
Surf Forecasts:
Emerald Beach surf forecast from 10 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, 10AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 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 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m and 4s is also forecast. 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+) | 10AM (Tue 11th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 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
G’day, I’m Rusty, and here’s how the next couple of weeks are shaping up at Emerald Beach.
Right now, we’re in a bit of a flat spell. The first decent wave you’ll see is Tuesday the 11th of August, but even then it’s small—around 2ft from the ENE with a period of 9 seconds. The energy is moderate at 134, but the wind is cross-off and light, so it’s clean enough for a longboard if you’re desperate. The water temp here is about average for this time of year.
Wednesday morning the 12th of August turns glassy with the wind dropping to zero, and you’ve got clean 2ft ENE waves (energy 107). It’s small, but glassy conditions are a major positive for smoothing things out. Afternoon gets a bit lumpy with a cross-on NE breeze though.
Thursday the 13th sees a light offshore in the morning from the south, with 2ft ENE swell (energy 65). It’s clean but tiny. Friday and Saturday the 14th and 15th stay small with offshore winds, but wave heights drop to 1ft, and the energy sinks into the 30s – honestly, barely a ripple.
There’s a big gap of nothing exciting until Monday the 17th of August. That morning, a new swell pushes in at 5ft from the ESE (7-second period, energy 209). It’s still a bit raw, but by afternoon it jumps to 8ft from the SE (8 seconds, energy 813). That’s a strong pulse of energy. The wind is cross-off, keeping things fairly clean, but 8ft is expert territory – beginners should sit this one out.
The standout window is Tuesday the 18th and Wednesday the 19th of August. On Tuesday the 18th, you’ve got 8ft SE swell with a period of 8 to 9 seconds, and energy hits 1028 in the afternoon. That’s very strong energy. Wednesday the 19th holds 7ft from the ESE (8 seconds, energy 519) in the morning, but the wind is cross-off. The swell direction here is ENE and east – close to the optimum NE direction for the point. These conditions will produce punchy, clean waves at the point, but that 8-second period means shorter, steeper sets. The spot is fairly consistent, though crowds are often around, so get in early.
Thursday the 20th and Friday the 21st of August are also solid – 5ft from the east (8-9 seconds) with a light offshore breeze Thursday and light cross-off Friday. Energy is in the 300s, and conditions are clean. This is a really nice run for an intermediate surfer.
Past that, Saturday the 22nd holds 5ft east swell, but the wind turns cross-off again. Sunday the 23rd sees the wind shift cross-on and onshore, killing the quality. Monday the 24th afternoon offers a brief clean-up with 4ft from the east (10 seconds, energy 233) and a cross-off breeze, but it’s not a highlight.
Tuesday the 25th of August drops back to 3ft ENE with a gentle offshore in the morning – small clean waves. Wednesday the 26th of August morning looks promising though: 4ft from the ENE (9 seconds, energy 238) and glassy conditions. That’s a very clean, small-wave option to end the period.
Overall, the best on offer is Tuesday the 18th through Friday the 21st of August, with Tuesday the 18th being the true standout for size and energy, but it’s for experienced heads only. Friday the 21st is the pick for intermediates with clean 5ft east swell.
Rusty.
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) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 39 | 0 | 0 | 226 | 5 | 13 | 85 | 12 | 98 | 98 | 12 | 98 | 53 | 47 | 21 | 554 |
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











