Surf Forecasts:
Manly surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 11s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 12s period, S swell with 517 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 11s period with S swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Manly this week:
The surf forecast for Manly over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 0.7m and 4s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Manly in the next 16 days are 1.4m 12s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 6s period and expected on Friday (Aug 21) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Manly over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, grab your wettie, let’s have a look at the next couple of weeks at Manly. This is a sheltered point break that’s best for the beginner crew, and it’s a spot that needs the right swell direction to really light up.
Right now, we are looking at a serious lull. For the next few days on Friday (Aug 21) and Saturday (Aug 22), forget it – tiny, messy, and just not worth paddling for. The energy levels are weak, with the combined swell energy only sitting at 65 and then dropping to 22 on Saturday. It’s a flat spell, simple as that.
That glassy window on Sunday morning (Aug 23) is the first real flicker of hope. We’ve got 5ft of south swell rolling in with a long 10-second period. The wind is dead calm, glassy smooth. The combined energy climbs to a moderate 394. The water is sitting at 63°, which is about average for this time of year. This is a real chance for some clean, fun waves even if they’re not spectacular. The south direction isn’t the optimum SE for Manly, but the conditions will make it look better than it is.
Then we hit another stretch of poor, choppy conditions through the week. The winds go onshore, the swell stays small or gets chopped up. It’s ugly from Monday the 24th through Wednesday the 26th. The period is short, around 6-8 seconds, and the energy stays moderate but the quality is zero.
Thursday morning (Aug 27) is the real standout. It’s everything you want. The swell is solid at 4ft from the south with that 10-second period, but the magic is the wind. It’s a glassy WSW, dead still. The combined swell energy hits a strong 474. The forecast is calling for “expect good surf conditions,” and that’s the only time you’ll see a clean score in this run. This is the session to target. Get out there. It’s a point break, so that south swell will wrap in nicely and the lack of wind will make it clean as a whistle.
The next week is a mixed bag. It’s either too windy, too small, or choppy. The energy drops back down, and the runs are short and weak. The only other faint pulse of size is on Saturday morning (Sep 5). That one has a 5ft south swell with the combined energy jumping to a strong 644. That’s plenty of water moving. But the wind is light from the NW, and the report says “marginal surf forecast.” The period is 10 seconds, so it's a solid groundswell. It could be worth a look for a bigger-boat session, but that size (over 5ft) is getting a bit of a push for the mellow learners’ crowd. The crowds here can be a thing so don't be surprised if you’ve got company.
So, in a nutshell… don’t bother this weekend. That Thursday morning (Aug 27) is your golden, glassy ticket. The following Saturday (Sep 5) is promising but less certain, with some real size on offer.
Stay salty,
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 21°C on Fri morning, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Warm (max 22°C on Tue morning, min 11°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | SSW 8 | NE 6 | S 10 | S 13 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | NE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 8 | S 10 | S 9 | S 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
62 | 39 | 18 | 9 | 22 | 9 | 361 | 222 | 247 | 165 | 128 | 96 | 94 | 123 | 151 | 217 | 217 | 195 | 340 | 209 | 515 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | glassy | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 7:07AM1.06m | 7:05PM1.51m | 7:42AM1.14m | 7:41PM1.53m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 12:39PM0.37m | 1:44AM0.17m | 1:19PM0.32m | 2:15AM0.13m | ||||||||
6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | |
— | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 21 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 22 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
Feels °C | 19 | 18 | 14 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 19 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | SSW 8 | NE 6 | S 10 | S 8 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | ENE 6 | S 10 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 8 | S 10 | S 9 | S 11 |
62 | 39 | 18 | 9 | 22 | 9 | 361 | 157 | 247 | 165 | 128 | 65 | 45 | 123 | 151 | 217 | 217 | 195 | 340 | 209 | 515 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | SE 7 | N 4 | SSW 6 | NE 6 | S 4 | NE 6 | S 13 | NE 8 | NE 8 | S 17 | S 10 | ENE 9 | S 10 | S 9 | S 11 | S 11 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
2 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 9 | 2 | 9 | 222 | 18 | 10 | 22 | 68 | 32 | 28 | 15 | 9 | 9 | 165 | 134 | 147 | 120 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | E 9 | S 4 | S 18 | E 14 | E 14 | S 17 | E 13 | NE 9 | S 16 | S 15 | S 12 | S 15 | S 14 | — | — | S 12 | — |
— | 2 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 24 | 4 | 4 | 22 | 3 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 12 | 19 | 4 | — | — | 102 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 2 | N 3 | W 3 | — | — | SE 3 | — | NE 9 | NE 4 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NNW 3 | NW 3 | WNW 3 | S 3 | — | — | — | — |
1 | 5 | 3 | — | — | 3 | — | 38 | 17 | 50 | 107 | 96 | 94 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 8 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 3 | 195 | 270 | 314 | 38 | 0 | 10 | 3 | 6 | 503 | 2 | 10 | 10 | 18 | 0 | 32 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Sydney North Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Manly Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Manly provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Manly can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Manly 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 (Manly) 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 Manly 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.
Manly is 6 km (4 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.










