Surf Forecasts:
Emerald Beach surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 26 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 7s period, NE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 7s period, NE swell with 183 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 26 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 7s period with NE 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 Wednesday (Aug 26) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 7s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Emerald Beach in the next 16 days are 1.4m 7s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 10s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 30) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1PM (Wed 26th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 1PM (Wed 26th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Wed 26th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Emerald Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get stuck into the outlook for Emerald Beach.
It’s a bit of a slow start for the next couple of weeks, to be honest. The swell is on the small side, and the consistency isn't really firing. We’ve got a few windows where things line up, but you’ll have to pick your moments. The water temp is sitting right on average for the time of year at 68°, so nothing unusual there.
The standout session is hands down Wednesday morning, August 26th at Emerald Beach. It’s a point break, and we’ve got a clean 5ft NE swell rolling in with a 7-second period, which is a bit short and weak, but here’s the beauty – it’s glassy. Dead calm, zero wind. That’s a major positive. The combined energy is moderate at 194, so there’s enough push to get you into a few corners. Expect crowds though, as it’s often busy. This is the best on offer for the whole outlook.
If you miss that, Thursday morning, August 27th is your next best shot. The swell drops to 3ft from the ENE, but the wind swings offshore from the S at 12 mph, keeping it clean. The period is a touch longer at 8 seconds, but the energy is lower (95). It’s a promising little session, but not the standout.
The rest of the first week is pretty flat. Saturday and Sunday mornings (29th & 30th August) have clean offshore winds, but the swell is tiny – barely 2ft to 2ft. You’d be paddling for nothing.
The second week is grim. From Monday, 31st August, right through to Friday, 4th September, the swell stays below 2ft, and the wind is mostly onshore or cross-on. There’s a brief moment on Thursday morning, 3rd September with glassy conditions, but the swell is still only 2ft. Not worth getting out of bed for.
There’s a slight bump in energy on Wednesday, 9th September with a 5ft NE swell, but it’s short period (5 seconds) and the wind is a strong offshore at 25 mph. That’s a tough combo – big wind, weak swell. It’s really only for the experts, and even then, it’s not great.
The final day of the outlook, Thursday afternoon, 10th September, shows a 4ft ENE swell with a fresh offshore wind, and the energy climbs to 232. It’s a marginal call, but if you’re desperate, it’s the best of a bad bunch in the second week. Still, a bit of a gamble.
So, bottom line: Wednesday morning, 26th August is your day. Get on it early. The rest is a wait-and-see game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 20°C on Wed morning, min 15°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat morning, min 14°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | NE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
194 | 173 | 111 | 95 | 105 | 71 | 52 | 54 | 53 | 57 | 58 | 42 | 33 | 52 | 42 | 40 | 39 | 86 | 73 | 70 | 67 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | off | off | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-on | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 7:06PM1.56m | 7:28AM1.11m | 7:40PM1.60m | 8:03AM1.20m | 8:13PM1.60m | 8:38AM1.27m | 8:46PM1.57m | 9:14AM1.34m | 9:20PM1.51m | 9:52AM1.39m | 9:57PM1.41m | 10:33AM1.41m | 10:38PM1.28m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:33PM0.22m | 1:42AM0.15m | 1:12PM0.16m | 2:11AM0.09m | 1:51PM0.13m | 2:41AM0.05m | 2:30PM0.12m | 3:11AM0.03m | 3:10PM0.14m | 3:41AM0.03m | 3:54PM0.17m | 4:14AM0.06m | 4:42PM0.23m | ||||||||
6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | |
— | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | |
mm | 1 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 16 |
Feels °C | 20 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 9 | S 9 | S 12 | S 10 | S 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | E 9 | S 18 | S 17 | S 15 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 |
194 | 173 | 111 | 95 | 105 | 367 | 282 | 800 | 432 | 284 | 58 | 42 | 133 | 100 | 42 | 413 | 716 | 720 | 344 | 280 | 152 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | S 16 | N 13 | S 11 | S 15 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 10 | NE 10 | ENE 8 | ENE 10 | S 18 | E 9 | E 9 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 |
46 | 20 | 3 | 2 | 18 | 71 | 52 | 54 | 53 | 57 | 4 | 4 | 21 | 52 | 101 | 40 | 39 | 86 | 73 | 70 | 67 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 9 | N 13 | S 15 | N 12 | S 15 | S 14 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 11 | N 7 | ENE 10 | NE 15 | NE 13 | NE 13 | E 12 | NE 12 | S 17 | NE 12 | S 17 |
17 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 38 | 131 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 33 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 12 | 6 | 23 | 6 | 22 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 5 | S 7 | S 7 | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | S 7 | S 7 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | — | — | NE 3 | NE 4 |
— | — | 70 | 226 | 246 | — | — | — | — | — | 418 | 712 | 251 | 152 | 452 | 439 | 277 | — | — | 3 | 18 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 85 | 0 | 0 | 85 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 0 | 0 | 85 | 13 | 0 | 85 | 12 | 40 | 12 | 0 | 2 | 226 | 2 |
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











