Surf Forecasts:
Forster Beach surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 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 358 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 11s. 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 cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 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
G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’m not gonna sugarcoat it—this run for Forster Beach is pretty grim for a good stretch. You’re gonna wanna wait for the one day that actually delivers, because the rest is a whole lot of nothing.
Water temp’s about average for the time of year, so no surprises there.
We’ve got a solid week of junk from Wednesday the 19th through Tuesday the 25th. All of it’s “poor surf conditions.” Tiny, weak bumps mostly under 3ft, with periods mostly 6 to 10 seconds, and the combined energy is weak—under 160 most of the time. Winds are cross or cross-on, making it choppy and messy. Don’t bother. There’s a glassy moment Monday the 24th afternoon and Tuesday the 25th morning, but with only about 2ft of weak swell, it’s barely worth paddling for.
Wednesday the 26th through Friday the 28th stays poor. Strong cross-off winds from the SW at 15-16 mph keep it clean, but the swell is short period and messy. Combined energy hits 311 on Thursday morning, but it’s not wrapping in cleanly at all.
Then, Saturday the 29th morning finally offers something. A clean 5ft SSW swell at 8 seconds, light cross-off winds at 6 mph, and combined energy of 286. It’s the first “expect good surf conditions” call. That’s a small, workable wave for a beginner-friendly break, but the cross-off wind will make it a little tricky. Still, best of a bad bunch.
Now, Sunday the 30th morning is the big one. We’re looking at a solid 10ft SSE groundswell, period 9 seconds, with clean offshore WNW winds at 6 mph. Combined energy is a massive 1357—that’s strong wave energy. This is expert-only territory. The swell direction is close to optimum SE for Forster Beach, and with offshore wind, it’ll be clean and powerful. Proper day for the experienced crew. The afternoon gets messy again, but that morning window is the only real standout.
After that, Monday the 31st and Tuesday the 1st September are back to choppy, messy conditions with strong cross-on winds and big energy (1182 – 382) but poor surf.
The final chance is Wednesday the 3rd September morning: a tiny 2ft ENE swell at 8 seconds, combined energy of 105, and light cross-off winds. It’s “surfable but very ordinary”—a tiny clean wave if you just need to get wet.
Bottom line: The first week is a total dud. Saturday the 29th morning offers a small, rideable surf. Sunday the 30th morning is the only proper swell—expert territory with a 10ft groundswell and offshore winds. That’s the one to wait for. The rest is a long gap of nothing.
Stay patient and don’t rush out for the small stuff.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Fri morning, min 14°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NE on Thu afternoon, calm by Fri afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Mon afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Mon morning, min 14°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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 8 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 9 | E 7 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | SSW 9 | NE 9 | S 17 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | NE 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 188 | 133 | 328 | 188 | 111 | 114 | 116 | 51 | 34 | 26 | 20 | 16 | 27 | 37 | 49 | 55 | 96 | 69 | 145 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross | on | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross | cross | glassy | off |
High Tide | 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 | 6:12AM0.46m | 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 | |||||||
 |  | |  | |  | | |  |  | | | | | | | |  |  | |
 | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:27 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 7 |
Temp °C | 17 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 21 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 21 | 19 | 18 |
Feels °C | 16 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 10 | E 9 | E 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 10 | NE 8 | NE 8 |
| kJ | 188 | 93 | 328 | 188 | 111 | 31 | 14 | 51 | 34 | 26 | 20 | 16 | 18 | 37 | 41 | 54 | 96 | 69 | 102 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | S 10 | S 8 | E 11 | E 10 | S 13 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SSW 6 | SSW 9 | SSW 8 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | S 10 | S 11 |
| kJ | 143 | 133 | 29 | 18 | 9 | 7 | 3 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 27 | 12 | 44 | 49 | 45 | 65 | 82 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 10 | — | E 12 | — | S 14 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | S 9 | NE 8 | SSW 5 | S 9 | S 17 | S 13 | SE 5 | ESE 5 | S 15 |
| kJ | 56 | 30 | — | 11 | — | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 49 | 55 | 1 | 2 | 17 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | NE 6 | NE 6 | — | — | SW 4 | SW 5 | — | — | SW 3 | — | NNE 3 | — | — | NE 9 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 114 | 116 | — | — | 2 | 10 | — | — | 3 | — | 1 | — | — | 145 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 15 | 195 | 35 | 34 | 187 | 0 | 17 | 202 | 59 | 181 | 137 | 13 | 13 | 234 | 35 | 15 | 0 | 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.
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