Surf Forecasts:
North wall surf forecast from 28 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 11s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 30 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 8s period, SSE swell with 536 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 29 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 11s period with SSE 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 Saturday (Aug 29) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 8s. 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 2.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 30) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for North wall over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let me lay it out for you in feet, miles per hour, and Fahrenheit.
Right now, the next few days are just okay. Saturday morning, August 29th, you’ve got a 4 ft swell from the SSE with a 10-second period, combined energy at 396 (moderate), and a cross-off wind out of the south at 9 mph. It’s clean enough but nothing special. That afternoon, the swell bumps to 5 ft, energy hits 500, but the wind picks up to 12 mph and it gets messier.
Sunday the 30th is still in the mix but not crisp – morning brings 7 ft at 8 seconds and 576 energy – that short period makes it lumpy. Monday the 31st morning has 5 ft at 7 seconds and 296 energy, still short and weak. Monday afternoon goes to poor surf with a cross-shore wind.
Then we hit a real flat spell. From Tuesday morning, September 1st, through to the morning of Wednesday the 9th, it’s mostly tiny, weak, and junk. Knee-high dribble with combined energy down around 60 to 154. A brief glassy moment on the morning of the 1st (3 ft, 11-second period, 319 energy) but it fades fast. You’re looking at a good week with nothing worth paddling out for.
Now the big stuff arrives in the second week. Wednesday the 9th of September morning is the standout – 8 ft of SSE groundswell with an 11-second period, and the combined energy jumps to 1672 (very strong). That’s serious power. Offshore wind from the WSW at 9 mph keeps it clean and hollow. This is for experts only – over 8 ft is big. Thursday the 10th morning also shows 8 ft with 1440 energy and cross-off wind – still pumping but a little less clean.
The best session of the run is definitely Wednesday morning, the 9th of September. Big, powerful, offshore, and long-period groundswell. Northwall is a beach/groyne/river setup, so the long period might make it a little straight, but you’ll get barrels. Expect some crowd – it gets busy when it’s good.
Saturday the 12th of September morning drops back to 5 ft at 10 seconds, 620 energy, with near-glass conditions – cleaner and safer for the average surfer.
After that, Sunday the 13th fades into poor cross-shore chop with 4 ft at 11 seconds, and it’s done.
Water temp is about average for late August/early September – no weird anomaly. A wetsuit is still needed.
So, the word: flat and frustrating through the first week of September, then an awesome window around the 9th and 12th. Set your clock for that Wednesday morning.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri night, min 14°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Thu morning, min 15°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 6 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 11 | S 11 | S 11 | SSE 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
515 | 338 | 442 | 271 | 536 | 406 | 358 | 166 | 244 | 153 | 198 | 110 | 154 | 161 | 116 | 80 | 56 | 53 | 53 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | off | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 8:49AM1.28m | 9:01PM1.55m | 9:24AM1.34m | 9:35PM1.48m | 10:01AM1.38m | 10:12PM1.39m | 10:42AM1.42m | 10:52PM1.28m | 11:30AM1.43m | 11:38PM1.16m | 12:28PM1.43m | 00:36AM1.03m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:54AM0.21m | 2:42PM0.24m | 3:23AM0.19m | 3:23PM0.24m | 3:54AM0.20m | 4:07PM0.27m | 4:27AM0.22m | 4:56PM0.33m | 5:04AM0.26m | 5:53PM0.41m | 5:47AM0.31m | 7:03PM0.49m | |||||||
— | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | |
mm | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 23 | 21 | 20 | 26 | 24 | 22 |
Feels °C | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 23 | 20 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | S 9 | E 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 11 | S 11 | S 11 | SSE 11 | S 11 | S 10 | NNE 4 | S 10 | S 10 |
515 | 338 | 56 | 36 | 36 | 43 | 41 | 40 | 22 | 153 | 198 | 110 | 154 | 161 | 116 | 80 | 12 | 53 | 51 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | E 9 | NE 7 | NE 10 | N 10 | NE 12 | S 17 | E 9 | SSE 17 | SSE 15 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | S 10 | E 9 | ENE 10 |
55 | 54 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 24 | 96 | 93 | 73 | 71 | 70 | 70 | 67 | 44 | 56 | 45 | 30 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 11 | NE 11 | — | — | E 15 | N 15 | NE 13 | SSE 18 | E 12 | E 11 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | NE 4 | NNE 4 | NE 11 | NE 11 | E 9 | NE 10 | SE 14 |
5 | 4 | — | — | 4 | 4 | 7 | 66 | 3 | 36 | 48 | 47 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 45 | 4 | 8 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SSE 10 | SSE 6 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | — | — | E 5 | NW 3 | N 4 | NNE 4 | N 4 | N 4 | NNE 4 | N 5 |
— | — | 442 | 271 | 536 | 406 | 358 | 166 | 244 | — | — | 5 | 2 | 10 | 7 | 11 | 19 | 33 | 53 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 27 | 65 | 26 | 32 | 0 | 26 | 38 | 0 | 0 | 281 | 0 | 0 | 148 | 0 | 0 | 135 | 0 |
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 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.











