Freshwater and Harbord Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.78° S 151.30° E

Freshwater and Harbord Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 am 19 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Freshwater and Harbord sea temperature is
17.0° C
0.9° 

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 18 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 25 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 7s period, NNE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 7s period, NE swell with 321 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 10s 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 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 5s. Another secondary swell of 1.0m and 5s is also forecast. 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 1.8m 7s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore 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 TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10AM (Wed 19th Aug)2ft (0.6m) 10s
Best Surf 1PM (Tue 25th Aug)5.5ft (1.7m) 7s
Most Powerful10AM (Tue 25th Aug)6ft (1.8m) 7s

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 cookin’ for our stretch of coast.

Truth be told, we’re looking at a pretty quiet start and a long, frustrating run of nothing much. The first real chance of anything decent is still a week away, on Tuesday the 25th of August, and even that is a bit of a mixed bag. Before that, from Wednesday the 19th right through to Monday the 24th, it’s mostly small, weak, and messy. We’re talking tiny waves with poor conditions – lots of ordinary surf and not worth paddling out for.

Now, on Tuesday the 25th, things finally wake up a bit. The morning sees a pulse of 6ft from the NE, pushing combined wave energy up to a solidly moderate 546, but it’s still not great for quality, with messy cross-off winds. That afternoon, however, the wind goes dead calm – glassy – and the swell drops to 4ft from the NE. That afternoon window is your only real chance to get something clean and rideable, but it’s still just ordinary surf.

Later in the week, there’s a bit more promise. On Friday the 28th, we get a clean 5ft SSE groundswell with a 9-second period. Both morning and afternoon have light or glassy winds, making for clean conditions. Wave energy is moderate (361 to 384). It’s not a standout power day, but given the dry spell, it’s the best on offer.

The real standout, if you’ve got patience, lands on Tuesday the 1st of September. We’re looking at a 5ft SE groundswell with a 12-second period – that’s proper long-period groundswell energy, delivering a strong 728 in combined wave energy. The sets will have some real punch. Freshwater will pick this up nicely. That swell direction (SE) is a solid match for the break’s optimum ENE. The morning has light onshore winds and rain showers, so it’s not perfect, but the size and power make it the most interesting surf of the whole 16-day window. Just be aware that longer-period stuff like this can throw closeouts at beach breaks, but given the size, it should offer some solid peaks for experienced surfers.

Water temperature is 63°, which is about 2° cooler than average for this time of year – nothing unusual, just your standard winter feel.

So, to wrap it up: don’t bother paddling out until Friday the 28th for a clean but average session. The real one to circle is Tuesday the 1st of September – that’s your best bet for some punchy, meaningful waves, even if the wind isn’t perfect. Keep an eye on it, but for the next week, save your energy.

– Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Warm (max 21°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Mon night. Warm (max 23°C on Mon morning, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
1
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
ESE
10
1.3
E
10
1.2
NE
6
0.7
NE
6
0.9
ENE
6
1.3
ENE
6
0.9
NE
6
0.7
NE
6
0.4
ENE
6
0.4
NE
6
0.4
NE
6
0.4
NE
6
0.6
ENE
6
0.5
ENE
9
0.4
NE
9
0.4
NE
8
0.9
ENE
7
1.6
NE
6
1.8
NE
7
1.2
NE
7
0.9
NE
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
80
307
86
37
53
126
58
39
14
9
9
9
27
43
23
17
81
200
321
156
86
Wind (km/h)
5
NE
20
NE
15
N
10
N
10
NNE
10
NW
15
NW
20
W
15
WNW
5
WSW
15
ESE
5
W
5
NNE
20
NE
10
N
15
NNW
15
NW
15
N
20
NNW
0
NNE
15
SW
Wind State
glassy
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
cross
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross
High Tide
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
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
part cloud
clear
clear
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
light rain
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
light rain
cloud
light rain
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:30
6:28
6:26
6:26
6:24
6:24
6:22
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:27
5:28
5:28
5:29
5:30
5:30
5:30
 mm
1
5
1
4
1
Temp °C
17
16
16
20
21
19
20
16
15
17
16
16
16
16
16
23
22
18
19
17
14
Feels °C
14
12
13
17
18
17
17
12
12
15
13
16
13
12
14
20
19
16
16
18
11
  • 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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