Surf Forecasts:
Emerald Beach surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 26 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 7s period, NE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 8s period, ENE swell with 275 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period with NE 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 Saturday (Aug 22) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 4s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Emerald Beach in the next 16 days are 1.4m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 9s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Emerald Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright mate, let’s talk about what’s on the cards for Emerald Beach over the next couple of weeks.
To be honest, it’s a slow start. From Saturday the 22nd of August through to around Wednesday the 26th, the surf is pretty lackluster. Waves are small, mostly under 3 feet, with short periods of 6 to 8 seconds, and the wind is often onshore or cross-onshore. Not much happening for a paddle surfer.
Things start to clean up a bit on Thursday the 27th of August. Thursday morning brings a light cross-offshore breeze from the SSE and the swell picks up to about 5ft from the ENE. The combined wave energy is moderate at 264, and the conditions are clean. It’s not a standout, but it’s the best we’ve seen so far in the run.
Now, the session you really want to aim for is Sunday the 30th of August, especially the morning. We’ve got a 6ft swell from the SE, with a short period of 6 seconds, but the energy is strong at 454, and the wind is light cross-offshore from the SE. That means clean waves and decent shape. This is a point break, fairly consistent, and intermediate friendly. The swell direction isn’t the ideal NE, but it’s close enough to work. Crowds are likely, so expect some company, but it should be worth it.
After Sunday, it falls apart again. Monday the 31st gets messy with fresh cross-shore winds, and the rest of the run is mostly onshores or small swell. There’s a possible glassy window on Friday the 4th of September with a 5ft NE swell, but that’s a long way out and not certain.
So, the best bet is Sunday the 30th of August, first light. Water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing unusual.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun morning, min 14°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Warm (max 20°C on Tue morning, min 15°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNE on Tue afternoon, calm by Wed morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | NE 5 | NNE 6 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 54 | 53 | 36 | 45 | 51 | 86 | 54 | 88 | 86 | 80 | 78 | 176 | 210 | 196 | 142 | 194 | 275 | 249 | 207 | 144 | 157 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | glassy | off | off | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 4:07PM1.26m | 4:31AM0.82m | 5:04PM1.33m | 5:29AM0.88m | 5:51PM1.41m | 6:14AM0.95m | 6:31PM1.49m | 6:52AM1.03m | 7:06PM1.56m | 7:28AM1.11m | 7:40PM1.60m | 8:03AM1.20m | 8:13PM1.60m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:11PM0.47m | 10:03AM0.42m | 00:00AM0.39m | 11:03AM0.36m | 00:38AM0.31m | 11:51AM0.29m | 1:11AM0.22m | 12:33PM0.22m | 1:42AM0.15m | 1:12PM0.16m | 2:11AM0.09m | 1:51PM0.13m | 2:41AM0.05m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  |  |  | | | | | |  | |  | | | | | | |  | |
 | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — |
 | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 23 | 21 | 18 |
Feels °C | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 21 | 19 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 6 | SSE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SSE 9 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | ENE 8 | S 10 | S 10 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
| kJ | 54 | 5 | 36 | 45 | 51 | 322 | 160 | 174 | 136 | 80 | 49 | 30 | 210 | 196 | 142 | 194 | 275 | 249 | 207 | 144 | 157 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 7 | E 10 | ENE 9 | E 7 | S 12 | S 14 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | S 10 | S 16 | S 16 | SSW 17 | S 16 | S 14 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 10 | NE 9 | NNE 7 |
| kJ | 8 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 108 | 203 | 54 | 88 | 86 | 102 | 20 | 43 | 56 | 78 | 36 | 21 | 20 | 17 | 32 | 77 | 20 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 10 | E 9 | E 9 | S 19 | ENE 7 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | SE 6 | ESE 6 | SE 6 | N 16 | S 9 | NE 14 | N 13 | N 13 | S 16 | S 5 | S 14 | S 9 | SSW 7 |
| kJ | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 41 | 28 | 27 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 16 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 32 | 41 | 18 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 4 | NE 6 | — | S 4 | SSE 7 | E 6 | — | — | NNE 4 | NNE 4 | NE 5 | NNE 6 | — | — | — | WSW 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 3 | 53 | — | 20 | 47 | 86 | — | — | 16 | 10 | 78 | 176 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 53 | 98 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 39 | 2 | 2 | 380 | 39 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 0 | 2 | 176 |
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
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