
Surf Forecasts:
Forster Beach surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 16 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 10s period, S swell with 3,105 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 15 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 6s period with NE 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 (Sep 15) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s. 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 4.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Tue 15th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Wed 16th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Forster Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – Forster Beach is having a rough run. For the next several days, there’s nothing worth paddling out for. The whole stretch from now through until Wednesday the 16th of September is basically a write-off, with weak, messy, cross-onshore slop. You’re looking at a solid gap of poor conditions.
Alright, let’s talk about when it might get interesting. On Wednesday the 16th of September, things flip. A solid 12ft southerly swell hits, with a clean cross-off wind from the SSW. The energy is strong at 1782 (moderate-to-strong). But here’s the catch – this break is a beginner spot, and with that size, it’s too big for anyone except experienced surfers. Still, if you’re an expert, that morning session is the standout of the whole outlook. The swell direction (S) matches the guidance optimum (SE) reasonably well, and the wind is clean.
From Thursday the 17th onward, the size drops but the wind turns messy again – cross-shore chop and lumpy conditions. Friday the 18th shows a glimmer: a 5ft S swell with a light SSW cross-off breeze in the morning, energy around 516 (moderate). It’s clean but short-period (8 seconds), so don’t expect much push. Saturday the 19th of September looks promising early – 4ft from the ESE with a light NNW cross-off, very clean, and the period stretches to 11 seconds. That’s a nice groundswell window for a beginner break, though watch for crowd potential here, as it’s often busy.
After that, it fades. From Sunday the 20th onward, the swell drops away to tiny, weak energy – many days under 100. The second week is mostly flat or too small to bother with. Don’t get your hopes up for the 23rd or 24th – onshore winds and short-period dribble rule.
The water temp is 68° – about average for the time of year, so no surprise there.
So, the one true standout: Wednesday the 16th of September morning – big 12ft S swell, clean cross-off wind, but only for the experienced crew. After that, it’s slim pickings.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NE on Sun afternoon, light winds from the NW by Mon night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Tue night. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Wed morning, light winds from the SSW by Fri morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 12 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | S 9 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
639 | 326 | 227 | 191 | 191 | 180 | 132 | 131 | 72 | 53 | 29 | 1736 | 2387 | 2686 | 1935 | 1251 | 987 | 311 | 346 | 452 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:07PM1.59m | 9:34AM1.52m | 9:45PM1.48m | 10:11AM1.52m | 10:22PM1.36m | 10:50AM1.49m | 11:00PM1.23m | 11:30AM1.45m | 11:41PM1.12m | 12:16PM1.41m | 00:32AM1.02m | 1:07PM1.38m | 1:33AM0.96m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:17AM0.20m | 3:33PM0.28m | 3:48AM0.26m | 4:15PM0.35m | 4:17AM0.33m | 4:58PM0.43m | 4:46AM0.40m | 5:45PM0.52m | 5:18AM0.48m | 6:43PM0.59m | 5:56AM0.56m | 7:55PM0.64m | ||||||||
— | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | |
5:38 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 21 | 19 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 15 |
Feels °C | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 20 | 17 | 14 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 13 | ENE 13 | ENE 13 | S 19 | SSE 9 | S 8 | ESE 10 | ESE 11 |
639 | 326 | 227 | 191 | 191 | 180 | 132 | 58 | 72 | 53 | 29 | 6 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 28 | 791 | 311 | 346 | 452 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 18 | S 21 | S 18 | SSE 16 | ENE 13 | ENE 13 | ENE 12 | ENE 12 | S 10 | S 10 | ENE 14 | S 16 | ENE 13 | — | ENE 13 | E 13 | E 13 | ESE 8 | S 8 | S 8 |
238 | 216 | 163 | 51 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 31 | 30 | 19 | 20 | 17 | — | 17 | 3 | 3 | 171 | 234 | 109 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 13 | ENE 13 | ENE 13 | ENE 13 | S 18 | N 13 | E 16 | N 13 | ENE 13 | ENE 14 | E 9 | ENE 14 | — | — | — | — | S 20 | ESE 10 | S 18 | S 18 |
16 | 34 | 17 | 17 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 17 | 19 | 2 | 20 | — | — | — | — | 7 | 34 | 25 | 162 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NE 4 | NE 4 | NE 5 | NNE 5 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | — | S 4 | S 5 | S 9 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | — | — | NNW 2 |
— | 20 | 15 | 60 | 87 | 49 | 131 | 131 | — | 6 | 59 | 1736 | 2387 | 2686 | 1935 | 1251 | 987 | — | — | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 187 | 35 | 52 | 410 | 59 | 52 | 187 | 35 | 5 | 69 | 137 | 650 | 937 | 396 | 150 | 107 | 13 | 0 | 69 | 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.










