Surf Forecasts:
North wall surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 10s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 30 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 9s period, SE swell with 460 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 25 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s period with ENE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for North wall this week:
The surf forecast for North wall over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at North wall in the next 16 days are 1.7m 9s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 30) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Sun 30th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for North wall over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, let’s get into it. The next 16 days are a bit of a mixed bag for Northwall – we’ve got some windows of clean surf, but also plenty of time where the wind just won’t play ball. Let's break it down.
Monday the 24th shows some promise first thing. We’re looking at a clean, 2 ft SSE swell with a lazy 12-second period. The water’s sitting at about 68°, which is bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there. The combined energy is moderate (223). The wind is a light offshore from the SW, making for some tidy little waves. It’s a good session for the beginners with the small, clean surf, but it won’t be a standout for the experienced crew. The afternoon turns ugly as the wind swings onshore from the ENE, so get it done early.
Tuesday and Wednesday (25th and 26th) are pretty much write-offs for any decent surf. The wind is cross-onshore and the swell is weak and short-period. The energy is still moderate (200-177), but the conditions are just ordinary. Thursday the 27th morning offers a slight reprieve with a 5 ft S swell and cross-offshore wind keeping things clean, but the energy is back to moderate (253) with a short, weak 6-second period. The afternoon gets messy with a 5 ft SSE swell and strong cross-shore wind – this is heading into expert-only territory if you’re keen on a challenge. The energy jumps to strong (388), but the chop will be a nightmare.
Friday the 28th morning is a half-decent option. A clean 3 ft SSE swell with light cross-offshore wind. Energy is moderate (188). Again, nothing to write home about, but you can get wet. The weekend (29th-30th) is dominated by cross-shore winds and choppy conditions. Sunday the 30th afternoon sees a 5 ft SE swell with strong energy (842), but the cross-shore wind makes it a poor option for paddling – honestly, this setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Monday the 31st of August morning is looking like a genuine standout. We have glassy conditions, a 4 ft E swell and a combined energy of 219 (moderate). The wind is dead calm (glass). This is the best on offer for a beginner. Get on it early.
Tuesday the 1st of September morning is another glassy session, this time with a bigger 5 ft E swell and strong energy (402). The wind is flat calm again, and the water is still clean. This is a true standout for intermediate surfers – that bigger, longer-period energy will produce some nice lines at the beach/groyne. Afternoon sees onshore wind ruin it.
Wednesday the 2nd of September morning is the next shout. A clean 4 ft ENE swell with a light offshore from the WSW. Energy is strong (302). This is another solid window, but note the shorter period (8 seconds) – it’ll be a bit walled-up on the beach, better for a bank if it holds.
From Thursday the 3rd of September right through to the end of the forecast (8th September), the outlook turns bleak. Persistent cross-onshore winds, chop, and weak swells dominate. There’s a distinct gap of 6 days with no real, clean surf – you’re looking at poor conditions and no standout recommendations. The swell energy drops significantly into the weak range (45-86) for many of those days. It’s a tough run, but that’s the way it goes sometimes.
The standouts – Definitely Monday the 31st of August morning for the glassy, clean 4 ft E swell – perfect for beginners. For the more experienced, Tuesday the 1st of September morning offers a bigger, glassy 5 ft E swell with strong energy. That’s the one to circle on the calendar.
Stay patient out there.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 23°C on Wed morning, min 16°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat morning, min 16°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | S 10 | SSE 5 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | E 9 | SE 9 | SSE 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
87 | 99 | 131 | 125 | 140 | 153 | 134 | 123 | 75 | 144 | 215 | 204 | 117 | 94 | 339 | 90 | 136 | 139 | 162 | 440 | 132 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on |
High Tide | 6:06PM1.45m | 6:31AM0.98m | 6:44PM1.52m | 7:09AM1.06m | 7:19PM1.57m | 7:43AM1.14m | 7:53PM1.59m | 8:16AM1.21m | 8:27PM1.58m | 8:49AM1.28m | 9:01PM1.55m | 9:24AM1.34m | 9:35PM1.48m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:59AM0.50m | 00:58AM0.46m | 11:55AM0.45m | 1:29AM0.37m | 12:41PM0.38m | 1:58AM0.30m | 1:23PM0.32m | 2:26AM0.24m | 2:03PM0.27m | 2:54AM0.21m | 2:42PM0.24m | 3:23AM0.19m | 3:23PM0.24m | 3:54AM0.20m | |||||||
6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | |
— | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:29 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 23 | 22 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 |
Feels °C | 17 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 23 | 21 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | SSE 10 | E 8 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | E 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 |
74 | 99 | 131 | 125 | 140 | 153 | 134 | 123 | 75 | 94 | 149 | 204 | 117 | 94 | 263 | 52 | 136 | 139 | 162 | 237 | 132 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 7 | S 8 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | S 10 | S 10 | NE 7 | NE 7 | S 16 | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | SSE 11 | ENE 8 | NE 10 | SSE 10 | E 9 | NE 13 |
62 | 46 | 77 | 74 | 51 | 19 | 17 | 7 | 24 | 13 | 5 | 100 | 43 | 63 | 50 | 65 | 55 | 4 | 100 | 165 | 7 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 12 | S 11 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 | S 16 | SSE 16 | S 16 | S 16 | NE 10 | S 16 | SSE 16 | NE 8 | SSE 13 | NE 7 | NNE 7 | NE 10 | NE 10 | E 15 | N 12 | E 13 |
87 | 89 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 20 | 26 | 20 | 5 | 15 | 19 | 24 | 28 | 57 | 13 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NE 4 | — | NNE 4 | N 4 | — | N 5 | S 3 | S 6 | SSE 7 | — | — | — | S 10 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | ESE 6 | SSE 6 | SE 9 | E 6 |
— | — | 9 | — | 10 | 28 | — | 11 | 7 | 144 | 215 | — | — | — | 339 | 90 | 71 | 97 | 110 | 440 | 132 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 27 | 0 | 1 | 452 | 135 | 0 | 8 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Coast - New South Wales | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the North wall Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for North wall provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at North wall can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our North wall 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 (North wall) 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 North wall 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.
North wall is 3 km (2 miles) from Ballina. If you plan a holiday in North Coast - New South Wales, look for hotels and other accommodation in Ballina. Ballina has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











