Emerald Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 30.18° S 153.19° E

Emerald Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 am 22 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Emerald Beach sea temperature is
19.7° C
0.3° 

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 22 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 26 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s period, NE swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 6s period, NE swell with 261 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 7s 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 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 7s. 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 1.9m 6s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 9s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Sat 22nd Aug)2.5ft (0.7m) 7s
Best Surf 7PM (Wed 26th Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 8s
Most Powerful 1AM (Wed 26th Aug)6ft (1.9m) 6s

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


The Lowdown

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s coming up for the next couple of weeks.

Honestly, mate, it’s a pretty quiet run for us. The surf is small and there’s not a lot of energy in the water. We’ve got a few mornings that might be worth a paddle, but nothing that’s going to get the heart racing. The first real chance to get wet is this Saturday morning, the 22nd of August, so we’ve got a couple of days of flat nothing to sit through before that.

The main spot we’re looking at is Emerald Beach. It’s a point break that’s fairly consistent and exposed to the right kind of swell. The water temp is sitting at 68°, which is pretty much bang on what you’d expect for this time of year – no surprises there.

Saturday morning, 22nd August: Here’s your best bet of the whole outlook. We’ve got a tiny 3ft swell from the NE, with a short period of 6 seconds. The combined energy is weak (63). The magic bit is the wind – it’s glassy, dead calm from the NNW. That means the surface will be like a mirror, so even though it’s small, it’ll be clean. It’s surfable, but very ordinary. Expect crowds here, as it’s often busy. If you’re a beginner, this is your size.

Saturday afternoon the wind swings cross-on and it gets messy. Sunday morning the 23rd sees a proper offshore from the S, but the swell drops to 2ft with a period of 8 seconds. It’s clean, but it’s tiny.

The rest of the first week and into the second is a real mixed bag of tiny swell and onshore winds. There’s a bit of a bump in energy mid-week, with the combined energy hitting 190 on Wednesday morning the 26th, but it’s from the NE with a short 6 second period and cross-on wind, so it’ll be a choppy mess.

Thursday morning the 27th is another one to look at. The swell is 4ft from the ENE at 8 seconds, with a gentle offshore breeze from the S. It’s clean, and the combined energy is moderate (163). It’s still surfable but very ordinary. Not a standout, just a decent session if you’re desperate.

Looking further out, Monday morning the 31st of August has a clean 2ft ENE swell with a gentle offshore. Tuesday morning the 1st of September is glassy again, but the swell is only 2ft. Friday morning the 4th of September has a moderate offshore wind on a 2ft ENE swell, and then Saturday morning the 5th of September has offshore winds and a 2ft E swell with rain showers.

The biggest issue is that the swell is consistently small, mostly under 3ft, and the period is short. There’s nothing that’s going to push through with any real power. The best on offer is that glassy Saturday morning, the 22nd, for a clean, small-wave session. The offshore mornings are clean, but the size is so marginal it’s hard to get excited. For a point break like Emerald, a long period groundswell would be ideal, but we’re not getting that.

For anyone looking for a bit more juice, the moderate wave energy (163) on the 27th with offshore wind is the next best thing, but it’s still a mellow day. The combined energy never gets strong, topping out at 190, so don’t expect any barrels.

Given the small size and the onshore winds that mess up the afternoons, a few of those days with the 4ft to 5ft swell and stronger onshore winds might look more interesting to the kite crew than us paddle surfers.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 23°C on Wed afternoon, min 15°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNE on Tue afternoon, calm by Thu night).

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
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
1
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
NE
6
0.8
NE
6
0.7
NE
7
0.6
ENE
8
0.7
ENE
8
0.7
ENE
7
0.7
ENE
7
0.7
ENE
8
0.8
ENE
8
0.9
ENE
8
1.4
NE
5
1.9
NE
6
1.4
NE
6
1.3
NE
7
1.1
ENE
8
1.1
ENE
8
1.1
ENE
8
1.1
ENE
8
1.1
ENE
8
1
ENE
8
1
ENE
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
54
45
47
45
51
42
42
62
82
120
83
261
162
159
161
160
153
157
157
147
147
Wind (km/h)
5
NNW
5
NNW
15
SW
20
S
15
SSE
10
S
5
SSW
15
NE
10
NW
15
N
30
NNE
20
NNW
10
NNW
15
NNW
15
SSW
15
S
15
SSE
5
SW
10
N
20
NE
10
NW
Wind State
glassy
cross-on
off
off
cross-off
off
off
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
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
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
light rain
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:13
6:13
6:11
6:11
6:09
6:09
6:07
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:25
5:25
5:27
5:27
5:28
5:28
5:29
 mm
1
2
2
Temp °C
17
18
17
18
18
17
18
18
16
21
20
18
20
23
17
18
18
17
20
19
17
Feels °C
16
17
16
15
16
15
17
16
15
18
16
16
19
21
15
16
15
16
17
17
17
  • 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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