Surf Forecasts:
Freshwater and Harbord surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 6s period, NE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 6s period, NE swell with 259 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 6s period with NE 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 Thursday (Aug 20) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 12s 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 1.8m 6s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 20) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Freshwater and Harbord over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's break down what's cookin' for the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, the first week is a total dud. From Wednesday the 19th of August right through the end of the month, it's a long, dry spell. The water temp is 17°, which is pretty average for the year, so no wetsuit surprises there.
The first little flicker of hope comes on Tuesday the 25th of August. It's not a day to call in sick for, but it's the only game in town. Tuesday morning, the wind is glassy, which is a dream. We've got a 1.4m NE swell with a 7-second period, and the energy is moderate (200). It's a clean, surfable wave, but it's pretty ordinary. The better bet is Tuesday afternoon – still glassy, with a 1.3m ENE swell (198 energy). It's not gonna be a classic, but it's the only window in the first week worth paddling out for.
Then we hit a big dead zone. After Tuesday, it's back to poor conditions with no real surf until the 2nd of September. That's a solid week of nothing.
Now here's the long-range standout. Circle Wednesday the 2nd of September on your calendar. The swell is going to fire up big time. We're looking at a solid 3.0m to 3.5m SSE groundswell (energy 3792 and 2943), which is very strong. This is strictly for experts – that's a lot of power. The wind is cross-shore on Wednesday morning, but by Wednesday afternoon it's a gentle cross-shore, making it much cleaner. The period is 12 seconds, so it's a proper groundswell that will hold its shape. The swell direction (SSE) matches up well for Freshwater's sheltered setup that likes ENE. It's a promising window, but it's more than a week out, so keep an eye on the updates.
The short story: Forget the first week and a half. The only real standout is the 2nd of September, but you'd better be a solid surfer to handle it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Warm (max 20°C on Thu morning, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Tue morning. Warm (max 21°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 10 | NE 6 | ESE 8 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | S 5 | SE 5 | E 5 | ENE 4 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | NE 5 | NE 7 | ENE 8 | NE 8 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 210 | 86 | 56 | 72 | 121 | 51 | 30 | 18 | 9 | 19 | 28 | 16 | 19 | 24 | 25 | 53 | 53 | 200 | 198 | 211 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | off | off | off | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | cross-on | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:12AM0.93m | 1:51PM1.26m | 2:24AM0.86m | 2:55PM1.25m | 3:46AM0.84m | 4:00PM1.27m | 4:56AM0.87m | 4:57PM1.32m | 5:49AM0.92m | 5:45PM1.39m | 6:30AM0.99m | 6:27PM1.45m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:34PM0.47m | 6:57AM0.47m | 8:49PM0.50m | 7:52AM0.53m | 10:06PM0.48m | 9:01AM0.55m | 11:10PM0.43m | 10:09AM0.53m | 11:58PM0.37m | 11:07AM0.49m | 00:38AM0.30m | 11:56AM0.43m | 1:12AM0.23m | |||||||
 |  |  |  |  |  | |  | | | | | |  | | | |  | | | |
 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — |
 | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 8 | 6 | 7 |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 14 | 15 | 15 |
Feels °C | 12 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 10 | SE 9 | ENE 6 | SE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | SE 5 | E 5 | S 8 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | S 10 | ENE 9 | NE 7 | ENE 8 | NE 8 |
| kJ | 210 | 81 | 40 | 23 | 121 | 51 | 30 | 18 | 9 | 9 | 28 | 16 | 50 | 24 | 25 | 30 | 31 | 200 | 198 | 211 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | E 12 | ESE 8 | E 10 | S 12 | S 11 | SE 7 | S 10 | SSW 5 | S 9 | NE 6 | S 8 | S 17 | S 8 | S 10 | S 16 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 10 |
| kJ | 10 | 3 | 56 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 14 | 9 | 34 | 49 | 28 | 35 | 5 | 25 | 13 | 5 | 8 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | — | E 11 | S 13 | — | S 11 | S 11 | SE 8 | S 9 | E 9 | S 9 | NE 6 | E 14 | NE 8 | NE 8 | E 13 | S 15 | S 14 | S 15 | S 14 |
| kJ | 6 | — | 2 | 4 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 14 | 9 | 4 | 18 | 15 | 3 | 17 | 16 | 4 | 4 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 4 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | — | — | NW 3 | WNW 2 | — | S 5 | SE 5 | — | ENE 4 | NNW 3 | — | ENE 7 | NE 5 | — | NW 3 | NW 3 |
| kJ | 17 | 86 | 50 | 72 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 19 | 28 | — | 19 | 2 | — | 53 | 53 | — | 6 | 3 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 452 | 0 | 0 | 49 | 0 | 1 | 40 | 194 | 177 | 284 | 1 | 2 | 346 | 1 | 1 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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.
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