Surf Forecasts:
Manly surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 13 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 9s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 9s period, S swell with 417 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 8s period with SSW 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 Thursday (Aug 13) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 13s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Manly in the next 16 days are 1.6m 9s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 1PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Manly over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let’s break down what’s happening at Manly.
Water temp is about standard for the season, nothing wild. The first week and a half is mostly flat and mediocre, with a few so-so moments but nothing worth grabbing your board for. Then, right at the end of the 16-day window, we get a proper spike of energy that’s worth marking on the calendar.
We start with a long stretch of nothing exciting. From Thursday the 13th through the following week, the surf is small and mostly messy. There’s a little pulse on the 16th and 17th, but with cross-shore winds and short-period swell, it’s choppy and unsurfable. The first real chance to get wet is Wednesday morning the 19th – glassy conditions with a light NE breeze and a tiny 4 ft swell from the east. The combined energy is weak (143), so it’s more of a longboard or beginner session. The 20th is glassy again but even smaller.
The standout window is Wednesday the 26th. That morning, look out – a solid 8 ft S swell hits with a 10-second period, clean offshore winds from the SSW, and the combined energy is a thumping 1041. That’s proper groundswell energy, and the point at Manly should be handling it well. This is the best on offer: size, direction, and clean conditions. The afternoon gets bigger – 10 ft from the south – but the wind swings cross-off and the tide might make it tricky, so keep an eye out for closeouts or fat sections. The following days drop in size but stay clean, so there’s still a chance for a few clean lines.
If you’re a beginner, be careful on the 26th morning – 8 ft is pushing it, and the afternoon at 10 ft is expert territory. The crowds at Manly are often there, so expect company on the good days.
Bottom line: it’s a slow start, then a proper winter pulse arrives on the 26th. That’s the one to aim for.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu morning, min 11°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon morning, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | ||||||||||||||
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 8 | S 8 | S 9 | S 8 | S 9 | S 8 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 7 | SSE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 6 | ESE 7 | S 11 | E 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
108 | 161 | 408 | 217 | 219 | 114 | 180 | 290 | 401 | 192 | 232 | 116 | 175 | 176 | 145 | 75 | 99 | 55 | 49 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | on |
High Tide | 8:35AM1.24m | 8:37PM1.72m | 9:18AM1.29m | 9:21PM1.64m | 10:00AM1.32m | 10:04PM1.51m | 10:41AM1.34m | 10:46PM1.36m | 11:23AM1.34m | 11:30PM1.20m | 12:07PM1.32m | 00:16AM1.05m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:34AM-0.04m | 2:14PM0.19m | 3:14AM-0.02m | 3:03PM0.19m | 3:52AM0.02m | 3:52PM0.22m | 4:28AM0.10m | 4:41PM0.28m | 5:03AM0.19m | 5:33PM0.35m | 5:38AM0.29m | 6:29PM0.42m | |||||||
— | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:25 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 4 | 1 | 4 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 5 | 1 | — | 6 |
Temp °C | 14 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 |
Feels °C | 9 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | ENE 10 | S 9 | S 8 | S 9 | S 8 | S 9 | S 9 | S 18 | S 7 | S 17 | S 7 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | E 6 | ESE 7 | E 6 | E 6 |
108 | 54 | 408 | 217 | 219 | 114 | 180 | 290 | 104 | 192 | 89 | 107 | 146 | 116 | 76 | 75 | 99 | 49 | 49 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | S 16 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | S 17 | ENE 10 | S 12 | S 17 | S 15 | SSW 13 | SE 7 | S 11 | SE 7 | SE 7 |
49 | 5 | 35 | 29 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 17 | 18 | 94 | 20 | 66 | 22 | 40 | 31 | 47 | 57 | 38 | 25 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | S 12 | S 19 | S 16 | S 18 | S 15 | S 15 | S 19 | — | ENE 10 | S 13 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | SSW 15 | — | S 8 | ENE 9 | S 11 | S 10 |
3 | 3 | 7 | 5 | 26 | 39 | 17 | 30 | — | 19 | 3 | 20 | 11 | 45 | — | 33 | 16 | 55 | 29 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 4 | S 8 | — | — | W 3 | — | — | — | S 8 | — | SSE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | — | — | — | — |
9 | 161 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 401 | — | 232 | 116 | 175 | 176 | 145 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 63 | 0 | 0 | 63 | 0 | 152 | 163 | 163 | 28 | 163 | 163 | 78 | 213 | 28 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Sydney North Coast | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.










