ENE 8 | ENE 11 | S 16 | S 15 | NE 12 | NNE 4 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 11 | S 18 | ENE 10 |
| kJ | 31 | 2 | 1 | — | 4 | 8 | 48 | 7 | 24 | 22 | 75 | 69 | 5 | 12 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 31 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSW 3 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | S 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | S 8 | — | — | — | NE 3 | NNE 4 | N 4 | NNE 4 | N 4 | N 4 | NNE 5 | — |
| kJ | — | 4 | 410 | 768 | 465 | 378 | 176 | 279 | — | — | — | 11 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 11 | 20 | 100 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 5 | 12 | 85 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 2 | 2 | 333 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 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
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