Surf Forecasts:
Freshwater and Harbord surf forecast from 30 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 10s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 5s period, NNE swell with 54 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 4 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 10s period with SSE 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 Friday (Sep 04) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 0.8m and 5s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Freshwater and Harbord in the next 16 days are 1.0m 5s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 12s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 06) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Fri 4th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 5s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Freshwater and Harbord over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get straight into it.
First up, I’ve got to be honest with you: the outlook for Freshwater and Harbord over the next 16 days is a frustrating one. We’re looking at a long, dry spell with barely any swell to speak of. The water temp is sitting at a cool 63°, which is about what you’d expect for this time of year. The first real chance of anything rideable is still a week away, and even then, it’s a gamble.
Starting off, from Sunday the 30th of August right through the first week of September, it’s pretty much a write-off. We’re talking tiny, weak energy levels (combined energy of all swells directed here values are mostly in the teens and twenties, with a few in the thirties and forties). The swell is inconsistent, barely above 1 ft, and mostly from the ENE with short, weak periods. The wind is sometimes offshore, but the swell just isn’t there to back it up. You’d be chasing ankle-biters.
Then we hit Friday the 5th of September. We get a brief spike of 3 ft from the NE, but it’s a short, choppy period of just 5 seconds, and the wind is a solid 16 mph from the NNW. That’s a messy, blown-out combo. The energy is still weak (39). Not a day for a paddle.
The best chance on offer, and I mean the only real standout, comes on Saturday the 13th of September. Sunday morning will see glassy conditions with zero wind, and a small 1 ft NE swell. The combined energy is a paltry 25, so it’s not going to be pumping, but for a beginner spot like Freshwater, that’s the cleanest, most user-friendly window you’ll get. The glassy conditions are a major positive for learning. It’s calm, it’s clean, and it’s the best of a bad bunch. If you’ve got a foamie and you’re keen, that’s your window.
The following Monday afternoon, the 14th, offers a bit more size at 3 ft, but it’s crossed-up with a 19 mph wind, making it lumpy. The energy is still moderate (84), but the quality is poor. It’s a kite-surf situation, not a paddle-surf one.
So, to sum it up: it’s a lean 16 days. The one good, clean window is Sunday the 13th of September morning. It’s not a classic, but it’s the only call on the board.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Wed morning, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Sat morning, min 13°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Fri morning, fresh winds from the NW by Sat morning). | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | ||||||||||||||
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 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | NE 6 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | NE 6 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | ENE 10 | NE 4 | NE 5 | ENE 9 | NE 5 | E 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
24 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 23 | 37 | 34 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 19 | 35 | 33 | 19 | 19 | 25 | 8 | 10 | 9 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 10:02AM1.38m | 10:10PM1.34m | 10:43AM1.41m | 10:55PM1.23m | 11:28AM1.42m | 11:49PM1.12m | 12:22PM1.41m | 00:55AM1.01m | 1:26PM1.40m | 2:18AM0.94m | 2:40PM1.42m | 3:46AM0.94m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:48AM0.13m | 4:07PM0.25m | 4:22AM0.17m | 4:57PM0.28m | 5:00AM0.24m | 5:55PM0.31m | 5:44AM0.32m | 7:04PM0.34m | 6:39AM0.39m | 8:25PM0.34m | 7:49AM0.45m | 9:47PM0.30m | |||||||
— | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 23 | 25 | 20 | 26 | 26 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 28 | 26 | 17 |
Feels °C | 15 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 19 | 22 | 17 | 22 | 23 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 21 | 20 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 8 | S 9 | S 9 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | S 10 | S 8 | NE 5 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 |
219 | 142 | 126 | 134 | 192 | 182 | 133 | 106 | 76 | 50 | 52 | 35 | 33 | 174 | 71 | 25 | 71 | 48 | 48 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 17 | S 15 | S 16 | S 14 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 10 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 10 | S 11 | S 10 | ENE 9 | NE 5 | NE 6 |
148 | 112 | 78 | 95 | 23 | 37 | 33 | 16 | 11 | 33 | 16 | 14 | 7 | 19 | 10 | 102 | 8 | 10 | 5 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | N 12 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | NE 5 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | NE 7 | S 18 | ENE 10 | — | E 9 | E 11 |
24 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 7 | 3 | 34 | 33 | 33 | 5 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 7 | 25 | 18 | — | 7 | 9 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NE 3 | NE 4 | NE 4 | NE 4 | NW 2 | NW 3 | NNE 6 | — | WNW 2 | SSW 6 | SW 5 | WSW 4 | NE 4 | — | NNE 5 | W 4 | SW 3 |
— | — | 2 | 7 | 3 | 29 | 1 | 1 | 29 | — | 1 | 7 | 32 | 16 | 19 | — | 27 | 28 | 7 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 1 | 27 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 107 | 12 | 28 | 177 | 1 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Sydney North Coast | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.











