
Surf Forecasts:
Forster Beach surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 21 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 10s period, ENE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 11s period, E swell with 2,558 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 21 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 10s period with ENE 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 (Jul 21) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Forster Beach in the next 16 days are 3.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) 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 0.7m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Tue 21st Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Tue 21st Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Forster Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let's get into it. This is looking like a tough stretch for Forster Beach. We've got a solid run of swell, but the wind is just not playing ball for most of it. The good news is the water temp is sitting right around 67°, which is pretty much average for this time of year, so no nasty surprises there.
We kick off Friday the 17th with some 5ft swell from the SE, but a strong cross-onshore wind from the SSE is making it a messy, choppy affair. Not worth getting wet for. Saturday the 18th is more of the same, with the swell bumping up to 7ft, but the wind is still howling onshore, so it's just a washing machine.
Sunday the 19th morning is the first time we see any real potential. The swell is pumping up to 10ft from the E with a period of 10 seconds, and the combined energy is a solid 1901 (moderate to strong). The problem is the wind is still cross-shore, making it tough. That's a lot of water moving and it's going to be bumpy. This is really only for experienced surfers, as anything over 8ft is expert territory. The afternoon drops a touch to 8ft, but the wind goes more cross-on, so it's still not great.
Monday the 20th sees the swell drop to 7ft in the morning, but the wind from the SE is only 3 mph, making it glassy. The energy is still good at 1015 (moderate). This is the standout of the whole outlook. Clean, manageable waves for a bigger board. The afternoon gets a bit onshore, so the morning is the call.
From Tuesday the 21st onwards, the swell just keeps dropping and the wind is all over the shop. We get a brief moment of glory on Wednesday the 22nd morning with a 3ft ENE swell and glassy conditions – that's a nice little dawny for a log. The rest of the week is a bust, with tiny waves and poor wind.
We hit a real flat spell from the 25th of July through to the 31st. The swell is tiny, often below 2ft, and while the wind is often offshore, there's just no energy (combined energy values are mostly below 100). There's a tiny spike on the 31st afternoon with 4ft from the S, but it's got a short period of 7 seconds and the wind is cross-off, so it's a last-gasp, ugly option.
The main takeaway is that Monday the 20th morning is your best bet. Get out there early for clean, 7ft waves from the east before the wind swings. The rest of the forecast is a write-off, with a long gap of no real surf from the 25th to the 31st.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Fri night. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 15°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed morning, min 13°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SE 7 | ESE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 8 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
244 | 218 | 373 | 547 | 2558 | 1714 | 1460 | 1060 | 818 | 667 | 598 | 473 | 407 | 230 | 181 | 149 | 149 | 119 | 92 | 90 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off |
High Tide | 10:43PM1.75m | 11:24AM1.34m | 11:27PM1.63m | 12:10PM1.34m | 00:11AM1.49m | 12:56PM1.34m | 00:55AM1.35m | 1:44PM1.34m | 1:40AM1.22m | 2:34PM1.35m | 2:30AM1.12m | 3:26PM1.38m | 3:25AM1.04m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:10PM0.34m | 5:13AM0.21m | 5:00PM0.41m | 5:53AM0.28m | 5:51PM0.50m | 6:33AM0.36m | 6:45PM0.59m | 7:13AM0.44m | 7:48PM0.66m | 7:55AM0.50m | 9:01PM0.69m | 8:41AM0.53m | 10:21PM0.68m | |||||||
— | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | |
5:02 | — | — | 5:04 | — | — | 5:04 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:07 | — | |
mm | 1 | 5 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 14 |
Feels °C | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 10 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 |
35 | 39 | 56 | 51 | 2260 | 1714 | 1460 | 1060 | 818 | 667 | 598 | 473 | 407 | 230 | 181 | 149 | 149 | 119 | 92 | 88 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | S 20 | S 21 | S 20 | SSE 19 | S 18 | S 16 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 |
18 | 8 | 79 | 71 | 122 | 158 | 135 | 167 | 187 | 229 | 157 | 112 | 81 | 49 | 31 | 31 | 36 | 18 | 8 | 90 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 20 | — | — | S 18 | S 10 | S 18 | S 9 | SE 16 | SE 16 | S 16 | S 20 | S 15 | SSE 15 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | — | — | — | SSW 4 |
7 | — | — | 6 | 28 | 6 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 21 | 8 | 18 | 22 | 16 | 14 | 12 | — | — | — | 4 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 7 | ESE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 8 | E 11 | S 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | NNE 3 | — | — | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | — |
244 | 218 | 373 | 547 | 2558 | 23 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 4 | — | — | 19 | 22 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 106 | 5 | 272 | 284 | 201 | 243 | 201 | 5 | 5 | 70 | 0 | 15 | 318 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 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.










