Surf Forecasts:
Freshwater and Harbord surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 25 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 6s period, NE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 9s period, SSE swell with 772 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 25 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 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 Tuesday (Aug 25) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Freshwater and Harbord in the next 16 days are 2.3m 9s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) 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 1.7m 8s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Freshwater and Harbord over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's look at this 16-day window for the region.
First up, the honest truth: it's a pretty grim stretch for Freshwater and Harbord. We're looking at a long, dry spell with almost nothing to get excited about. The first week is basically a write-off, with a whole lot of "poor surf conditions" and zero scores to speak of. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
The outlook doesn't really kick into gear until Sunday the 30th of August. That morning we get a tiny window – a 2ft swell from the SE with a period of 10 seconds and glassy conditions. The combined energy is weak (124), but it's the only time we see "surfable waves" and a score of 1. It's not a standout, it's just the best of a bad bunch. This is a sheltered spot, so it needs a specific angle, and we're getting that SE swell, but the size is tiny.
After that, the forecast falls into another long gap of poor conditions right through to the start of September. We get another brief glimpse of hope on Friday the 4th of September morning with a 4ft NE swell and clean offshore winds, but the short period of 6 seconds means it'll be weak and crumbly, with combined energy only at 200. It's still not worth a paddle.
Then again on the 9th of September, Wednesday morning, we see a 3ft ENE swell with a 7-second period and offshore winds. The combined energy is just 103 and the wave comment says "surfable waves but very ordinary conditions." It's clean, but the swell is too short-period and small to offer any real power.
Honestly, if you're looking for a proper session, this forecast is a bust. The combined wave energy is weak for almost the entire 16 days, and the swell directions (NE and ENE) are not the optimum for this spot, which prefers an ENE. When the wind is good, the swell is tiny, and when the swell has a bit of size, the wind is on it. There's a 5ft swell on the 29th of August, but onshore wind and a short period of 9 seconds make it choppy and messy. For a beach setup like this, that's more of a kite-surfing day than a paddle-surfing one.
It's a tough outlook, but that's the way it goes sometimes. The forecasts can change, so keep an eye on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Thu morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Wed morning, light winds from the SSE by Thu morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Fri night. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri morning, min 11°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | ||||||||||||||
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) | NE 6 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | NE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | ENE 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
132 | 221 | 142 | 186 | 133 | 103 | 76 | 54 | 52 | 68 | 59 | 43 | 329 | 395 | 211 | 134 | 92 | 81 | 33 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | glassy | off | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:30AM0.99m | 6:27PM1.45m | 7:07AM1.06m | 7:05PM1.51m | 7:42AM1.14m | 7:41PM1.53m | 8:16AM1.21m | 8:16PM1.53m | 8:50AM1.28m | 8:52PM1.50m | 9:25AM1.34m | 9:30PM1.43m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:38AM0.30m | 11:56AM0.43m | 1:12AM0.23m | 12:39PM0.37m | 1:44AM0.17m | 1:19PM0.32m | 2:15AM0.13m | 1:59PM0.28m | 2:45AM0.10m | 2:40PM0.25m | 3:16AM0.10m | 3:22PM0.24m | 3:48AM0.13m | ||||||
— | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:34 | — | |
mm | — | — | 4 | 3 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 |
Feels °C | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | NE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | S 7 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | ENE 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 10 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 |
72 | 135 | 142 | 186 | 133 | 103 | 246 | 373 | 343 | 262 | 469 | 435 | 41 | 411 | 201 | 219 | 101 | 71 | 65 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 16 | S 11 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 11 | SSE 9 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | NE 4 |
9 | 45 | 29 | 15 | 42 | 9 | 76 | 54 | 52 | 68 | 59 | 43 | 21 | 395 | 211 | 134 | 92 | 81 | 10 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 17 | S 16 | S 16 | S 16 | — | — | S 15 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 | S 12 | S 12 | — | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 |
6 | 19 | 20 | 47 | — | — | 5 | 17 | 37 | 59 | 48 | 67 | — | 28 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 33 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 6 | NE 7 | N 3 | NW 3 | WSW 3 | S 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 9 | — | — | — | — | NE 3 | NNE 4 |
132 | 221 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 62 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 329 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 10 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 12 | 12 | 0 | 2 | 80 | 7 | 2 | 27 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 2 | 10 | 62 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 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.











