
Surf Forecasts:
Emerald Beach surf forecast from 20 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 10s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 10s period, E swell with 1,060 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 10s 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 Monday (Jul 20) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 10s 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 2.3m 10s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.2m 15s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 25) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Emerald Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright mates, Rusty here. We’ve got a short-lived pulse of surf at Emerald Beach, but don’t get too excited – it fades fast. The week kicks off with a couple of half-decent sessions, then it flatlines for the rest of the 16-day window. Let’s break it down.
Monday 20 July afternoon – There’s a chunky 8ft east swell rolling in, but it’s coming with a cross-off breeze and the wave comment calls it marginal. The water’s sitting around 68°F, which is average for this time of year. Combined energy is strong at 1293, but with that size and a period of 10 seconds, it’s really only for experienced surfers. Choppy and not the best call.
Tuesday 21 July morning – This is the one to go for. A solid 6ft east swell, period still 10 seconds, but the wind is SSW offshore – nice and clean. The energy drops to a moderate 623, but the waves will have shape. Crowds are often here, so expect company. This is the standout of the whole outlook – get out there early.
Tuesday afternoon – Still surfable at 5ft east, but the wind swings cross-off and the energy is down to 474. Not as good as the morning, but still clean.
From Wednesday 22 July onward the bottom falls out. Swell drops below 4ft and stays small – most days are poor or very ordinary with scores of zero or one. The wind goes onshore or cross-on, and by Friday 24 July we’re looking at 2ft and dropping to barely a ripple by the end of the month. A few glassy moments on Thursday 23 morning and Sunday 26 morning, but the swell is too tiny to matter. The long-range into August shows nothing but 0.7ft slop with weak energy in the tens. No decent waves after Tuesday.
So yeah – one morning of proper surf, then a long dry spell. Get on it early Tuesday.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Wed morning, min 14°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu afternoon, min 9°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | ||||||||||||||
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) | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | E 8 | NE 8 | E 8 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
1293 | 987 | 623 | 474 | 397 | 302 | 289 | 262 | 166 | 122 | 94 | 67 | 51 | 64 | 62 | 58 | 35 | 10 | 14 | 5 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 5:47AM0.88m | 6:17PM1.44m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 11:24AM0.32m | 1:05AM0.32m | |||||||
— | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | |
5:06 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:09 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 |
Feels °C | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 10 | S 15 | S 13 | S 12 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 |
1293 | 987 | 623 | 474 | 397 | 302 | 289 | 262 | 166 | 122 | 94 | 67 | 51 | 546 | 2111 | 1094 | 575 | 760 | 566 | 396 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 6 | S 18 | S 16 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | E 8 | NE 8 | E 8 |
153 | 141 | 87 | 82 | 56 | 31 | 31 | 18 | 20 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 21 | 64 | 62 | 58 | 35 | 10 | 14 | 5 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 16 | S 15 | S 16 | S 15 | S 14 | E 12 | E 12 | SE 9 | S 3 | S 10 | — | E 7 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 6 | S 20 | NE 6 | NNE 6 | NE 6 |
— | 5 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 16 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 8 | — | 1 | 11 | 25 | 2 | 30 | 6 | 4 | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | N 4 | SSW 3 | SSW 3 | — | S 6 | S 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 11 | 1 | 2 | — | 268 | 302 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 85 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 39 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 0 | 13 | 85 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 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










