Surf Forecasts:
Hat Head surf forecast from 16 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 17 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 11s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 11s period, S swell with 3,181 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 17 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 11s 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 17) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 4.0m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 13s. 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 4.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) 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 1.3m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 22) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Hat Head over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright mates, Rusty here. Let’s talk about the next 16 days at Hat Head. The water’s running about 70°F, a touch warmer than usual for this time of year – not a bad thing at all.
We start on Wednesday the 16th with a solid 10-foot south swell, period around 9 seconds, and a 19 mph offshore wind. It’s clean but heavy – combined energy is 1425 (moderate to strong). Not for the faint-hearted. Afternoon jumps to 12 feet, same direction, winds a bit stronger. Strictly for the experienced.
Thursday the 17th is the best day of the whole run. Morning has 10-foot south swell with an 11-second period and a 16 mph offshore breeze – combined energy hits 2207 (strong). But the afternoon is the winner: still 10-foot south swell, 10-second period, and a lighter 12 mph offshore wind. Combined energy cranks to 3668 (very strong). It’s clean, powerful, and properly lined up. If you’re an experienced surfer, this is your session.
Friday the 18th drops to 5 feet, glassy in the morning, but combined energy is only 450 – weak. The afternoon goes cross-onshore and turns to junk. Then we hit a big gap.
Saturday the 19th has tiny 2-foot swell from the south with a 17-second period – super long period, but combined energy is only 449. Glassy morning, okay for a longboard. Sunday the 20th is onshore and poor. Monday the 21st is 2-foot, 18-second period, glassy morning – weak (energy 328).
Tuesday the 22nd sees a pulse: 6-foot SSE swell with a 7-second period, cross-offshore wind, combined energy 543 (moderate). Clean enough for a shortboard, but the wind is side-off.
From Wednesday the 23rd through to October 1st, it’s mostly poor. Onshore winds, short-period east and northeast swells. By the 27th, we get a 8-foot NE swell with a 7-second period and onshore wind – combined energy 623, but it’s a messy, choppy mess.
The standout is clear: Thursday the 17th afternoon at Hat Head – 10-foot south swell, offshore wind, and massive energy. Everything else is either tiny or blown out.
– Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri morning, min 12°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Wed afternoon, calm by Fri morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Mon night. Warm (max 26°C on Mon morning, min 18°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | Tuesday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | S 10 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SSE 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 10 | S 17 | S 17 | S 10 | S 11 | S 11 | S 19 | S 18 | S 13 | S 13 | SSE 7 | SSE 9 | SSE 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1399 | 2442 | 3181 | 2193 | 2086 | 807 | 318 | 224 | 312 | 210 | 209 | 172 | 143 | 185 | 562 | 216 | 206 | 260 | 265 | 328 | 379 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross | on | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:08AM1.39m | 11:16PM0.98m | 11:54AM1.32m | 00:04AM0.87m | 12:52PM1.25m | 1:12AM0.80m | 2:04PM1.21m | 2:45AM0.78m | 3:19PM1.22m | 4:06AM0.83m | 4:21PM1.27m | 5:02AM0.92m | 5:09PM1.35m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:38PM0.37m | 5:06AM0.33m | 6:37PM0.45m | 5:49AM0.41m | 7:53PM0.51m | 6:48AM0.47m | 9:18PM0.50m | 8:09AM0.50m | 10:27PM0.45m | 9:30AM0.48m | 11:14PM0.37m | 10:33AM0.41m | 11:51PM0.28m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | |
 | 5:46 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — |
 | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — |
mm | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
Temp °C | 17 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 15 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 26 | 23 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
Feels °C | 10 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 13 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 24 | 21 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 6 | ENE 13 | ENE 13 | NE 13 | S 10 | SSE 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 10 | S 11 | S 11 | S 19 | S 11 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | SSE 9 | SSE 11 |
| kJ | 9 | 18 | 17 | 7 | 1568 | 807 | 318 | 224 | 312 | 175 | 171 | 172 | 143 | 185 | 562 | 112 | 206 | 260 | 225 | 328 | 379 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 14 | — | — | NE 13 | NE 13 | NE 12 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 9 | SE 8 | S 17 | S 14 | S 17 | S 19 | NNE 5 | S 18 | NE 5 | NE 5 | S 17 | S 12 | S 19 |
| kJ | 20 | — | — | 7 | 7 | 6 | 125 | 114 | 112 | 64 | 209 | 65 | 52 | 116 | 26 | 216 | 12 | 3 | 53 | 175 | 184 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 17 | — | — | — | NE 13 | N 16 | S 19 | S 19 | S 17 | S 17 | SE 8 | SE 8 | NE 8 | E 11 | S 9 | NNE 5 | S 17 | E 11 | NNE 5 | S 18 | SSW 7 |
| kJ | 6 | — | — | — | 7 | 5 | 7 | 62 | 147 | 210 | 41 | 15 | 3 | 2 | 101 | 17 | 91 | 2 | 3 | 158 | 18 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 10 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | — | — | — | N 3 | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | N 5 | — | — | SSW 2 | SSE 7 | — | SE 6 |
| kJ | 1399 | 2442 | 3181 | 2193 | 2086 | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | 8 | 49 | — | — | 1 | 265 | — | 172 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 519 | 1071 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 172 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 49 | 321 | 17 | 0 | 61 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Port Macquarie | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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