Surf Forecasts:
Freshwater and Harbord surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 17 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period, ESE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 10s period, ESE swell with 248 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period with ESE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Freshwater and Harbord this week:
The surf forecast for Freshwater and Harbord over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 6s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Freshwater and Harbord in the next 16 days are 1.2m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) 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 0.9m 10s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Freshwater and Harbord over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s cooking around Freshwater and Harbord.
Truth is, the next week and a half is a flat patch. From Monday the 17th through to Tuesday the 25th of August, it’s mostly small, onshore slop or just barely surfable waves. You’ve got a brief moment of glass on Wednesday the 19th, but that’s a 0.6m ESE swell – you’d need a log and a lot of patience. The energy’s weak (112) and the wind’s cross-on. Not worth rushing out.
The first real chance of a proper wave hits Tuesday morning, the 25th of August. We get a clean, offshore NW breeze at 10 km/h and a 1.7m swell from the SSE. The combined energy jumps to 485 – that’s a solid pulse. The SSE direction isn’t perfect for this spot, but with light offshore wind and that much power, it’s the best we’ll see. That’s strictly for the experienced crew – 1.7m packs a punch here. Crowds are often a factor, so get there early.
After that, the options get small again towards the end of the month. Saturday morning the 29th of August offers a 1.3m NE swell with a clean offshore NW wind at 10 km/h. Energy is moderate (226). It’s surfable and clean, but nothing massive.
The rest of the forecast looks quiet. A few glassy mornings on the 30th, 31st of August and the 1st of September, but the swell is puny – under 0.7m. You’ll be sliding around on small, clean waves if you’re desperate. The 31st has a long 12-second period, but only 0.5m of wave, so it won’t do much.
Water temps are average for this time of year – nothing noteworthy.
Bottom line: Tuesday the 25th of August morning is the standout. The rest is mostly small, clean windows for the die-hards. Don't plan your week around it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Sun night. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue morning, min 13°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Fri afternoon. Warm (max 20°C on Thu morning, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 9 | E 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
46 | 102 | 83 | 93 | 57 | 69 | 100 | 80 | 248 | 162 | 68 | 104 | 68 | 53 | 34 | 26 | 19 | 19 | 16 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | on | glassy |
High Tide | 10:46PM1.36m | 11:23AM1.34m | 11:30PM1.20m | 12:07PM1.32m | 00:16AM1.05m | 12:55PM1.29m | 1:12AM0.93m | 1:51PM1.26m | 2:24AM0.86m | 2:55PM1.25m | 3:46AM0.84m | 4:00PM1.27m | |||||||
Low Tide | 5:03AM0.19m | 5:33PM0.35m | 5:38AM0.29m | 6:29PM0.42m | 6:14AM0.38m | 7:34PM0.47m | 6:57AM0.47m | 8:49PM0.50m | 7:52AM0.53m | 10:06PM0.48m | 9:01AM0.55m | 11:10PM0.43m | |||||||
— | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | |
mm | 6 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 16 |
Feels °C | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | ESE 7 | S 9 | S 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 6 | ESE 10 | E 9 | E 6 | E 10 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | S 5 | ENE 6 |
182 | 102 | 76 | 49 | 57 | 69 | 85 | 66 | 248 | 162 | 68 | 2 | 68 | 53 | 34 | 26 | 19 | 2 | 16 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 6 | S 10 | SSW 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | S 8 | S 8 | ESE 8 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | SE 7 | S 5 | S 5 | SE 7 | S 6 |
46 | 113 | 53 | 24 | 82 | 56 | 100 | 80 | 12 | 5 | 14 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 6 | ENE 10 | SSW 12 | SE 10 | E 9 | ESE 14 | S 10 | S 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 11 | — | S 13 | — | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 |
23 | 10 | 30 | 16 | 6 | 61 | 46 | 24 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | 3 | — | 9 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 5 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 5 | — | — | — | NNW 3 | — | ENE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | NE 6 | W 3 |
— | — | 83 | 93 | 31 | 16 | — | — | — | 3 | — | 104 | — | — | — | — | — | 19 | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 7 | 22 | 10 | 28 | 12 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 132 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 279 | 194 | 279 | 269 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Sydney North Coast | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Freshwater and Harbord Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Freshwater and Harbord provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Freshwater and Harbord can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Freshwater and Harbord 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 (Freshwater and Harbord) 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 Freshwater and Harbord 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.
Freshwater and Harbord is 4 km (2 miles) from Dee Why. If you plan a holiday in Sydney North Coast, look for hotels and other accommodation in Dee Why. Dee Why has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











