Surf Forecasts:
Freshwater and Harbord surf forecast from 13 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 6s period, ESE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 6s period, SSE swell with 203 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 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 Tuesday (Aug 18) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m 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 1.6m 6s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 7s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 15) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Freshwater and Harbord over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, it’s Rusty here.
Look, I’ve got to be straight with you. We’re looking at a pretty bleak stretch ahead for the next couple of weeks. For the first run of days, there’s just nothing doing. The swell is tiny and the wind is all over the shop, mostly onshore or cross-onshore. From Thursday the 13th right through to Tuesday the 18th, the surf is basically a write-off. We’re talking ankle-biters with poor conditions. It’s a long, flat spell, and you’d be better off doing anything else but staring at the ocean.
There’s a brief moment on Wednesday the 19th in the morning when the wind drops to glassy. That’s our first real chance to get wet, but it’s pretty ordinary – a small 4ft swell from the ESE with a weak period of 6 seconds. The combined energy is only 132, which is weak. It’s surfable, but you’ll be fighting for scraps. Same goes for Saturday the 22nd – we finally get a bit of a push. The swell jumps to 5ft from the ENE, with a period of 9 seconds, and the wind turns offshore from the NW. That’s the best of the lot, and the combined energy reads 357, which is moderate. Sunday morning the 23rd will still have some 4ft ENE groundswell with a clean offshore, so that’s a decent window too. But it’s still not big, and it’s not going to be epic.
Now, if you’re looking for the standout, it’s that Saturday the 22nd afternoon. That’s the pick. The swell is a touch over 5ft, the wind is light offshore, and it’s clean. The period is 9 seconds, so it’s not a long-period groundswell, but it’s got a bit of push. The water is a bit colder than normal, sitting at 62°F – about 3°F off the average, so don’t forget the hood.
For the second week, things are a bit more promising but less certain. Sunday the 23rd morning stays clean with 4ft, and then we get another shot on Tuesday the 26th morning with 3ft and a light offshore. But it’s small and inconsistent. After that, it fades right off again. The last few days of the month just drop away to nothing.
So, in short: don’t hold your breath for the next week. If you’ve got to get out, aim for Saturday the 22nd afternoon. It’s the best on offer. It won’t be world-class, but it’ll be the most fun you’ll have all fortnight. And remember, the long-range stuff is always a bit of a gamble, but that Saturday looks like the one to circle.
Stay stoked.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Fri night. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu morning, min 11°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun night, min 13°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 7 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | SE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | SE 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
54 | 35 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 17 | 18 | 161 | 178 | 183 | 192 | 149 | 88 | 132 | 110 | 45 | 65 | 113 | 104 | 65 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | on | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:37PM1.72m | 9:18AM1.29m | 9:21PM1.64m | 10:00AM1.32m | 10:04PM1.51m | 10:41AM1.34m | 10:46PM1.36m | 11:23AM1.34m | 11:30PM1.20m | 12:07PM1.32m | 00:16AM1.05m | 12:55PM1.29m | 1:12AM0.93m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:14PM0.19m | 3:14AM-0.02m | 3:03PM0.19m | 3:52AM0.02m | 3:52PM0.22m | 4:28AM0.10m | 4:41PM0.28m | 5:03AM0.19m | 5:33PM0.35m | 5:38AM0.29m | 6:29PM0.42m | 6:14AM0.38m | 7:34PM0.47m | ||||||||
6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | |
— | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 4 | 1 | 4 | — | 1 | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
Feels °C | 13 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 9 | S 9 | ENE 10 | SSE 7 | S 9 | SE 7 | S 11 | ESE 7 | SE 7 | S 8 | ESE 6 | SE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | SE 7 |
134 | 492 | 266 | 195 | 138 | 173 | 251 | 18 | 161 | 41 | 183 | 146 | 149 | 49 | 31 | 110 | 45 | 65 | 113 | 104 | 65 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 18 | S 18 | S 17 | S 12 | S 18 | S 10 | S 9 | S 12 | S 11 | E 6 | ENE 6 | S 8 | S 9 | ENE 6 |
54 | 35 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 17 | 58 | 96 | 91 | 42 | 24 | 116 | 76 | 25 | 84 | 26 | 20 | 12 | 14 | 19 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | S 19 | S 16 | S 18 | S 15 | S 15 | S 19 | S 14 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | S 14 | — | S 14 | S 12 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 11 | S 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | S 8 |
5 | 7 | 19 | 26 | 40 | 17 | 29 | 4 | 19 | 20 | 36 | — | 4 | 27 | 15 | 15 | 56 | 30 | 19 | 8 | 5 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 7 | — | W 3 | — | — | S 9 | — | S 8 | — | SE 7 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | — | E 7 | ESE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
214 | — | 3 | — | — | 276 | — | 350 | — | 178 | 109 | 192 | — | 88 | 132 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 97 | 2 | 1 | 62 | 1 | 2 | 62 | 5 | 115 | 10 | 165 | 10 | 165 | 168 | 30 | 100 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 0 |
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.











