Surf Forecasts:
Norries Head surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 7s period, ESE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 7s period, ESE swell with 337 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 7s period with ESE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Norries Head this week:
The surf forecast for Norries Head over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Norries Head in the next 16 days are 1.8m 7s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 8s period and expected on Friday (Aug 21) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Norries Head over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Norries Head (point). Water temp is sitting around 68°, which is totally normal for this time of year—nothing out of the ordinary there.
To be honest, the next ten days or so look pretty grim. We’ve got a big gap of flat, ordinary conditions until we finally see something worth getting excited about. From Wednesday 19 August right through to the end of the month, the swell is mostly small, weak, and onshore—periods are short, energy is low (values like 604 down to 50), and the wind is rarely doing us any favours. There’s a few moments where it cleans up, like Friday 21 August morning with a light cross-off breeze and clean 3ft swell from ENE, but it’s small and inconsistent. Saturday 22 August morning is similar with 3ft. Sunday 23 August morning actually goes glassy, but the swell is only 3ft and short period from ENE, so it’s barely worth paddling out. There’s nothing with any push or shape.
Then we hit a real dry spell. From Monday 24 August through to Monday 31 August, it’s mostly poor surf conditions—wind onshore or cross-on, tiny waves, and energy barely above 100. Nothing to get out of bed for.
Now, here’s the standout—and it’s a long way off, so keep an eye on it. On Tuesday 1 September, we get a proper pulse of energy: a long-period groundswell from SE at 14 seconds, with swell height around 5ft and combined energy hitting 842 (moderate to strong). The problem is, the wind is cross-on from ESE at 9 mph, so it’ll be a bit choppy. Still, it’s the biggest and most powerful swell in the whole forecast. The swell direction (SE) is not quite the optimum NE for Norries Head, but that long period will wrap in nicely. Wednesday 2 September morning is even better—the swell drops to 3ft but the period is still 13 seconds, and the wind goes glassy. That’s the pick of the whole outlook: clean, glassy conditions with a solid groundswell from SE. Energy is 480 (moderate). It’s a rare window of quality.
After that, Thursday 3 September morning has another 4ft SE swell with 12-second period, but cross-on wind holds it back. The afternoon fades again.
So, bottom line: the first week and a half is a write-off. The best surf in the whole 16 days is on Wednesday 2 September morning—glassy, clean, and a nice long-period groundswell. Tuesday 1 September is also worth a look if you can handle a bit of chop. For a spot that’s inconsistent at the best of times, this is a typical blank run, but that little window of goodness is worth waiting for.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 20°C on Sat morning, min 15°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 21°C on Tue morning, min 17°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 | SE 8 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
314 | 336 | 265 | 82 | 56 | 46 | 82 | 89 | 97 | 99 | 105 | 88 | 81 | 85 | 99 | 134 | 119 | 116 | 161 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 00:20AM0.96m | 1:49PM1.21m | 1:26AM0.85m | 3:05PM1.21m | 3:01AM0.80m | 4:16PM1.27m | 4:25AM0.83m | 5:11PM1.35m | 5:23AM0.89m | 5:54PM1.45m | 6:06AM0.97m | 6:31PM1.55m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:36AM0.34m | 8:25PM0.62m | 7:36AM0.40m | 10:07PM0.59m | 8:54AM0.42m | 11:16PM0.51m | 10:07AM0.38m | 00:01AM0.41m | 11:04AM0.31m | 00:36AM0.32m | 11:49AM0.23m | 1:08AM0.23m | |||||||
— | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:27 | — | |
mm | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 17 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 19 |
Feels °C | 17 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 | SE 8 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
196 | 336 | 265 | 82 | 56 | 46 | 82 | 89 | 97 | 99 | 105 | 88 | 81 | 85 | 99 | 134 | 119 | 116 | 161 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 6 | ESE 11 | — | NE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 9 | NE 10 | NE 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | S 10 |
60 | 24 | — | 47 | 32 | 28 | 27 | 14 | 14 | 5 | 8 | 4 | 13 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 17 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | — | — | E 8 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | E 13 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | E 8 | SE 7 | S 8 | SSE 16 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | SE 5 | SE 5 | S 16 |
6 | — | — | 57 | 36 | 29 | 3 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 24 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 5 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | N 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 4 | — | NNE 2 | N 3 |
314 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | 1 | 5 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 19 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 223 | 0 | 0 | 125 | 0 | 20 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 223 | 0 | 0 | 475 | 21 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Coast - New South Wales | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Norries Head Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Norries Head provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Norries Head can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Norries 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 (Norries 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 Norries 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.
Norries Head is 14 km (9 miles) from Banora Point. If you plan a holiday in North Coast - New South Wales, look for hotels and other accommodation in Banora Point. Banora Point has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











