
Surf Forecasts:
Forster Beach (Nambucca) surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 10s period, ESE swell with 3,194 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period with ESE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Forster Beach (Nambucca) this week:
The surf forecast for Forster Beach (Nambucca) over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 21s. Another secondary swell of 1.7m and 7s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Forster Beach (Nambucca) in the next 16 days are 4.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 13ft (4.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Forster Beach (Nambucca) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s have a look at what’s in store for the Nambucca area over the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, we’ve got a fair bit of action on the way, but it’s a mixed bag. The first real chance to get wet won’t be until Friday the 18th, and even then it’s a bit touch and go. We’re looking at a pretty solid run of swell from the 20th onwards, but the wind and size are going to pick and choose who gets the good stuff.
The main break to keep an eye on is Forster Beach (Nambucca). It’s an exposed, fairly consistent beginner-friendly spot, but when the swell gets up, it’s only for the experienced crew.
The water temp is sitting at about 67°F, which is pretty normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.
The week starts off a bit average. Friday the 18th has some swell around 7ft to 8ft from the SE, but the wind is messy and cross. Not worth paddling out for.
Saturday the 19th looks a lot better. The wind swings offshore in the morning, with a 8ft SE swell at a moderate 8-second period. The energy is ramping up with a combined total of 806. By the afternoon, it’s getting bigger – 8ft from the ESE, period stretching to 10 seconds, and the energy jumps to 1476. The wind is still cross-off, so it’ll be clean. This is a solid option for the weekend.
Now, Sunday the 20th is where it gets serious. The swell is pushing 12ft in the morning and 10ft in the afternoon, both from the ESE, period around 10 seconds. The combined energy is massive – 2482 and 1941. This is expert territory. The wind is a bit of a cross, so it’ll be lumpy. For a beginner spot, this is too big, but for the experienced few, it’s a proper challenge.
The standout window is Monday the 21st and Tuesday the 22nd. This is the best of the entire forecast. Monday morning brings a 8ft E swell, 10-second period, with a light cross-off breeze and clean conditions. The energy is 1113. But the real gem is Monday afternoon: the wind drops to glassy, 7ft E swell, still 10 seconds, energy at 1050. Glassy, clean, good size – this is the pick of the bunch. Tuesday morning keeps the magic going with a 6ft E swell, glassy conditions, and a lighter energy of 732.
After that, the swell backs off quickly. Wednesday the 23rd is small – 4ft – and the wind goes onshore in the afternoon, so the morning glass-off is the only chance. Thursday and Friday are tiny, 3ft or less, with average wind.
The second week looks pretty quiet. There’s a flare-up on Wednesday the 30th with a 4ft S swell, glassy conditions, and a combined energy of 204 – that’s a nice, clean little session for the morning. Then again on Thursday the 1st of August, you’ve got a 5ft S swell, glassy and calm, with 435 energy. Those are your best bets in the second week.
The crowds at Forster Beach can be around sometimes, but with the conditions and size, you’ll have your pick of waves if you time it right.
So, if you’re looking for the absolute best, hit Monday afternoon the 21st – glassy, 7ft, and clean. Tuesday morning the 22nd is a close second. For the second week, the Thursday morning the 1st of August session is the one to aim for.
Stay safe out there, and don’t get caught out by the big stuff on Sunday.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 37mm), heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri morning, min 13°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Sat afternoon, light winds from the S by Sun night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
552 | 412 | 322 | 724 | 1219 | 3194 | 2410 | 1863 | 1310 | 1026 | 938 | 865 | 637 | 500 | 347 | 240 | 248 | 173 | 165 | 135 | 108 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | glassy | on | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 10:15AM1.17m | 10:27PM1.70m | 11:05AM1.19m | 11:11PM1.54m | 11:56AM1.21m | 11:54PM1.36m | 12:49PM1.22m | 00:40AM1.19m | 1:45PM1.23m | 1:31AM1.04m | 2:44PM1.24m | 2:32AM0.92m | 3:44PM1.27m | 3:42AM0.86m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:56PM0.11m | 5:05AM0.02m | 4:47PM0.21m | 5:45AM0.08m | 5:42PM0.32m | 6:25AM0.15m | 6:42PM0.43m | 7:05AM0.22m | 7:51PM0.51m | 7:48AM0.29m | 9:11PM0.54m | 8:38AM0.34m | 10:30PM0.52m | ||||||||
6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | |
— | 5:05 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | |
mm | 1 | 4 | — | — | — | 14 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 15 |
Feels °C | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 18 | S 18 | ESE 8 | S 22 | ESE 10 | SSE 20 | SSE 18 | SSE 18 | ESE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 |
27 | 25 | 322 | 36 | 1219 | 39 | 66 | 61 | 1310 | 1026 | 938 | 865 | 637 | 500 | 347 | 240 | 248 | 173 | 165 | 135 | 106 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 8 | S 12 | S 14 | S 11 | SSE 21 | — | — | S 23 | SSE 16 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 | — | ENE 9 |
7 | 11 | 16 | 10 | 44 | — | — | 11 | 81 | 87 | 112 | 103 | 88 | 57 | 56 | 31 | 31 | 17 | 20 | — | 108 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | NNE 8 | S 19 | S 21 | — | — | S 18 | S 17 | — | — | — | S 16 | S 20 | S 16 | S 15 | S 14 | S 13 | E 12 | — | — | S 12 |
3 | 6 | 7 | 36 | — | — | 6 | 6 | — | — | — | 5 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 15 | 4 | 3 | — | — | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 7 | SE 7 | S 7 | SE 8 | S 6 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | SSE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 3 | S 6 |
552 | 412 | 124 | 724 | 213 | 3194 | 2410 | 1863 | 173 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 91 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 329 | 330 | 7 | 7 | 466 | 382 | 382 | 286 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 131 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Port Macquarie | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Forster Beach (Nambucca) Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Forster Beach (Nambucca) 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 (Nambucca) can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Forster Beach (Nambucca) 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 (Nambucca)) 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 (Nambucca) 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.
Forster Beach (Nambucca) is 31 km (19 miles) from the city of Coffs Harbour. If you plan a holiday in Port Macquarie, look for hotels and other accommodation in Coffs Harbour. Coffs Harbour has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










