Surf Forecasts:
Forster Beach surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 8s period, ESE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 10s period, ESE swell with 382 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 8s period with ESE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Forster Beach this week:
The surf forecast for Forster Beach over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Forster Beach in the next 16 days are 1.3m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Forster Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk about what's coming up for Forster Beach.
Right now, things are looking pretty grim. The forecast opens with rain and a choppy onshore wind, and that poor surf hangs around for a solid week. We're looking at a stretch from Tuesday the 18th right through to at least Monday the 24th of August where the conditions are just no good. It's a real dry spell, with mixed-up wind and weak, short-period swell making for messy, unrideable waves. The water is sitting at about 66°F, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
You'll start to see a real shift around Tuesday the 25th of August. That morning, a clean offshore breeze from the West kicks in, and while the swell is only 3ft from the South, it's got a decent 10-second period. The combined energy of all swells directed here is moderate (342). It's not a monster, but it's clean, and you'll find some fun little waves. The afternoon stays clean with a cross-offshore wind, too. That's the first real window of opportunity after the long wait.
The real standout, the one you want to circle on the calendar, is Friday the 28th of August. The morning session is looking like the pick of the entire forecast. We've got a clean 5ft swell from the SSW, building in from a solid 10-second period, and the wind is a light offshore from the southwest. The combined energy jumps right up to strong (587). It's going to have some push and the clean conditions will make it a proper session. The swell is a bit meaty for beginners, but for anyone with a bit of experience, it's going to be fun. Forster Beach is a fairly exposed beach break, so it'll handle that south swell well. In the afternoon, the wind shifts onshore, so get in early.
There's another promising window on the horizon, but it's further out. Saturday the 30th of August morning has a fresh offshore wind from the WSW, hitting 19 mph, with an 8ft swell from the ENE. That's a big one – only for the experts. The combined energy is very strong (929). The period is a bit short at 7 seconds, so it might be a bit bumpy, but the offshore wind will be blowing it open. Then, right at the end of the run, Wednesday the 2nd of September morning shows a 7ft swell from the South with a 9-second period and a cross-offshore wind. The combined energy is through the roof at a very strong (1440). That's a whole lot of power, but it's also a long way out, so treat it as a promising heads-up rather than a guarantee.
The long and short of it is: wait out this first week. The 25th is a nice, clean intro, but the 28th is the true standout. Then, keep an eye on the last few days of the month for some bigger, more powerful stuff.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu morning, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Warm (max 20°C on Fri morning, min 15°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 9 | E 7 | ENE 5 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 9 | S 18 | S 15 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
193 | 193 | 161 | 345 | 295 | 194 | 113 | 56 | 133 | 43 | 35 | 33 | 27 | 29 | 50 | 102 | 159 | 121 | 214 | 202 | 125 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 12:12PM1.39m | 00:15AM1.23m | 12:57PM1.37m | 1:00AM1.11m | 1:48PM1.36m | 1:53AM1.02m | 2:43PM1.36m | 2:58AM0.96m | 3:42PM1.38m | 4:10AM0.96m | 4:41PM1.42m | 5:22AM1.00m | 5:34PM1.48m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:12PM0.55m | 6:12AM0.46m | 7:11PM0.64m | 6:51AM0.53m | 8:25PM0.69m | 7:41AM0.59m | 9:55PM0.68m | 8:46AM0.62m | 11:11PM0.61m | 9:57AM0.62m | 00:01AM0.52m | 11:01AM0.58m | 00:39AM0.43m | ||||||||
6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | |
— | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:27 | — | |
mm | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 16 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 21 | 21 | 19 |
Feels °C | 13 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 19 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 18 | 20 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 7 | S 11 | ESE 8 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 9 | E 7 | SE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 10 | S 8 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 |
193 | 85 | 161 | 345 | 295 | 189 | 113 | 33 | 115 | 43 | 35 | 33 | 27 | 29 | 50 | 50 | 94 | 76 | 214 | 202 | 125 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | ESE 13 | ESE 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 8 | E 11 | E 10 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 8 | SSW 6 | S 6 | S 11 | NE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 |
98 | 69 | 143 | 46 | 29 | 19 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 14 | 13 | 31 | 121 | 35 | 50 | 99 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | ENE 9 | S 11 | S 10 | — | E 12 | E 10 | S 14 | S 13 | E 9 | S 11 | S 10 | SE 7 | S 8 | SE 8 | S 18 | S 15 | ENE 7 | ENE 9 | NE 4 | S 15 |
6 | 8 | 56 | 45 | — | 11 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 102 | 159 | 36 | 8 | 3 | 41 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ESE 7 | — | — | — | E 9 | N 3 | ENE 5 | NE 6 | — | — | — | SW 4 | — | S 4 | — | — | — | N 3 | NE 3 | — |
— | 193 | — | — | — | 194 | 8 | 56 | 133 | — | — | — | 11 | — | 1 | — | — | — | 5 | 4 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 22 | 181 | 0 | 15 | 181 | 35 | 15 | 196 | 0 | 20 | 195 | 69 | 74 | 69 | 0 | 5 | 234 | 35 | 15 | 35 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Port Macquarie | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Forster Beach Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Forster Beach provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Forster Beach can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Forster 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 (Forster 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 Forster 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 Port Macquarie? If you are looking for accommodation near Forster Beach, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Port Macquarie, consider staying in Forster which is 5 km (3 miles) away. Other places in and around Port Macquarie where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Taree which is 34 km (21 miles) away, Port Stephens, Port Macquarie and North Shore.











