
Surf Forecasts:
Friendly Beaches surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 15s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 15s period, S swell with 531 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 18s period with S swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Friendly Beaches this week:
The surf forecast for Friendly Beaches over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Friendly Beaches in the next 16 days are 1.1m 15s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 1PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Friendly Beaches over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the cards for the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, we've got a run of small but clean conditions kicking off this Saturday, July 18th. The swell is a tiny 2ft from the south, but with a very long period of 17 seconds. That's proper groundswell. The wind is light and variable, going glassy in the afternoon. Combined wave energy is moderate (328). It won't be big, but it’ll be clean and lined up, especially for a point or reef. This is more of a longboard or a funboard session.
The standout period really starts to build from Tuesday, July 28th. The morning of the 28th sees a jump in energy with a 3ft south swell, period 16 seconds, and a solid offshore wind from the west at 12 mph. The combined energy is strong (544). That’s a proper clean, lined-up swell. The afternoon gets even better with the same 3ft swell, period 15 seconds, and combined energy up to 876. The wind stays light offshore. This is the pick of the forecast for sure.
The following day, Wednesday July 29th, is a close second. We’ve got 4ft of south swell with a 14-second period and light offshore winds from the west at 6 mph. Combined energy is very strong (773). It’s a touch bigger, still clean, and a real treat.
Now, a word of warning. Thursday July 30th and Friday July 31st see a massive, dangerous swell. We’re looking at 16ft on Thursday morning with a combined energy of 5054. That’s huge. The wind is favourable, but this is far too big for this break. It’s only for absolute experts, and even then, it’s a serious call. Forget about it for a fun paddle.
After that, things settle down. Saturday August 1st shows a drop back to 5ft from the SSE with a 9-second period, combined energy of 518, and light offshore winds. It’s a decent, surfable wave, but not a patch on the 28th and 29th.
So, the story is clear: the first week is small and clean, but the real action is from Tuesday July 28th through Wednesday July 29th. That’s your window. The water temp is about average for this time of year.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue morning, min 5°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 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) | S 17 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | NE 13 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 10 | NE 10 | N 7 | NE 10 | S 15 | S 17 | S 15 | S 15 | S 15 | S 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
297 | 153 | 287 | 264 | 189 | 134 | 237 | 263 | 308 | 303 | 254 | 212 | 154 | 144 | 79 | 69 | 142 | 167 | 428 | 353 | 220 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 11:54AM1.02m | 11:12PM1.14m | 12:38PM1.06m | 00:10AM1.01m | 1:20PM1.09m | 1:12AM0.90m | 2:00PM1.12m | 2:20AM0.81m | 2:39PM1.13m | 3:31AM0.77m | 3:19PM1.14m | 4:40AM0.75m | 4:00PM1.15m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:19PM0.53m | 5:59AM0.18m | 6:27PM0.51m | 6:38AM0.28m | 7:36PM0.48m | 7:15AM0.38m | 8:42PM0.44m | 7:51AM0.46m | 9:43PM0.40m | 8:30AM0.53m | 10:37PM0.35m | 9:14AM0.58m | 11:25PM0.31m | ||||||||
7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | |
— | 4:55 | — | — | 4:57 | — | — | 4:58 | — | — | 4:59 | — | — | 5:00 | — | — | 5:00 | — | — | 5:01 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 11 | 6 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 14 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | 11 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 9 | 9 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 17 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 10 | NE 10 | N 7 | NE 10 | NE 10 | S 17 | S 8 | S 15 | S 15 | S 9 |
297 | 153 | 287 | 264 | 189 | 108 | 237 | 263 | 308 | 303 | 254 | 212 | 145 | 144 | 79 | 23 | 142 | 130 | 428 | 353 | 220 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 5 | S 17 | SE 17 | ESE 16 | ESE 16 | NE 13 | N 6 | N 5 | N 5 | SE 13 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | NE 10 | N 6 | S 15 | NE 9 | S 15 | ENE 9 | SSW 10 | S 14 |
2 | 86 | 73 | 100 | 137 | 134 | 30 | 25 | 11 | 44 | 19 | 17 | 14 | 120 | 13 | 69 | 22 | 167 | 9 | 184 | 196 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 17 | ESE 17 | S 16 | E 10 | NE 10 | ESE 15 | S 10 | ESE 14 | SE 13 | S 11 | ESE 13 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | S 9 | S 14 | SE 12 | E 12 | NE 9 | N 16 | N 5 | N 9 |
29 | 57 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 121 | 49 | 71 | 46 | 20 | 33 | 15 | 15 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 14 | 5 | 5 | 6 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 4 | — | — | — | — | N 5 | N 5 | N 5 | W 3 | — | NNW 3 | N 5 | N 6 | NNW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 8 | NW 3 | NW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 |
19 | — | — | — | — | 27 | 67 | 53 | 2 | — | 3 | 40 | 154 | 253 | 297 | 229 | 280 | 2 | 16 | 10 | 10 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 34 | 34 | 34 | 16 | 16 | 34 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 34 | 34 | 34 | 34 | 527 | 460 |
Best forecast wave conditions in East Coast of Tasmania | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Friendly Beaches Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Friendly Beaches provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Friendly Beaches can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Friendly Beaches 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 (Friendly Beaches) 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 Friendly Beaches 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.
Friendly Beaches is 114 km (71 miles) from Launceston. If you plan a holiday in East Coast of Tasmania, look for hotels and other accommodation in Launceston. Launceston has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










