Freshwater and Harbord Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.78° S 151.30° E

Freshwater and Harbord Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 am 04 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Freshwater and Harbord sea temperature is
17.7°C
0.2° 

Freshwater and Harbord surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Freshwater and Harbord surf forecast from 4 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 9 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 10s period, SSE swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, SSE swell with 1,353 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 9 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 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 Wednesday (Sep 09) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 10s. 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 3.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 9s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Wed 9th Sep)5.5ft (1.7m) 10s
Best Surf 4AM (Wed 9th Sep)5.5ft (1.7m) 10s
Most Powerful 1AM (Thu 10th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 9s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Freshwater and Harbord over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, surfers, Rusty here. Let’s get straight into it for the local stretch.

Looking at the whole 16-day window, it's a tough run ahead. We’ve got a long, quiet stretch coming up with nothing really worth paddling out for until Tuesday the 8th of September, and even then, conditions are far from perfect. For a spot like Freshwater and Harbord that’s usually pretty consistent, this is a frustratingly blank period.

The first real blip on the radar hits on Tuesday the 8th of September. We see a jump in size with a 7 ft swell pushing in from the SSE. The wave energy is moderate, registering at 572. But here’s the catch – that SSE direction is blowing straight onshore, and we’ve got a moderate breeze out of the south creating a cross-onshore chop. The water temp is about average for this time of year. It’s going to be messy, lumpy, and honestly, more of a battle than a pleasure. This size is too much for beginners and will be a challenge for intermediates. For the experienced crew, if you’re desperate, you might find a few, but it’s not the call.

After that, the pattern gets even quieter. The rest of the week and into the second week sees tiny waves, mostly under 2 ft. The wind does swing offshore a few times, like on Monday morning the 7th with glassy conditions from the WSW, but there’s simply no energy behind it – the swell is a weak 0.7 ft. It’s a classic case of “clean but nothing.”

There’s a very brief uptick on Monday the 14th of September with a 4 ft NE swell (energy at 183). The wind is cross-offshore from the north, keeping things clean. But the period is short at 7 seconds, so the waves will be a bit weak and won’t have much push. It’s a better option than most, but still not a standout. Crowds are often here, so expect company even for small waves.

The real low point comes late in the forecast. By Thursday the 17th and Friday the 18th of September, a strong southerly blast moves in. We’re talking 28 to 34 mph winds from the SSE, with rain. This is blown-out, messy, and downright ugly. The swell is tiny. For a sheltered spot like this, when the wind and rain hit that hard, it’s not even worth looking at the ocean.

The best of a bad bunch: Honestly, there isn’t a true standout. The best chance for a surf, if you’re really keen, is Monday the 14th of September at Freshwater and Harbord. The 4 ft NE swell with clean, cross-offshore winds is the most rideable combo in this whole period. Keep your expectations low on the quality, but it’s the least worst option.

If you’re a kite surfer, the strong onshore days on the 8th and especially the 17th-18th will be more interesting than anything a paddle surfer can do.

Stay patient, folks. This is a lean run.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WNW on Fri night, fresh winds from the NNW by Sat afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon morning, min 10°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon morning, strong winds from the S by Wed night).

Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
NE
8
0.5
NE
8
0.6
NE
4
0.3
ENE
9
1
NE
5
0.9
NE
6
0.6
NE
7
0.4
NE
7
0.2
E
10
0.2
E
10
0.2
E
10
0.2
ENE
10
0.4
SE
9
0.2
ENE
10
0.1
NE
10
1.6
SSE
9
1.5
SSE
9
3
SSE
9
0.1
E
16
0.1
NE
15
0.2
ENE
15
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
20
28
13
17
54
56
30
15
8
8
8
11
29
9
4
418
359
1353
10
9
21
Wind (km/h)
10
WSW
20
ENE
5
NW
15
N
25
WNW
25
WSW
25
WSW
15
SSE
10
WSW
5
WNW
15
ESE
35
S
20
SSW
10
SSE
10
NW
10
NW
30
SSE
35
S
30
SSW
30
S
20
SSW
Wind State
cross-off
cross
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
off
off
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
1:26PM1.40m
2:18AM0.94m
2:40PM1.42m
3:46AM0.94m
3:54PM1.47m
5:00AM1.00m
5:00PM1.54m
5:57AM1.09m
5:56PM1.60m
6:46AM1.19m
6:47PM1.63m
7:28AM1.28m
7:32PM1.62m
Low Tide
8:25PM0.34m
7:49AM0.45m
9:47PM0.30m
9:09AM0.46m
10:57PM0.22m
10:24AM0.42m
11:54PM0.14m
11:29AM0.34m
00:42AM0.07m
12:24PM0.27m
1:23AM0.03m
1:15PM0.20m
2:01AM0.03m
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:09
6:09
6:07
6:05
6:05
6:03
6:01
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:37
5:38
5:38
5:39
5:40
5:40
5:42
 mm
Temp °C
20
18
17
29
30
23
20
20
17
19
18
15
13
14
14
19
16
13
12
15
15
Feels °C
17
14
16
24
25
19
16
16
15
17
15
6
8
12
12
17
10
4
4
9
9
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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