Surf Forecasts:
Freshwater and Harbord surf forecast from 31 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 7 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 7s period, NE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 7s period, NE swell with 604 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 4 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 6s period with SW 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 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s. 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 2.4m 7s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 10s period and expected on Friday (Sep 04) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Mon 7th Sep) | 8ft (2.4m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Mon 7th Sep) | 8ft (2.4m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Freshwater and Harbord over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s run down the next stretch for Freshwater and Harbord.
Mate, it’s a slow start. We’re looking at a dry spell kicking off Tuesday the 1st of September that stretches for days. The first week is pretty much a flat wash. Tiny bumps, combined energy readings in the 20s and 30s (weak) – nothing worth paddling out for. The wind might be okay at times, cross-off or offshore, but the swell is just not there.
Things finally wake up around Monday the 7th of September into Tuesday the 8th. Monday afternoon: a 6ft swell from the NE with a short 7-second period, but offshore wind from the NW at 16 mph. The combined energy hits 421 (moderate-strong) – the biggest pulse of the entire outlook. That short period means the waves will be a bit lumpy and sectiony, but the offshore wind will clean up the surface nicely. It’s not going to be glassy perfection, but it’s your best shot. Tuesday the 8th morning still has 4ft from the NE with an 8-second period and cross-off wind, so there’s a follow-up session.
The standout break is Freshwater and Harbord. It’s a sheltered, consistent beginner-friendly spot that likes an ENE swell best – and that’s what we’re seeing. The water temp is about average for this time of year. The highlight is Monday the 7th afternoon: the biggest swell and offshore wind. At 6ft, it’s getting into intermediate-to-expert territory. Crowds are often a factor here, so expect company if you go.
After that, the energy drops fast. Tuesday the 8th afternoon gets messy with onshore wind. From Wednesday the 9th onward, it’s back to dribble for the rest of the outlook. There’s a faint hope on Wednesday the 16th morning with a 3ft SSE swell and a light offshore from the NNW, combined energy of 131 (moderate), but it’s a long way out and conditions are just “ordinary” – not a stand-out.
Bottom line: your one true window is Monday the 7th afternoon. There’s nearly a week of flatness before that, then one solid pulse, then back to small stuff. Pick your moment.
Forecasts can change, but that’s the call for now.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Thu morning, light winds from the W by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Sat morning, min 13°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Sat afternoon, light winds from the NNW by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | |||||||||||||||
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 11 | ENE 11 | NE 6 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | SSW 5 | ENE 10 | SSE 12 | NE 5 | ENE 9 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 4 | NE 5 | NE 6 | ENE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
23 | 37 | 34 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 19 | 19 | 49 | 19 | 13 | 27 | 8 | 26 | 27 | 14 | 6 | 22 | 45 | 216 | 257 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off |
High Tide | 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 | 3:54PM1.47m | 5:00AM1.00m | 5:00PM1.54m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 9:09AM0.46m | 10:57PM0.22m | 10:24AM0.42m | 11:54PM0.14m | ||||||||
6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | |
— | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 23 | 26 | 20 | 26 | 26 | 20 | 25 | 23 | 16 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 28 | 26 | 20 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 18 |
Feels °C | 19 | 22 | 17 | 21 | 22 | 17 | 20 | 18 | 10 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 21 | 19 | 17 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | S 10 | S 8 | NE 5 | S 11 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | S 11 | S 9 | S 8 | S 10 | S 10 | ENE 8 |
196 | 182 | 133 | 106 | 76 | 50 | 74 | 52 | 33 | 347 | 61 | 27 | 81 | 26 | 27 | 418 | 155 | 140 | 288 | 153 | 257 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | NE 6 | NNE 5 | NE 6 | ENE 10 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 7 | NE 7 | SSW 11 | S 7 | ENE 9 | S 10 | S 9 | NE 6 | S 12 | S 13 | E 10 | — | S 10 |
23 | 37 | 31 | 19 | 11 | 33 | 13 | 7 | 11 | 8 | 42 | 26 | 8 | 65 | 25 | 14 | 99 | 157 | 8 | — | 123 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | N 12 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | NE 6 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | SSE 12 | S 11 | N 10 | E 9 | E 11 | E 11 | NE 6 | E 10 | E 9 | — | — |
7 | 3 | 34 | 33 | 33 | 5 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 13 | 55 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 8 | 1 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 3 | NE 4 | NW 2 | NW 3 | W 3 | NW 3 | NW 3 | W 4 | SSW 5 | — | NE 3 | — | NE 5 | W 3 | SW 3 | SSW 4 | SE 3 | ENE 4 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NW 3 |
2 | 17 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 49 | — | 11 | — | 36 | 7 | 1 | 11 | 2 | 22 | 45 | 216 | 2 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 119 | 1 | 1 | 28 | 2 | 2 | 165 | 2 | 27 | 8 |
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.











