Surf Forecasts:
Forster Beach (Nambucca) surf forecast from 30 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 10s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 30 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 10s period, SSE swell with 248 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 30 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 10s period with SSE 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 Sunday (Aug 30) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m and 10s 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 1.2m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 30) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Sun 30th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Sun 30th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Sun 30th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Forster Beach (Nambucca) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Nambucca Heads.
Look, it’s going to be a real mixed bag over the next couple of weeks. The first week or so is mostly small and ordinary, so you’ll need to pick your moments. The real action doesn't fire up until we get into the second week, with a big pulse of swell that’s worth waiting for if you’re an experienced surfer.
Water temp is sitting at 68°, which is about average for the time of year, nothing to write home about.
Kicking off Sunday the 30th, we actually have a decent little window. Early morning at Forster Beach (Nambucca) should be clean with light cross-offshore winds from the S at 6 mph. There’s a 5ft swell from the SSE with a period of 9 seconds, and the combined energy is moderate at 573. It’s a good call for beginners, as the size is manageable. By afternoon the wind swings SE and picks up, making it a bit cross and choppy, so get your session in early.
Monday the 31st is a tease. Early morning has clean conditions with a tiny 2ft swell from the S, but get this – the period is a massive 18 seconds! That’s a very long-period groundswell moving through. Combined energy is moderate at 319. For a beach break like this, that long period might make it break a bit too straight, so don’t expect classic peaks. It’s more of a novelty, but for a longboard or a learner, it could be a fun, easy paddle with tiny waves.
From Tuesday September 1st right through to Monday September 8th, it’s a slog. Expect a lot of onshore or cross-onshore winds, lots of choppy conditions, and surf that barely reaches 3ft. Mostly poor surf, with a few ‘ordinary’ moments in there. There’s a long gap where you wouldn't bother paddling out. Wait it out.
Finally, Tuesday the 8th afternoon is when things get interesting. The wind swings to the WSW at 12 mph, blowing offshore, and the swell jumps to 6ft from the NE. The combined energy is 440, moderate. This is clean and punchy, but that size is getting a little too much for beginners. More for the intermediate crew on a fun board.
The standout period is definitely Thursday the 10th through Saturday the 12th, but this is for experts only. On Thursday afternoon, a solid 8ft S swell rolls in with a period of 14 seconds, and combined energy is a massive 3230 – that’s strong wave energy. The wind is cross from the SE at 12 mph, so it might be a little textured. Friday the 11th holds similar size, 8ft from the S with 13-second period and 1971 energy, again with light cross winds. Saturday the 12th morning still has 6ft with a moderate offshore wind from the S. This whole stretch is big, powerful, and not for the faint hearted. If you’re experienced and hungry, this is your window.
After that, it drops back down. Sunday the 13th and Monday the 14th see smaller surf, around 2ft to 4ft, but with clean conditions and glassy moments. A nice chilled recovery session after the big stuff.
So, if you’re a learner, the best bet is Sunday the 30th early. If you’re experienced, save your energy for Thursday and Friday of that second week.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Thu morning, min 15°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | S 18 | S 9 | S 16 | S 15 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | S 10 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
314 | 248 | 193 | 156 | 151 | 132 | 113 | 174 | 116 | 85 | 83 | 58 | 52 | 52 | 51 | 49 | 33 | 121 | 58 | 73 | 48 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | glassy | off | cross | on | cross-off | cross-on | cross | off |
High Tide | 9:21PM1.50m | 9:52AM1.39m | 9:58PM1.40m | 10:34AM1.41m | 10:39PM1.28m | 11:21AM1.42m | 11:27PM1.14m | 12:16PM1.41m | 00:27AM1.00m | 1:24PM1.40m | 1:47AM0.90m | 2:42PM1.42m | 3:19AM0.88m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:11PM0.14m | 3:42AM0.03m | 3:54PM0.18m | 4:14AM0.07m | 4:42PM0.23m | 4:51AM0.12m | 5:39PM0.30m | 5:33AM0.19m | 6:48PM0.37m | 6:26AM0.26m | 8:15PM0.40m | 7:35AM0.32m | 9:46PM0.35m | ||||||||
6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | |
— | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 27 | 27 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 29 | 31 | 19 |
Feels °C | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 25 | 26 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 26 | 27 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | S 8 | S 9 | SSE 8 | S 10 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | NE 5 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 8 | S 8 | S 10 | S 11 | NE 4 | NE 6 |
314 | 248 | 193 | 137 | 151 | 67 | 102 | 174 | 116 | 85 | 83 | 29 | 52 | 52 | 51 | 31 | 31 | 121 | 58 | 22 | 28 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 10 | ENE 9 | S 18 | S 16 | S 16 | E 10 | E 10 | NE 5 | E 10 | E 10 | S 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | NE 5 | S 10 | SSE 10 | ENE 4 | S 8 | S 10 | S 10 |
36 | 47 | 28 | 156 | 134 | 132 | 56 | 51 | 24 | 49 | 49 | 58 | 31 | 31 | 7 | 49 | 33 | 4 | 18 | 73 | 48 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 18 | S 17 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 10 | S 15 | — | E 10 | NE 5 | NE 11 | E 10 | NNE 5 | NE 5 | ENE 10 | S 4 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 |
— | 6 | 53 | 26 | 25 | 34 | 113 | — | 49 | 12 | 5 | 46 | 10 | 7 | 31 | 6 | 29 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 19 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | S 8 | — | — | — | — | — | NE 4 | N 5 | NNE 5 | NNE 4 | — | N 5 | NNE 5 | S 3 | — | E 4 | — | NE 6 | NNE 5 | — |
223 | 130 | — | — | — | — | — | 24 | 51 | 18 | 15 | — | 19 | 21 | 2 | — | 8 | — | 8 | 50 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 54 | 0 | 8 | 262 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 49 | 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.











