Surf Forecasts:
Emerald Beach surf forecast from 27 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 1 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 11s period, E swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 3 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 6s period, N swell with 91 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 1 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 11s 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 Tuesday (Sep 01) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 11s period. 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 1.2m 6s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 03) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.1m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Tue 1st Sep) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Tue 1st Sep) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Emerald Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Looks like we’re in for a bit of a dry spell before things perk up, so don’t be too quick to grab your board for the morning session.
We’ve got a solid stretch of days starting now with hardly anything worth paddling for. From Friday the 28th of August right through to Friday the 4th of September, it’s all poor surf conditions – small, weak, and messy. The swell’s barely a whisper, just 1ft to 2ft from the ENE, with short period around 8 to 10 seconds, and combined wave energy staying low, in the 30s and 40s (moderate energy only shows up briefly on the 3rd and 4th, hitting 90 and 86, but still poor). Winds aren’t doing us any favours either, mostly cross or onshore. A mention for Emerald Beach here – it’s a point break, fairly consistent, exposed to a NE optimum, but it’s just not on. Not a single standout break in this first week – it’s all flat or junk.
Then on Saturday the 5th of September, we finally get a little pulse. Saturday morning sees glassy conditions – light NNW wind, near calm – with a 3ft NNE swell and 6-second period. Combined energy hits 97 (weak). The wave comment says “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions.” It’s not much, but it’s the best we’ve seen. Sunday morning the 6th goes glassy again with a longer 1ft ENE swell at 10 seconds, energy down to 58, but clean. Nothing to write home about.
The real hope shows up on Thursday the 10th and Friday the 11th of September. Thursday afternoon brings a 6ft NE swell with 6-second period, combined energy hitting 204 (moderate energy). The problem is onshore wind from the NNE at 16 mph and the wave comment remains “poor surf conditions.” Friday the 11th though – that’s the one to circle. Friday morning we get a 5ft NNE swell, period still short at 6 seconds, but the wind swings south-southeast at 9 mph, giving us clean cross-offshore conditions. Combined energy is 177 (moderate energy). The wave comment says “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions.” It’s not epic, but it’s the most size and cleanest look in the whole 16-day window. Friday afternoon holds clean cross-offshore too, with 4ft NE swell and energy at 133. This is your best bet – a couple of days with a bit of push and clean lines. For an intermediate, that 5ft swell is just right, not too big for beginners either. Keep in mind the short period means shorter, dumpier waves – not the long lines you’d get from a proper groundswell.
After that, Saturday the 12th rolls in with a 3ft NE swell and onshore wind, so it’s back to the waiting game. That’s the run.
Bottom line: the first week is a write-off. Don’t bother. The standout is Friday the 11th of September – early morning, clean, with a bit of size. That’s your session. Everything else is either tiny, choppy, or just plain ordinary. The water temperature is near normal for this time of year, nothing unusual to report.
Crowds at Emerald Beach can be often, so especially on that Friday morning, expect company at the point. It’s a fairly consistent spot, but it’s been slow for a while – that’ll get people out.
Signing off – Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri morning, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Wed morning, min 14°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | ||||||||||||||
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 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | E 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | N 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
58 | 41 | 35 | 39 | 42 | 45 | 38 | 22 | 31 | 28 | 26 | 24 | 38 | 53 | 51 | 71 | 49 | 48 | 91 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | glassy | cross | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross |
High Tide | 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 | 11:20AM1.42m | 11:26PM1.14m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 4:50AM0.11m | 5:38PM0.30m | |||||||
— | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 16 | 23 | 21 | 18 |
Feels °C | 14 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 19 | 18 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | S 9 | S 12 | SSE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | E 9 | ENE 8 | SSE 10 | ENE 9 | S 18 | S 16 | S 8 | S 11 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | NNE 6 |
58 | 341 | 865 | 443 | 42 | 45 | 38 | 22 | 71 | 28 | 222 | 343 | 140 | 313 | 290 | 250 | 149 | 110 | 63 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | S 13 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | N 11 | N 7 | N 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | S 17 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | S 15 | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 4 | E 10 | E 10 | S 10 |
39 | 340 | 35 | 39 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 31 | 22 | 26 | 24 | 464 | 53 | 51 | 12 | 49 | 48 | 74 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 12 | ENE 8 | NE 11 | S 13 | NE 7 | N 7 | — | NE 15 | NE 15 | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 13 | ENE 11 | S 16 | S 15 | E 10 | NE 11 | NE 11 | E 10 |
6 | 41 | 5 | 31 | 2 | 1 | — | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 38 | 121 | 71 | 71 | 5 | 5 | 49 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | — | — | — | S 10 | S 6 | S 9 | S 9 | S 7 | S 9 | S 8 | S 9 | — | — | ENE 3 | N 3 | NNE 4 | NE 4 | N 6 |
465 | — | — | — | 458 | 236 | 780 | 471 | 186 | 404 | 448 | 381 | — | — | 6 | 8 | 14 | 26 | 91 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 2 | 85 | 5 | 13 | 85 | 13 | 13 | 85 | 5 | 40 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 176 | 2 | 2 | 268 | 2 |
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











