
Surf Forecasts:
Emerald Beach surf forecast from 22 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 23 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 9s period, ENE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 9s period, ENE swell with 202 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 23 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 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 Thursday (Jul 23) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m 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 1.1m 9s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 4AM. 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 Thursday (Jul 30) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Emerald Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let’s have a look at what’s coming our way for the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, it’s a tough start. We’re looking at a pretty flat and quiet run for the first week and a half, so don’t bother rushing to get the wettie on just yet. From today, Thursday the 23rd of July, right through to Monday the 3rd of August, there’s just nothing doing. The swell will be small, weak, and inconsistent – the combined energy of all swells directed here is in the low double digits, sometimes even single digits (down to 8). There’s a few glassy mornings in there on the 26th, 27th, and 28th, but with waves barely 0.7 ft to 1 ft, it’s a lake, not a surf. Don’t even think about it.
We start seeing a pulse of life on Monday the 3rd of August. The morning is still ordinary with a 2 ft swell and some energy (96), but the afternoon gets interesting. By Monday afternoon, Emerald Beach picks up a clean 5 ft swell from the SE with a period of 9 seconds. Combined energy hits a moderate 338, and the light SE wind keeps it clean. That’s a solid reintroduction to the water – not huge, but surfable and looking fun.
Then Tuesday the 4th of August morning is the standout of the whole outlook. Winds go glassy, absolutely zero wind, and you’ve got a clean 3 ft swell from the SE with an 11-second period. The combined energy is sitting at 238, so there’s some proper push behind it. This is the one to circle on the calendar – a glassy, clean morning at Emerald Beach. The water temperature is average for this time of year, nothing weird going on with that.
Now, if you’re an experienced surfer, keep an eye on Thursday the 6th of August. That morning is pumping big – a 10 ft SE swell with a short period of 8 seconds, and a combined energy of 1235. That’s strong. Wind is offshore and clean. But let’s be real – that’s too big for this spot for most people, and a short period, straight-up beach break at that size is not your friend. That is strictly for the experts, and even then, be careful.
Friday the 7th of August backs off slightly to a still chunky 7 ft from the SE (567 energy), with offshore wind again – big, powerful waves for the crew with the skills.
So, to wrap it up: the first 10 days are a write-off. Do something else. The real action kicks off Monday the 3rd of August afternoon, with the absolute best bet being Tuesday the 4th of August morning – glassy, clean, waist to chest high, and no drama. The second week has size, but you better be on your game.
Stay stoked.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed night, min 10°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue morning, min 11°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | ||||||||||||||
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 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 9 | NE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | ENE 7 | SE 8 | NE 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
238 | 166 | 125 | 96 | 68 | 50 | 35 | 24 | 16 | 16 | 11 | 11 | 5 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 5 | 32 | 37 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:30AM0.92m | 3:44PM1.27m | 3:40AM0.86m | 4:41PM1.31m | 4:50AM0.85m | 5:32PM1.37m | 5:47AM0.88m | 6:17PM1.44m | 6:35AM0.92m | 6:58PM1.51m | 7:16AM0.97m | 7:35PM1.57m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:37AM0.34m | 10:29PM0.52m | 9:33AM0.36m | 11:34PM0.46m | 10:31AM0.36m | 00:24AM0.39m | 11:24AM0.32m | 1:05AM0.32m | 12:11PM0.27m | 1:42AM0.26m | 12:53PM0.22m | 2:16AM0.20m | |||||||
— | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:10 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 15 |
Feels °C | 16 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 10 | S 14 | S 12 | S 11 | S 12 | S 13 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 8 | S 8 | NE 6 |
238 | 166 | 125 | 96 | 68 | 50 | 867 | 2033 | 915 | 448 | 510 | 1127 | 524 | 305 | 262 | 162 | 92 | 34 | 37 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 11 | S 10 | S 6 | E 12 | E 10 | E 8 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | S 16 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 12 | E 12 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | SE 8 | S 8 |
18 | 20 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 19 | 35 | 24 | 16 | 16 | 188 | 11 | 5 | 12 | 12 | 5 | 5 | 32 | 19 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 12 | SE 9 | SE 8 | S 10 | S 15 | S 17 | NE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | ENE 8 | — | E 13 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 12 | E 12 | E 11 | SE 8 |
3 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 20 | 23 | 13 | 5 | 11 | — | 4 | 5 | 5 | 11 | 3 | 2 | 14 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSW 3 | S 3 | — | S 6 | S 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 3 | WSW 3 |
— | 3 | 2 | — | 281 | 339 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 39 | 0 | 13 | 85 | 0 | 2 | 234 | 2 | 2 | 39 | 2 | 2 | 39 | 2 | 2 | 85 | 2 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Coast - New South Wales | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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










