Emerald Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 30.18° S 153.19° E

Emerald Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 am 19 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Emerald Beach sea temperature is
19.8° C
0.4° 

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 19 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 19 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 11s period, ESE swell with 3,428 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period with E 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 (Jul 19) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 11s 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 4.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.5m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4PM (Sun 19th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 11s
Best Surf 4PM (Sun 19th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 11s
Most Powerful 7PM (Sun 19th Jul)13ft (4.0m) 11s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, I’m Rusty, and here’s how it’s lookin’ for our stretch of coast.

Alright, first up – the early part of this forecast period is a proper wall of water. We’ve got a big, angry pulse of swell that’s just too damn powerful for this break. Sunday the 19th, that swell is hammering in at 13ft from the southeast, with a massive 3301 combined energy reading – that’s some serious grunt. The wave comment tells the story: “the swell is predicted to be too big for this break.” It’s cross-off wind, but honestly, this is a day to sit on the headland and watch, not paddle out. The water temp is a fairly normal 68°, so no surprises there for mid-winter.

Sunday arvo eases a smidge to 10ft from the east, period 11 seconds, still way too big (2152 energy). Monday the 20th is more of the same – 10ft morning, 8ft arvo, both too large. That Monday afternoon gets a marginal surf call too, so the window is tight even if you’re nuts enough to try.

Now, things start to turn our way by Tuesday the 21st. Morning drops to 6ft from the east, 10-second period, and we get clean offshore wind from the SSW. Combined energy is a moderate 612, and the call is “expect very good surf conditions.” This is our highlight of the whole run. Emerald Beach is a point break, and that east swell with a 10-second period should wrap in nicely. The offshore breeze will groom it up clean. Tuesday arvo holds at 5ft, light cross-off, energy at 470 – still good, but the morning is the pick.

Wednesday the 22nd goes downhill fast – onshore wind, poor conditions, tiny energy readings in the 200s. Thursday the 23rd has a glassy 4ft morning, but it’s weak and shifty, only 167 energy. From there, we slide into a long, dry spell.

From Friday the 24th right through to the end of the forecast on Monday the 3rd of August, it’s mostly flat or near-flat – wave heights below 2ft, combined energy mostly under 40, and scores of zero. There’s a few glassy or offshore days, but there’s just no swell to work with. Even the big period stuff late in July and early August (18-second groundswell from the east) only produces 0.7ft – that’s invisible surf.

So the big picture: we’ve got one genuine standout, and that’s Tuesday the 21st morning. Get it while it’s there, because after that, it’s a long stretch of flat to tiny waves. Crowds are likely at Emerald Beach as it’s often busy, but with quality like that offshore window, it’ll be worth sharing the peak. The rest of the run is a blank – not unusual for a mid-winter lull in these parts.

Stay frothy,
Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun afternoon, min 15°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSE on Sun morning, calm by Tue afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Wed morning, min 8°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
!
!
!
!
3
3
3
2
2
0
0
2
1
0
1
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)
4
SE
10
3
E
11
3.5
ESE
11
3
ESE
10
2.5
E
10
2.2
E
10
1.8
E
10
1.6
E
10
1.4
ENE
9
1.3
ENE
9
1.2
ENE
9
1.2
ENE
9
1.1
ENE
8
0.9
ENE
8
0.8
ENE
8
0.5
ENE
8
0.5
ENE
8
0.5
ENE
8
0.5
E
8
0.5
ENE
7
0.5
E
7
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
3301
2152
2979
1896
1425
968
612
470
348
289
243
213
164
125
78
39
39
36
29
30
26
Wind (km/h)
35
SSE
35
S
25
SSE
20
SSE
15
SSE
10
SSE
10
SSW
5
SE
10
W
15
NNW
20
NE
5
WSW
5
SSW
10
E
25
SSW
15
S
10
SE
10
NW
10
SSW
10
SE
10
WSW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
on
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
off
off
cross-off
cross
off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
11:55AM1.21m
11:54PM1.37m
12:48PM1.22m
00:39AM1.19m
1:44PM1.22m
1:29AM1.04m
2:44PM1.24m
2:30AM0.92m
3:44PM1.27m
3:40AM0.86m
4:41PM1.31m
4:50AM0.85m
5:32PM1.37m
Low Tide
5:41PM0.32m
6:24AM0.15m
6:40PM0.43m
7:04AM0.22m
7:50PM0.51m
7:47AM0.28m
9:09PM0.54m
8:37AM0.34m
10:29PM0.52m
9:33AM0.36m
11:34PM0.46m
10:31AM0.36m
00:24AM0.39m
rain showers
light rain
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:39
6:39
6:39
6:39
6:37
6:37
6:37
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:06
5:06
5:07
5:07
5:07
5:08
5:08
 mm
4
2
Temp °C
17
18
17
18
17
17
17
17
16
21
19
17
18
18
16
14
14
12
15
15
14
Feels °C
11
12
12
14
14
14
16
16
15
18
16
16
15
16
15
10
11
10
11
12
11
  • 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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