Surf Forecasts:
Saltwater surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 9s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 10s period, ESE swell with 301 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 9s period with SSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Saltwater this week:
The surf forecast for Saltwater over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 6s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Saltwater in the next 16 days are 1.3m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Saltwater over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Second text (imperial)
Alright mates, Rusty here with the lowdown on Saltwater. It’s a slow start, but there’s some solid juice comin’ our way if you can wait.
The first half of the run is mostly a write-off. Tiny swell and average wind. Saturday the 22nd morning is glassy, but the swell is a weak 2ft from the ENE, with next to no energy behind it. Not worth paddling out for.
Our first real look-in is the morning of Thursday, the 27th of August. Saltwater (a point break, fairly consistent, and exposed to swell) will see a clean 5ft south swell. The wind is light offshore from the WSW, cleanin’ things up nicely. Water temp is about average for this time of year at 66 degrees. The period is short, only 8 seconds, so expect lumpy, fat lines, but it’s surfable.
Friday the 28th morning is another clean option with a 3-4ft south swell and light cross-offshore breeze. Not a classic, but a fun wave.
Now for the serious stuff. The afternoon of Saturday the 29th of August, a powerful 8ft south swell rolls in with a wave energy of 1059. The wind is cross-offshore, so the faces will be clean, but this is big, heavy water. Keep it for the experienced crowd.
The biggest, most dangerous day is Monday the 31st of August. Early morning you’ve got a 10ft SSE groundswell, with a 12-second period and an enormous combined energy of 2108. That’s a proper, heavy, long-period pulse. At a point break like Saltwater, it’ll line up and offer some serious, holding barrels. Cross-offshore wind keeps it clean, but this is expert-only territory.
The absolute best session, no question, is Tuesday the 1st of September. The morning delivers 6ft of clean SSE groundswell (10-second period) with absolutely no wind – glassy as piss. Wave energy is a strong 737. That’s the one to wake up early for. Get on it before the afternoon onshore messes it up.
After that, it fades back to small, clean but weak surf.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Wed morning. Warm (max 21°C on Fri morning, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Mon morning, min 14°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | E 7 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | SSW 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ESE 6 | S 9 | S 10 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 7 | ENE 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
374 | 301 | 213 | 111 | 115 | 138 | 32 | 32 | 28 | 23 | 17 | 58 | 26 | 30 | 36 | 27 | 45 | 54 | 209 | 200 | 70 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | off | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 12:47PM1.31m | 00:47AM0.98m | 1:44PM1.27m | 1:52AM0.88m | 2:52PM1.25m | 3:18AM0.85m | 4:02PM1.27m | 4:38AM0.87m | 5:01PM1.33m | 5:37AM0.93m | 5:49PM1.41m | 6:22AM1.01m | 6:30PM1.49m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:16PM0.52m | 6:47AM0.41m | 8:32PM0.56m | 7:42AM0.48m | 9:55PM0.55m | 8:53AM0.51m | 11:06PM0.50m | 10:06AM0.50m | 11:56PM0.42m | 11:06AM0.45m | 00:36AM0.34m | 11:55AM0.38m | 1:11AM0.25m | ||||||||
6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | |
— | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 16 | 21 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 22 | 21 | 17 | 24 | 19 | 18 |
Feels °C | 15 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 19 | 18 | 15 | 23 | 19 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | E 7 | SE 8 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | SE 7 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | SSW 9 | S 6 | S 5 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | S 10 | S 9 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 |
374 | 301 | 213 | 111 | 37 | 65 | 32 | 8 | 28 | 23 | 17 | 25 | 16 | 14 | 29 | 21 | 45 | 28 | 85 | 102 | 70 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 8 | E 12 | E 11 | S 14 | SE 7 | SE 7 | E 9 | SE 7 | SE 7 | S 9 | ENE 6 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | S 8 | ENE 8 | SE 5 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 9 | S 10 |
29 | 22 | 11 | 9 | 4 | 19 | 8 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 15 | 26 | 30 | 36 | 23 | 7 | 17 | 32 | 15 | 18 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | — | E 12 | — | S 14 | S 13 | E 9 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SE 7 | NE 9 | S 9 | S 9 | ENE 8 | S 9 | S 15 | SSE 15 | S 10 | SE 15 | S 15 |
4 | — | 11 | — | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 14 | 25 | 27 | 18 | 23 | 16 | 9 | 4 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | — | NE 4 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | — | ENE 6 | — | — | SSW 4 | SSW 9 | — | — | — | NE 3 | NE 4 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 7 | SW 3 |
120 | — | 29 | 86 | 115 | 138 | — | 32 | — | — | 3 | 58 | — | — | — | 2 | 35 | 54 | 209 | 200 | 5 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 37 | 173 | 39 | 53 | 310 | 22 | 38 | 270 | 48 | 39 | 173 | 0 | 34 | 56 | 39 | 39 | 125 | 56 | 39 | 39 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Port Macquarie | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Saltwater Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Saltwater provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Saltwater can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Saltwater 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 (Saltwater) 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 Saltwater 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.
Saltwater is 15 km (9 miles) from Taree. If you plan a holiday in Port Macquarie, look for hotels and other accommodation in Taree. Taree has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











