Hat Head Surf Break

Lat Long: 31.05° S 153.06° E

Hat Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 am 10 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Hat Head sea temperature is
20.5°C
0.7° 

Hat Head surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Hat Head surf forecast from 10 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 10 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 10s period, S swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 11 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 11s period, S swell with 1,520 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 10 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 10s period with S swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Hat Head this week:

The surf forecast for Hat Head over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 23s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Hat Head in the next 16 days are 2.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 11) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Thu 10th Sep)7ft (2.2m) 10s
Best Surf 7PM (Thu 10th Sep)7ft (2.2m) 10s
Most Powerful 1AM (Fri 11th Sep)8ft (2.5m) 11s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Hat Head over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. Look, we’re in for a real mixed bag at Hat Head, and if you’re keen, you’ll need to pick your moments. The water’s sitting at a pretty comfortable 69°F, which is about average for this time of year, so nothing weird going on there.

The best surf on offer in the whole run is early Friday morning, September 11th. We’ve got a solid 7ft S swell rolling in with a 10-second period and a nice offshore breeze from the SSW at 9 mph. The combined energy is strong at 1035, and this is a proper point break that handles that southerly direction well. Conditions will be clean and lined up – this is the standout for experienced surfers.

Thursday the 10th is a bit of a write-off – we’ve got 10ft S swell with a cross-off shore wind making it messy and marginal. Too much size and not enough quality.

Friday afternoon the 11th drops to 6ft from the SSE, still clean but a little less punch.

Saturday morning the 12th sees the swell drop to 4ft from the SSE with a light offshore, but the energy is moderate (443) and the waves will be small but workable.

Then we hit a dead run. From Sunday the 13th all the way through to Tuesday the 15th, the wind goes onshore and the swell fades to nothing – mostly flat or blown-out junk. That’s about three days of nothing.

Wednesday the 16th brings a pulse back: 6ft SSE swell with a short 7-second period, so it’ll be a bit bumpy and weak, but the cross-off wind keeps it clean enough for a surf.

Now, look ahead to Saturday, September 19th – we’ve got a massive 12ft S swell with a 12-second period and the combined energy is absolutely pumping at 4691. But here’s the catch: the wind is howling onshore from the NNE at 16 mph. That’s a messy, dangerous beast – only for the best of the best and even then, it’s a battle. Not really a surfer’s friend.

Sunday the 20th is still big at 8ft SSE, but the onshore wind ruins it.

The next real chance comes Monday, September 21st: 5ft SSE swell, light cross-off breeze, clean conditions, and moderate energy (506). That’s a good, fun session for the morning.

After that, the swell fades again through the 22nd to the 25th, with mostly onshore winds and small, poor surf. Not much to get excited about.

So to wrap it up: Friday the 11th is your pick of the whole 16-day window – solid 7ft S groundswell, clean offshore wind, and a point break that will hold it well. The other real option is Monday the 21st for a cleaner, smaller session. Everything else is either blown out, too small, or too big and messy.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat morning, min 14°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Tue night. Warm (max 21°C on Tue morning, min 15°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
4
4
3
3
2
2
3
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
3
2
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
S
10
2.5
SSE
10
2.5
S
11
2
S
10
1.9
SSE
10
1.6
SSE
10
1.3
SSE
9
1.3
SSE
10
1.2
SSE
11
1.1
SSE
10
1
SSE
11
0.9
S
11
0.8
S
12
0.8
S
12
0.6
S
11
0.5
S
10
0.4
SSE
10
0.6
S
10
1.9
SSE
7
1.8
SSE
8
1.3
S
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1586
1270
1520
865
725
492
308
335
370
255
278
191
184
171
85
52
31
67
356
368
295
Wind (km/h)
20
S
20
S
15
SW
15
SSW
10
SSE
5
SW
5
SSW
10
ESE
5
NW
10
NNE
20
NE
10
N
15
NNE
25
NNE
15
N
10
N
10
SSE
15
S
15
SE
10
SE
0
ENE
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
off
cross
glassy
on
on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
High Tide
7:27PM1.67m
7:55AM1.35m
8:08PM1.62m
8:34AM1.43m
8:46PM1.52m
9:12AM1.47m
9:23PM1.39m
9:49AM1.47m
10:00PM1.25m
10:27AM1.44m
10:37PM1.11m
11:08AM1.39m
11:16PM0.98m
Low Tide
1:05PM0.08m
1:55AM-0.01m
1:51PM0.05m
2:29AM-0.01m
2:36PM0.06m
3:00AM0.03m
3:19PM0.11m
3:30AM0.09m
4:03PM0.18m
4:00AM0.16m
4:49PM0.27m
4:31AM0.24m
5:38PM0.37m
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
thunderstorm
light rain
cloud
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:54
5:52
5:50
5:50
5:48
5:47
5:46
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:36
5:37
5:37
5:37
5:37
5:38
5:38
 mm
1
2
1
2
14
3
Temp °C
17
17
15
17
17
17
18
18
17
19
18
18
19
19
18
21
20
18
17
17
16
Feels °C
12
12
11
15
16
16
16
16
17
16
15
16
17
15
15
19
19
17
15
16
15
  • 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 Hat Head Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Hat Head provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Hat Head can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Hat Head 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 (Hat Head) 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 Hat Head 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.

Are you planning a holiday in Port Macquarie? If you are looking for accommodation near Hat Head, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Port Macquarie, consider staying in North Shore which is 42 km (26 miles) away. Other places in and around Port Macquarie where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Port Macquarie which is 45 km (28 miles) away and Coffs Harbour, 83 km (52 miles) away.

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