Surf Forecasts:
Hat Head surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 13s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 15s period, S swell with 770 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 26 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 7s period with NE 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 Wednesday (Aug 26) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 16s. 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 1.3m 15s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 31) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1PM (Wed 26th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Mon 31st Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Hat Head over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it. This is Rusty, and I’m looking at what we’ve got for the next couple of weeks.
Straight up, the first few days are ordinary. We’re talking Wednesday the 26th into the weekend – small, weak energy, wonky winds. The swell is around 4 to 5 ft but it’s short period, mostly around 7 seconds, and the wind’s messy. Not worth paddling out for. You’re better off waiting.
The pick of the bunch shapes up on Friday the 28th morning at Hat Head. This is when it gets good. The swell drops to 3 ft from the south with a period of 13 seconds – that’s proper groundswell energy, long lines. Wind is glassy, NNE at just 3 mph. It’ll be clean as a whistle. The combined energy is pumping at 552 (moderate wave energy), so despite the size, there’ll be plenty of push. This is a standout.
Keep an eye on Monday the 31st morning too. Again, 3 ft from the south with a massive 18-second period. That’s very long-period groundswell – it’ll wrap in nicely. Wind is light offshore from the south at 9 mph (gentle offshore and clean). Combined energy is 824 – strong stuff for the size. This could be excellent, especially if you can line up a peak.
Now, a word for the more advanced crew: Sunday the 6th of September afternoon. The swell jumps to 10 ft from the south with a short 7-second period. Wind is light from the SE at 6 mph, keeping it clean. The energy is 940 – that’s strong. This is big and raw, only for experienced surfers. At that size, with short period, it’ll be a close-out beast at the beach, but if you’re on a point or reef, it could be on.
Hat Head is a point break, inconsistent, but when it lines up with these south swells and clean offshore winds, it’s worth the wait. Crowds can be often there, so if you get a glassy morning you might have it to yourself for a bit. Water temp is about 68°F with a slight anomaly of 1°F – that’s pretty average for this time of year, nothing wild.
After that first week, there’s a long dry spell from the 1st of September through the 4th – flat, onshore, no energy. Then a little pulse again around the 6th and 7th, with some promise. The 8th has a glassy window with 5 ft but it’s short period from the NE – could be fun for a grovel. Just keep an eye on it.
Overall, the real standouts are Friday the 28th morning and Monday the 31st morning – both have clean, offshore winds, solid groundswell lines, and manageable size.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Warm (max 20°C on Wed morning, min 14°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat morning, min 14°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | S 7 | S 8 | S 9 | S 13 | S 11 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 8 | S 18 | S 17 | S 14 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 211 | 183 | 114 | 217 | 259 | 313 | 268 | 628 | 346 | 250 | 410 | 567 | 313 | 220 | 324 | 503 | 546 | 598 | 280 | 221 | 151 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 7:04PM1.53m | 7:27AM1.12m | 7:38PM1.57m | 8:02AM1.21m | 8:11PM1.58m | 8:37AM1.28m | 8:45PM1.55m | 9:12AM1.35m | 9:20PM1.49m | 9:50AM1.40m | 9:57PM1.39m | 10:31AM1.42m | 10:39PM1.27m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:32PM0.23m | 1:39AM0.16m | 1:12PM0.18m | 2:09AM0.10m | 1:50PM0.14m | 2:38AM0.06m | 2:30PM0.13m | 3:08AM0.04m | 3:10PM0.14m | 3:39AM0.04m | 3:53PM0.18m | 4:12AM0.08m | 4:41PM0.23m | ||||||||
 | |  |  |  |  | | | | |  | | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — |
 | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — |
mm | 3 | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 17 |
Feels °C | 20 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 9 | S 9 | S 11 | S 10 | SSE 10 | ENE 9 | SSE 10 | S 10 | SSE 9 | S 8 | S 18 | S 8 | S 14 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 |
| kJ | 211 | 183 | 114 | 74 | 108 | 313 | 230 | 628 | 346 | 250 | 59 | 567 | 313 | 92 | 324 | 503 | 191 | 598 | 280 | 221 | 151 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 16 | S 11 | S 15 | S 15 | ENE 8 | S 13 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 10 | ENE 9 | SSE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | E 9 | S 17 | ENE 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 |
| kJ | 16 | 19 | 10 | 4 | 17 | 73 | 268 | 40 | 53 | 57 | 4 | 43 | 102 | 54 | 47 | 41 | 546 | 40 | 75 | 71 | 68 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | S 9 | N 13 | N 13 | N 13 | S 14 | ENE 8 | S 15 | NE 11 | NE 7 | NE 11 | N 7 | ENE 8 | NE 15 | S 18 | NE 13 | E 9 | ENE 8 | S 17 | NE 12 | S 17 |
| kJ | 46 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 37 | 54 | 17 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 41 | 8 | 99 | 7 | 39 | 23 | 23 | 6 | 24 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSW 9 | S 6 | S 7 | S 8 | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 10 | — | — | S 9 | — | S 8 | — | — | — | NE 4 | NNE 5 |
| kJ | — | 25 | 77 | 217 | 259 | — | — | — | — | — | 410 | — | — | 220 | — | 273 | — | — | — | 12 | 33 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 17 | 44 | 0 | 0 | 116 | 0 | 0 | 61 | 0 | 0 | 182 | 0 | 0 | 116 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 189 | 17 |
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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