
Surf Forecasts:
Manly surf forecast from 20 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 18s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 15s period, S swell with 1,788 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 22 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 10s period with ENE 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 Wednesday (Jul 22) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.7m and 4s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Manly in the next 16 days are 2.0m 15s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Manly over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let’s talk about what’s happening at Manly. It’s a point break, sheltered from the swell, and the water is at 64°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year.
The short story is: this forecast is a slow burn, and you’ll be waiting a while for anything truly worth paddling out for. For the first block of days, from the 20th through the 23rd, it’s pretty grim. The southeast swell is small and weak, with combined energy down around 132 to 102, and the wind is mostly onshore or cross, making it messy. Best to leave the board in the shed for those days.
Now, things start to look up on Friday morning, July 24th. A new south swell pushes in at 6 ft, with clean, light offshore wind from the WSW, and the combined energy jumps to 602. That’s your first real window – decent, clean waves for the intermediate surfer. The swell period is a moderate 9 seconds, so it’s not groundswell, but it’ll be fun.
The standout of the whole window, though, is Thursday afternoon, July 30th. We’ve got a solid 7 ft south swell with a 12-second period, wind from the west at 6 mph, and combined energy hitting 1290. That’s a proper groundswell pulse, and with light offshore wind, you’re looking at clean, lined-up point waves. The 7 ft size is getting into the expert range, so this is for the experienced crew. It’s a long way out, so keep an eye on it, but it’s the one to circle on the calendar.
Then, looking way out, Tuesday morning, August 4th also has a big one: 8 ft south swell, 11-second period, light offshore wind, and combined energy of 2304. That’s a serious amount of water moving, and it’s rated as excellent for experienced surfers. Again, long-range call, so not a guarantee, but it’s promising.
Outside of those two spikes, the rest of the two weeks is a mix of small, weak swell or onshore winds. The 29th of July has a glassy afternoon with 6 ft, but the period is short and energy is still high, so it might be fat and lumpy.
So, bottom line: the best of the best is Thursday afternoon, July 30th for the combo of size, direction, and clean wind. The Tuesday, August 4th morning session is a very close second if you’re an expert. The first week is mostly a write-off.
Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat morning, min 8°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Thu afternoon, light winds from the S by Fri morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | ||||||||||||||
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 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SSW 8 | S 9 | S 9 | S 15 | S 12 | S 11 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
743 | 540 | 433 | 314 | 218 | 253 | 210 | 168 | 119 | 92 | 284 | 561 | 434 | 1788 | 690 | 408 | 625 | 536 | 424 | 249 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross | cross-on | on | cross | cross-off | on | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | on | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 00:56AM1.14m | 1:52PM1.27m | 1:53AM1.01m | 2:46PM1.28m | 2:59AM0.91m | 3:41PM1.30m | 4:11AM0.87m | 4:35PM1.33m | 5:17AM0.88m | 5:25PM1.37m | 6:11AM0.91m | 6:11PM1.43m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:05PM0.46m | 7:13AM0.31m | 8:14PM0.50m | 7:56AM0.39m | 9:28PM0.50m | 8:44AM0.45m | 10:38PM0.47m | 9:39AM0.48m | 11:37PM0.42m | 10:35AM0.49m | 00:26AM0.36m | 11:28AM0.46m | 1:07AM0.30m | |||||||
— | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | |
5:06 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:09 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 18 | 16 | 13 | 17 | 16 | 14 |
Feels °C | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 3 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 14 | 13 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 15 | S 12 | S 11 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 |
743 | 540 | 433 | 314 | 218 | 253 | 210 | 168 | 119 | 92 | 45 | 561 | 434 | 1788 | 690 | 408 | 625 | 536 | 424 | 249 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 5 | S 10 | SE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 8 |
134 | 84 | 56 | 32 | 31 | 17 | 20 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 40 | 27 | 27 | 18 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 6 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 15 | SE 14 | S 16 | S 15 | S 14 | S 12 | — | — | S 10 | SE 8 | S 18 | E 7 | S 21 | — | NE 10 | S 19 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 |
9 | 8 | 19 | 17 | 4 | 11 | — | — | 8 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 35 | — | 4 | 28 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NE 3 | NE 4 | WNW 2 | — | W 3 | W 3 | SSW 5 | SSW 8 | — | — | — | W 3 | — | W 4 | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 6 | 24 | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | 15 | 284 | — | — | — | 3 | — | 7 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 18 | 1 | 2 | 163 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 35 | 8 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Sydney North Coast | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.









