Surf Forecasts:
Emerald Beach surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 11s period, SE swell with 4,476 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s 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 Saturday (Jul 18) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 8s 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 11s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 8s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 18) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 15ft (4.5m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Emerald Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk about what Emerald Beach has cooking.
First thing's first, it's gonna be a wild start. This point break loves a NE swell, but the first few days are just too much. The ocean is absolutely cranking. Saturday morning (July 18th) the swell is 10ft and the energy is massive, 1052. It just gets bigger from there. This is strictly for the pros. The wind is a cross-off, which is a shame because the shape will be messy. The water temp is 68°, which is about average for this time of year. No need for a hood.
The whole of Saturday and Sunday are a washout for normal surfing. The swell is simply too big. It's a clean 4.0m (13ft) on Sunday morning with 3110 energy, but it's a beast.
We get a break on Monday, July 20th. The swell drops to 7ft in the afternoon, and the energy is a more manageable 855. The wind is a gentle cross-off from the south, so the surface is clean. It's not the best, but it's a solid, rideable wave. The real winner is Tuesday morning, July 21st. The swell is a clean 6ft from the E, with a 10-second period, and the wind is offshore from the SSW. That's the key. The energy is a healthy 716, so there's plenty of push. This is your session. The crowds are often there, so expect some company.
After Tuesday, the swell fades. Wednesday the 22nd drops to 4ft, and by Thursday it's 3ft. The wind is light and offshore, so it's clean, but the waves are just ordinary.
From Friday, July 24th, right through to August 1st, it's flat. A solid week of nothing. The swell is down to 1ft, and the energy is in the teens. The water goes glassy a few times, but there's nothing to ride. It's a long gap, but that's how it goes sometimes.
So, for the standout, lock in Tuesday morning, July 21st. The Monday afternoon before that is a solid backup. Everything else is either too big, too small, or not worth the paddle.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 29mm), heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri afternoon, min 16°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the S on Sat afternoon, light winds from the S by Mon morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed morning, min 13°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | ||||||||||||||
PM | 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) | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 8 | E 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 569 | 606 | 1052 | 670 | 3780 | 3110 | 2469 | 1739 | 1102 | 855 | 968 | 716 | 480 | 325 | 246 | 207 | 177 | 169 | 129 | 96 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:27PM1.71m | 11:04AM1.19m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 5:05AM0.02m | 4:47PM0.20m | 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 | ||||||||
 |  |  |  |  |  | | | | | | |  |  | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — |
 | 5:05 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — |
mm | — | — | — | 2 | 12 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 19 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 16 |
Feels °C | 12 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 18 | S 14 | S 21 | E 11 | S 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | S 16 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 |
| kJ | 54 | 16 | 36 | 670 | 72 | 114 | 103 | 126 | 1102 | 855 | 968 | 716 | 480 | 325 | 246 | 207 | 177 | 169 | 129 | 96 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 19 | — | S 21 | — | S 24 | S 23 | 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 |
| kJ | 11 | 28 | — | 79 | — | 11 | 11 | 6 | 126 | 153 | 141 | 87 | 82 | 56 | 48 | 31 | 30 | 20 | 18 | 8 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 8 | S 19 | — | — | — | — | S 18 | — | — | — | S 16 | S 15 | S 16 | S 15 | S 14 | S 13 | E 12 | SE 5 | — | E 8 |
| kJ | 6 | 28 | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | 5 | 17 | 20 | 17 | 16 | 4 | 3 | 1 | — | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 8 | SSE 8 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 3 | S 5 |
| kJ | 569 | 606 | 1052 | 1650 | 3780 | 3110 | 2469 | 1739 | 82 | 75 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 25 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 332 | 40 | 501 | 512 | 429 | 472 | 429 | 21 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 85 | 2 | 2 | 39 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Coast - New South Wales | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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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