Surf Forecasts:
Forster Beach surf forecast from 15 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, S swell with 1,204 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 16 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 8s period with S 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 Sunday (Aug 16) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 17s. 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 3.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 4AM. 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 Saturday (Aug 22) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Forster Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Alright, let’s be honest – Forster Beach is in a bit of a drought for the next week and a half. Most of this 16-day stretch is either small and messy or just plain unsurfable. There’s a real lull in quality for about 10 days. The only thing that gets me talking is a massive swell way out in the second week.
Right now, nothing is running. Sunday, August 16th, you’ve got a tiny 2ft south swell with a 17-second period, but it’s cross-shore wind and the energy is weak at 445. It’s a total bust. That afternoon and all through Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, it’s cross-onshore or choppy with swell running 4ft to 6ft, but the period is short – around 7 seconds – so the waves are weak and lumpy. Not worth the effort.
We get a brief clean window on Wednesday, August 19th morning. A light offshore from the NNW and a 4ft SE swell. The period is still short at 7 seconds and the energy is 257, so it’s “surfable but very ordinary.” You’ll get a few for sure, but nothing to write home about.
Thursday and Friday the 20th and 21st are more of the same small, cross-shore trash. Friday afternoon on the 21st goes glassy with a 5ft ENE swell, but again short period. Still just ordinary.
Now, the big one. Sunday, August 23rd. Early morning: glassy as a mirror, a massive 12ft south groundswell with a 10-second period. The combined energy is a monster 2150. That’s serious, heavy ocean. Forster Beach is a beginner break though, and anything over 8ft is expert territory. The forecast even says it may be too big for this spot. So while it’s an incredible swell to witness, the paddle-out will be brutal and the waves will likely be heavy closeouts. The afternoon drops to a still-chunky 8ft with onshore wind, making it lumpy. For most of us, that morning is a “watch and be grateful” session.
The last few days clean up a bit. Monday, August 24th afternoon has clean 5ft S swell with a 10-second period and a light offshore from the NNW. Tuesday, August 25th morning is similar: clean, 5ft S swell, light offshore from the NW. These are your best small-wave windows, but they’re not standouts.
All in all, Forster Beach is a hard sell here. The big swell on the 23rd is a beast that’s likely too powerful for the break, and the rest is small and blown out. A frustrating run, but that’s the way it goes sometimes.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 24mm), heaviest during Wed morning. Warm (max 21°C on Fri morning, min 14°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, fresh winds from the NE by Thu afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | ||||||||||||||
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) | S 8 | S 17 | SSE 7 | S 12 | S 11 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | SE 7 | SE 10 | ESE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
270 | 215 | 262 | 330 | 191 | 151 | 155 | 202 | 164 | 204 | 136 | 341 | 177 | 71 | 82 | 192 | 127 | 175 | 151 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | glassy | off |
High Tide | 10:16PM1.64m | 10:49AM1.43m | 10:55PM1.51m | 11:30AM1.42m | 11:34PM1.37m | 12:12PM1.39m | 00:15AM1.23m | 12:57PM1.37m | 1:00AM1.11m | 1:48PM1.36m | 1:53AM1.02m | 2:43PM1.36m | 2:58AM0.96m | ||||||
Low Tide | 4:32AM0.22m | 4:37PM0.37m | 5:06AM0.30m | 5:22PM0.46m | 5:39AM0.38m | 6:12PM0.55m | 6:12AM0.46m | 7:11PM0.64m | 6:51AM0.53m | 8:25PM0.69m | 7:41AM0.59m | 9:55PM0.68m | |||||||
— | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:24 | — | |
mm | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 14 | 8 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 21 | 20 | 17 |
Feels °C | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 17 | 19 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | S 17 | S 17 | S 12 | S 11 | ESE 7 | S 9 | S 12 | ESE 7 | ESE 11 | SE 7 | SE 10 | ESE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | S 11 | ENE 7 |
270 | 215 | 151 | 330 | 185 | 151 | 76 | 98 | 164 | 111 | 136 | 341 | 177 | 71 | 82 | 192 | 96 | 2 | 151 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 17 | ENE 10 | S 13 | SSE 18 | S 16 | S 10 | S 12 | E 9 | S 11 | S 11 | ESE 10 | S 10 | E 12 | ENE 6 | E 10 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | SE 7 |
154 | 20 | 51 | 102 | 47 | 146 | 27 | 6 | 84 | 56 | 92 | 16 | 3 | 24 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | — | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | — | — | SE 11 | SE 15 | ESE 13 | S 16 | S 10 | S 15 | S 15 | E 11 | S 14 | — | E 9 | — | S 10 |
19 | — | 20 | 11 | — | — | 19 | 8 | 67 | 5 | 29 | 4 | 4 | 9 | 4 | — | 2 | — | 8 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | — | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | — | ESE 7 | — | — | — | — | NE 4 | N 5 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | — |
— | 210 | 262 | 185 | 191 | — | 155 | 202 | — | 204 | — | — | — | — | 23 | 44 | 127 | 175 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 22 | 22 | 5 | 22 | 107 | 79 | 69 | 290 | 35 | 0 | 22 | 34 | 34 | 258 | 35 | 35 | 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.











