
Surf Forecasts:
Emerald Beach surf forecast from 12 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 10s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 18ft (5.5m), 11s period, SE swell with 7,470 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 13 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 9s 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 13) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 9s 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 5.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 5.5m 11s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 18) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Mon 13th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 16ft (5.0m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 18ft (5.5m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Emerald Beach over the next 16 days.
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s coming.
We’re looking at a real slow start. The first half of the outlook is nearly flat, with a solid week of tiny, unrideable surf. From Sunday the 12th, we’ve got a small 3ft ESE swell at Emerald Beach, but it’s just not worth the paddle. The water temp is about 68°, which is pretty average for the time of year.
The real standout is shaping up for Saturday the 18th. We’re looking at a massive 18ft SE swell with a very long period of 11 seconds, and the energy reading is a monstrous 6702. That’s a lot of power. The wind is blowing from the south at 25 mph, and it’s offshore, so the faces will be clean. But listen – this is way too big for most. Over 8ft, this is expert territory only. The swell is coming from the southeast, but Emerald Beach is a point break that’s exposed to the NE, so the direction isn’t perfect. The size and the offshore wind will make it look incredible, but you’ll want serious experience.
After that, things settle down but stay on the bigger side. Sunday morning the 19th sees a 6ft E swell, a bit smaller but still punchy with a long period, and the wind stays offshore. The energy is still moderate at 804. By Tuesday the 21st, we get a beauty. The morning session has a clean 8ft ESE swell, period of 11 seconds, and the wind is glassy from the NNW. That’s the best combination of size and conditions in the second week. The energy is strong at 1143, and the swell direction is a better match for the break. Expect some proper waves, but it’s still a solid intermediate to expert level day.
The rest of the outlook fades out. By Wednesday the 22nd, the swell drops to 5ft, and by the end of the week we’re back to small, weak energy. The last week has some clean windows but the swell just isn’t there.
So, to wrap it up: the first week is a write-off. Your best bet is the big pulse on Saturday the 18th if you’re an expert, but the standout for the best overall surf is Tuesday morning the 21st. That’s the one to circle.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sun afternoon, min 11°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon morning, fresh winds from the S by Wed morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 75mm), heaviest during Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri morning, min 13°C on Wed night). Mainly strong winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sun 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 7 | SSW 8 | S 6 | E 10 | E 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NNE 8 | SSE 9 | SE 11 | SE 11 | E 12 | E 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
122 | 56 | 30 | 17 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 10 | 6 | 0 | 6702 | 7470 | 887 | 804 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 6:22PM1.74m | 6:48AM1.05m | 7:16PM1.84m | 7:44AM1.08m | 8:07PM1.89m | 8:36AM1.12m | 8:55PM1.89m | 9:26AM1.15m | 9:42PM1.82m | 10:15AM1.17m | 10:27PM1.71m | 11:04AM1.19m | 11:10PM1.55m | 11:55AM1.21m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:11AM0.09m | 12:30PM0.06m | 2:04AM0.01m | 1:24PM0.03m | 2:53AM-0.03m | 2:15PM0.02m | 3:40AM-0.04m | 3:06PM0.04m | 4:23AM-0.02m | 3:56PM0.11m | 5:05AM0.02m | 4:47PM0.20m | 5:45AM0.08m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | |
5:01 | — | — | 5:02 | — | — | 5:02 | — | — | 5:04 | — | — | 5:04 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:05 | — | 5:06 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 17 | 9 | 19 | 9 | 2 | 3 | 11 | 3 | 2 | 3 | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 |
Feels °C | 19 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SSW 7 | S 4 | S 6 | E 9 | E 10 | — | S 16 | S 15 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NNE 8 | S 18 | S 21 | ENE 10 | E 12 | E 11 |
122 | 56 | 76 | 58 | 34 | 10 | 5 | 12 | 2 | 2 | — | 5 | 4 | 11 | 10 | 6 | 25 | 35 | 11 | 887 | 804 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | ESE 9 | SE 8 | N 3 | S 11 | SSW 8 | S 8 | E 10 | — | — | — | — | S 18 | SSW 12 | S 18 | — | — | — | S 19 | S 18 |
40 | 26 | 30 | 17 | 1 | 9 | 12 | 5 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 7 | 15 | 25 | — | — | — | 28 | 57 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 4 | N 4 | SSE 8 | ESE 10 | ESE 8 | SE 7 | S 10 | S 10 | N 10 | — | — | — | — | S 18 | S 17 | — | — | — | — | — | S 24 |
3 | 1 | 6 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 7 | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSW 4 | — | — | — | S 4 | S 4 | SW 2 | SSW 5 | S 8 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 |
— | 6 | — | — | — | 10 | 8 | 1 | 105 | 1078 | 2954 | 2455 | 2550 | 1890 | 1444 | 1525 | 3119 | 6702 | 7470 | 3909 | 1365 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 2 | 39 | 83 | 114 | 575 | 166 | 53 | 186 | 226 | 593 | 554 | 518 | 186 | 554 | 422 | 445 | 445 | 98 | 98 |
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











