Emerald Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 30.18° S 153.19° E

Emerald Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 am 05 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Emerald Beach sea temperature is
20.2°C
0.0° 

Emerald Beach surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Emerald Beach surf forecast from 5 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 6 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 6s period, NNE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 9s period, SE swell with 135 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 6 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 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 Sunday (Sep 06) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m 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 0.9m 9s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 9s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10AM (Sun 6th Sep)2.5ft (0.8m) 6s
Best Surf10AM (Sun 6th Sep)2.5ft (0.8m) 6s
Most Powerful 1AM (Thu 10th Sep)3ft (0.9m) 9s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Emerald Beach over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

G'day surfers, Rusty here. Let’s be real with you: the next couple of weeks are looking pretty flat and grim for the most part. But don't throw your board in the shed just yet. There's one little pulse of energy that could get a few of us excited, even if it's a while away.

Right now, and for the next week or so, we're looking at a whole lot of nothing. Swell heights are mostly down around 0.6ft to 1ft, and the wave energy is weak, with values barely getting into double digits. The wind is all over the shop, and while we get some clean mornings, there’s not enough push to make anything rideable. A couple of days, like Sunday the 6th, might give you a knee-high slop on the points, but it'll be ordinary at best. Don't get your hopes up for a proper surf until we get further down the track.

Now, here’s the one thing that has my attention. It’s a while off, but Tuesday the 15th of September is looking like it’s got some potential fire in it. The models are showing a late-arriving pulse of energy hitting the North East swell direction. Now, for Emerald Beach here on the point, that’s from our optimum direction, so it could be worth keeping an eye on.

But here’s the catch, and it’s a big one. That Tuesday, the wind is forecast to swing onshore from the NNE and pick up to a solid 19 mph. That’s going to turn that building swell into a messy, cross-onshore struggle. The swell is set to jump, with a summary height of 7ft, and the combined energy is strong at 289, but it's gonna be raw and lumpy. It looks way more interesting for the foil crew or even kite surfers than us paddle surfers. The period is a short 6 seconds, so it’ll be wind-slop, not groundswell, and on a beach setup, that’s going to be pretty close to unsurfable for anyone who values their lunch.

That strong pulse on the 15th doesn't last. By the following morning, Wednesday the 16th, it drops right back down to 2ft, with clean offshore winds. But it's game over again, with nothing else behind it. Once that week rolls in, the surf is going to be almost non-existent for a good stretch.

So, there’s your outlook. A big flat stretch, one distant promise that’s likely to blow out, and a whole lot of waiting. This is one of those periods where you might be better off fixing the dings and doing the housework. Keep the faith though, the longer it stays flat, the closer we are to the next real pulse. The near-term calls are always more reliable; this long-range stuff on the 15th is promising but I wouldn’t be clearing my schedule for it just yet.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 26°C on Sat morning, min 15°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue morning, min 13°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WNW on Tue night, fresh winds from the SSW by Wed night).

Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
Friday
11
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
NE
6
1.3
NNE
5
1
NNE
6
0.8
NNE
6
0.8
NNE
7
0.5
NNE
7
0.3
E
10
0.3
E
9
0.3
E
9
0.3
ENE
10
0.2
E
10
0.3
ENE
9
0.2
ENE
9
0.7
NE
4
0.9
SE
9
0.2
ENE
8
0.1
NE
15
0.2
ENE
9
0.2
ENE
14
0.2
ENE
8
0.2
ENE
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
11
74
60
47
56
26
16
15
15
18
7
16
8
12
135
7
8
9
18
7
19
Wind (km/h)
10
N
25
NNE
10
NW
15
SSE
25
SSE
15
SW
15
S
15
ESE
10
SW
25
SSW
25
S
10
WSW
10
NE
15
E
30
S
30
S
25
S
15
SW
20
S
25
SSE
10
SSW
Wind State
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross
off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
High Tide
2:42PM1.42m
3:18AM0.88m
3:58PM1.49m
4:39AM0.93m
5:03PM1.57m
5:41AM1.03m
5:58PM1.65m
6:31AM1.15m
6:45PM1.69m
7:16AM1.26m
7:28PM1.69m
7:57AM1.35m
8:08PM1.63m
Low Tide
9:47PM0.36m
8:58AM0.33m
11:01PM0.26m
10:16AM0.28m
11:57PM0.16m
11:22AM0.20m
00:42AM0.07m
12:17PM0.12m
1:21AM0.01m
1:06PM0.07m
1:57AM-0.02m
1:52PM0.05m
2:30AM-0.02m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:58
5:56
5:56
5:54
5:54
5:52
5:50
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:32
5:34
5:34
5:35
5:35
5:36
5:36
 mm
2
1
5
1
Temp °C
26
23
22
24
20
17
19
19
18
18
18
16
18
18
17
18
17
15
18
18
17
Feels °C
21
20
20
22
15
14
16
17
17
12
13
13
14
16
14
12
12
12
14
14
16
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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