
Surf Forecasts:
Emerald Beach surf forecast from 11 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 17 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 7s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 17 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 8s period, SE swell with 638 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 11 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 9s period with ENE 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 Tuesday (Aug 11) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 7s. 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 2.3m 8s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.4m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1PM (Tue 11th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Emerald Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let's get down to it. It's going to be a bit of a snoozefest for the next week or so, then we've got one solid window before it fades out again. No use pretending otherwise.
For the first several days, through the 16th, it’s flat and weak. We're looking at ankle-biters of 0.5-0.7m from the ENE with weak energy (like 132 or 93). We'll get a perfectly glassy morning on the 12th, but it's tiny. Then from the 13th on, the wind goes howling offshore, but there’s no swell to make it worth the paddle. The ocean is just empty.
The first real sign of life is on Monday the 17th. The swell jumps to 2.3m from the SE, and the energy is strong (638), but it comes with rain and a messy cross-shore wind and short-period waves. It’s going to be a bumpy, lumpy mess, not worth your time.
Now, circle the 19th and 20th on your calendar. This is our best bet. The surf picks up again on Wednesday afternoon with 1.1m from the SE, and then Thursday morning it holds at 1.5m. The energy is solid, hitting 503, and the period stretches out to 10-11 seconds. The wind will be offshore or light, and the forecast is for very good surf conditions. This is the one. Emerald Beach (Big Island) is a point break that will pick this up nicely.
After that, it just sort of dribbles out. The 21st and 22nd are back to small and ordinary. There’s a clean, glassy 1.3m wave on the morning of Sunday the 23rd, but again, it lacks power. Then the winds turn onshore and messy for the final days, killing any chance of a clean wave. This is a long-range forecast, so anything after the 20th is a bit of a gamble, but the middle of the month is your chance. Don't miss it.
Rusty, out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat morning, min 13°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
79 | 64 | 72 | 90 | 92 | 69 | 61 | 44 | 45 | 43 | 43 | 43 | 29 | 29 | 31 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 638 | 477 | 413 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 7:04PM1.80m | 7:32AM1.14m | 7:51PM1.83m | 8:19AM1.21m | 8:34PM1.80m | 9:03AM1.28m | 9:16PM1.71m | 9:46AM1.32m | 9:55PM1.58m | 10:29AM1.34m | 10:34PM1.42m | 11:12AM1.33m | 11:12PM1.24m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:23PM0.09m | 1:48AM0.01m | 1:15PM0.03m | 2:30AM-0.04m | 2:04PM0.02m | 3:09AM-0.05m | 2:51PM0.04m | 3:45AM-0.03m | 3:38PM0.10m | 4:20AM0.02m | 4:25PM0.20m | 4:53AM0.10m | 5:13PM0.30m | ||||||||
6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | |
— | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 4 |
Temp °C | 20 | 21 | 15 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 |
Feels °C | 17 | 19 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 9 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | S 13 | SSW 10 |
79 | 64 | 73 | 410 | 281 | 151 | 193 | 44 | 45 | 43 | 43 | 43 | 29 | 29 | 31 | 33 | 33 | 75 | 36 | 28 | 33 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | E 9 | NNE 6 | S 11 | S 16 | NE 9 | SSW 19 | SSW 16 | S 15 | ENE 10 | S 18 | SSW 17 | ENE 10 | — | S 16 | SSW 11 |
47 | 28 | 72 | 90 | 92 | 69 | 61 | 4 | 21 | 19 | 3 | 73 | 50 | 18 | 31 | 26 | 59 | 32 | — | 5 | 43 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 9 | S 8 | S 13 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | S 21 | NE 7 | NE 10 | S 20 | N 7 | N 9 | S 19 | — | SSW 18 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | — | SSW 16 | SSW 10 |
15 | 35 | 119 | 16 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 7 | — | 64 | 7 | 18 | — | 50 | 18 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 4 | N 4 | WSW 2 | — | NE 6 | SW 3 | S 8 | S 7 | S 7 | S 8 | S 8 | S 6 | S 6 | S 7 | S 7 | S 6 | S 6 | SSE 7 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 |
6 | 1 | 1 | — | 14 | 4 | 300 | 349 | 232 | 409 | 291 | 170 | 281 | 356 | 378 | 331 | 193 | 210 | 638 | 477 | 413 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 0 | 0 | 85 | 5 | 13 | 85 | 12 | 40 | 98 | 0 | 40 | 186 | 12 | 176 | 422 | 39 |
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











