Emerald Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 30.18° S 153.19° E

Emerald Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 pm 26 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Emerald Beach sea temperature is
19.9°C
0.1° 

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 26 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 7s period, ENE swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s period, ENE swell with 105 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 7s 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 (Aug 27) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Emerald Beach in the next 16 days are 0.9m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 10s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 30) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Thu 27th Aug)3ft (0.9m) 7s
Best Surf 1AM (Thu 27th Aug)3ft (0.9m) 7s
Most Powerful 1PM (Thu 27th Aug)3ft (0.9m) 8s

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


The Lowdown

G'day, Rusty here, and I've gotta be straight with you – the next sixteen days are lookin' pretty grim. We've got a real flat spell on the way, with only a few windows of barely surfable waves. The water temps are sitting around 68° at Emerald Beach, which is pretty average for this time of year.

Let's start with this week. Wednesday afternoon (26th August) is a total write-off. We've got a risk of thunderstorms and weak 4ft swell from the ENE with a short period of 7 seconds. The wind is a cross-off from the SE at 12 mph, but the energy is weak (173), and the conditions are just plain poor.

Thursday morning (27th August) offers a tiny glimmer. We've got 3ft surf from the ENE, period of 8 seconds, and the wind is coming from the south at 12 mph, which is offshore. It's surfable, but very ordinary, with weak energy (98). The wind turns cross-off in the afternoon, and the surf remains poor.

Friday morning (28th August) is the only real standout in this whole stretch. The wind is dead calm, glassy as anything, and we've got a clean 2ft swell from the ENE. The energy is weak (52), but with that glassy surface, it's the best you'll get. It's tiny, but it's rideable. The afternoon turns cross-onshore and choppy, so get out early.

After that, it's a long, slow decline. Saturday morning (29th August) has offshore winds and 2ft waves, but it's still just ordinary. The swell drops to 1ft by Sunday (30th August), and energy levels are down around 50. The whole week from 31st August to 5th September is a desert of tiny, poor surf. The wind is mostly onshore or cross-on, and the swell barely gets above 2ft.

Then, on Sunday morning, 6th September, we get a bit of a pulse. The swell jumps to 5ft from the NNE, but the period is short (7 seconds), and the energy is moderate (232). The wind is a light cross from the WNW at 6 mph. The comment calls it "marginal," so it's not great, but it's the biggest surf of the whole forecast. The afternoon sees 4ft from the same direction. Nothing to get excited about, but it's something.

After that, from 7th September onwards, the surf fades to nothing again. The energy drops to 46 and below, and the swell is under 2ft. The wind is onshore or cross-off, but there's just no wave energy to work with.

So, here's the reality: the best option is Friday morning, 28th August, at Emerald Beach. It's a point break, exposed to the NE swell, and though it's only 2ft from the ENE, the glassy conditions make it the cleanest wave of the fortnight. The water temp is about average. It's a spot that's fairly consistent, but this is a lean run. For beginners, the swell is tiny, so it's fine. For everyone else, it's a small-wave day. The next possible window is that Sunday, 6th September, but that's a week and a half away and the conditions are marginal.

Signing off, Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu morning, min 14°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Tue morning, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
0
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
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)
0.9
ENE
7
0.9
ENE
8
0.8
ENE
8
0.7
ENE
8
0.6
ENE
8
0.5
ENE
8
0.6
ENE
8
0.6
ENE
9
0.6
ENE
9
0.5
ENE
9
0.4
ENE
8
0.5
E
10
0.5
E
9
0.5
E
9
0.5
E
9
0.9
S
16
0.6
E
10
0.6
E
10
0.6
E
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
86
98
76
56
41
35
53
58
59
42
22
48
42
40
38
0
75
71
71
Wind (km/h)
20
SSW
20
SSW
20
SSE
10
SW
5
E
15
E
10
SSW
20
S
25
S
20
SSW
20
S
15
SSE
10
WSW
20
S
20
SSE
10
WSW
10
N
25
NE
10
NNW
Wind State
off
off
cross-off
off
glassy
cross
off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
on
cross-on
High Tide
7:28AM1.11m
7:40PM1.60m
8:03AM1.20m
8:13PM1.60m
8:38AM1.27m
8:46PM1.57m
9:14AM1.34m
9:20PM1.51m
9:52AM1.39m
9:57PM1.41m
10:33AM1.41m
10:38PM1.28m
Low Tide
1:42AM0.15m
1:12PM0.16m
2:11AM0.09m
1:51PM0.13m
2:41AM0.05m
2:30PM0.12m
3:11AM0.03m
3:10PM0.14m
3:41AM0.03m
3:54PM0.17m
4:14AM0.06m
4:42PM0.23m
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:09
6:07
6:07
6:05
6:03
6:03
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:28
5:29
5:29
5:30
5:30
5:30
 mm
Temp °C
16
18
18
16
17
17
16
18
18
16
17
17
16
18
17
17
20
19
16
Feels °C
13
15
15
14
17
15
16
14
14
12
14
14
14
15
14
16
16
15
15
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  • 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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