Surf Forecasts:
Freshwater and Harbord surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s period, ESE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 10s period, ESE swell with 235 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 11s. 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 1.1m 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 1.1m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 20) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Freshwater and Harbord over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's coming down the line for us.
Mate, I've gotta be straight with you – the next couple of weeks are looking pretty grim for a proper paddle. We've got a long stretch of small, weak, and messy conditions ahead. The good news is that the end of the run, a week and a half from now, has a real spike in energy that could make it all worthwhile.
Starting from Tuesday the 18th, it's a flat start. Tiny, short-period swell from the ESE with cross-onshore winds making a mess of things. The combined energy is weak at best (129). Water temp is sitting at 62°, which is a bit colder than we're used to for this time of year. Wednesday the 19th offers a brief window on the morning with a glassy 3ft swell and light offshore winds (NW at 5 km/h), but it’s still pretty ordinary. The energy is moderate at 166, but the wave quality just isn't there.
From Thursday the 20th right through to Tuesday the 1st of September, it’s a real dry spell. We're looking at a solid 12-day gap with almost no surf of any consequence. Swells drop to below 3ft, periods are short, and the combined energy readings are in the weak range (9 to 106). The winds are mostly clean or offshore at times, but there’s just no power in the water to work with. On Sunday the 23rd, it’s completely flat with a zero reading.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. On Wednesday the 2nd of September, the models are showing a sudden jump. The morning brings in a 6ft swell from the SE with a 10-second period and a combined energy reading of 675, which is solidly moderate. The wind is light onshore (SSE at 5 km/h), so it'll be a bit lumpy, but that’s a whole lot more ocean moving than we’ve seen. The real standout, though, is the Wednesday afternoon. We’re looking at a punchy 8ft swell from the SSE with a 9-second period and a massive combined energy reading of 2338 – that’s strong wave energy. Winds are light from the ESE at 10 km/h. That's a lot of juice.
For Freshwater and Harbord, this afternoon session on the 2nd is the only true standout in the whole 16-day run. It's going to be big and powerful, so this is strictly for the experienced crew. The swell is coming from the SSE, which is a little east of the optimum ENE direction for this sheltered spot, so it might wrap in a bit differently, but there will be plenty of energy. The 9-second period means it won't be the cleanest groundswell, but for power, you can't argue with it.
Be warned, this spot is consistent and can get crowded often, so get in early if you're keen.
This is definitely not a beginner's session – over 8ft is expert territory. For the rest of us, we wait and see if that spike cleans up. A long stretch like this can turn around quickly, so keep an eye on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 20°C on Thu morning, min 14°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Fri morning, min 14°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 10 | SE 9 | ESE 7 | NE 4 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | S 18 | NE 9 | NE 5 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
114 | 96 | 104 | 86 | 235 | 81 | 38 | 31 | 82 | 52 | 34 | 13 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 0 | 37 | 25 | 23 | 34 | 47 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | on | glassy | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 4:56AM0.87m | 4:57PM1.32m | 5:49AM0.92m | 5:45PM1.39m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 10:09AM0.53m | 11:58PM0.37m | 11:07AM0.49m | 00:38AM0.30m | ||||||||
6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | |
— | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | |
mm | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 23 | 23 | 16 |
Feels °C | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 20 | 21 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 11 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 10 | SE 9 | NE 5 | ESE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ESE 7 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | S 5 | S 8 | NE 5 | S 10 | S 10 | ENE 6 |
82 | 56 | 104 | 86 | 235 | 81 | 30 | 31 | 82 | 52 | 5 | 13 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 4 | 35 | 25 | 69 | 69 | 47 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | ESE 14 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | S 8 | E 12 | ESE 7 | E 10 | S 12 | SE 7 | S 11 | SE 7 | S 5 | S 8 | S 4 | S 9 | S 15 | S 10 | NE 5 | ENE 7 | S 9 |
6 | 61 | 100 | 80 | 10 | 3 | 38 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 13 | 3 | 14 | 69 | 77 | 5 | 34 | 41 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 15 | E 9 | S 10 | S 9 | E 9 | — | E 11 | S 13 | — | S 11 | — | S 10 | S 9 | S 4 | S 6 | S 18 | E 7 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | S 16 | ENE 9 |
9 | 7 | 46 | 23 | 6 | — | 2 | 4 | — | 2 | — | 2 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 55 | 1 | 17 | 23 | 21 | 9 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | — | — | — | NE 5 | — | NE 4 | — | — | ENE 6 | — | SSW 2 | — | — | — | NE 9 | NNE 5 | — | NE 3 | NNW 3 |
114 | 96 | — | — | — | 62 | — | 26 | — | — | 34 | — | 1 | — | — | — | 37 | 40 | — | 5 | 4 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 31 | 31 | 0 | 0 | 400 | 0 | 1 | 28 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 269 | 244 | 748 | 177 | 1 | 315 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 12 |
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.











