Surf Forecasts:
Saltwater surf forecast from 29 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 10s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 30 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 10s period, SSE swell with 339 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 30 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 10s period with SSE 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 30) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 1.2m and 8s 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 Sunday (Aug 30) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Saltwater over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the cards for us over the next couple of weeks.
We're in for a bit of a slow start, but there are a couple of bright spots to get excited about, especially if you're patient. The water temp is sitting at 65°, which is pretty much spot on for this time of year, so no wetsuit dramas.
Kicking things off on Saturday the 29th, we've got some swell from the SSE at 5ft with a 10-second period. The combined energy is moderate at 479, but the wind is cross-off from the SSE at 9 mph, keeping things clean. It's a bit on the marginal side though, so not the best to start.
Sunday the 30th is where it starts to get interesting. The morning is looking good with a clean 3ft SSE swell, 10-second period, and a light offshore breeze from the SW at 6 mph. That's a solid combo for a fun session.
Monday the 31st is the real standout early on. Glassy conditions with a SW wind of just 3 mph, and a 4ft swell from the S at 9 seconds. The combined energy is 370, moderate but clean. This is your best bet for the first few days – smooth, clean waves with a consistent feel.
After that, things drop off. From Tuesday the 1st of September through to the 8th, we've got a long stretch of poor conditions. The swell drops right down to 1ft to 2ft, and the wind is mostly onshore or cross-shore. The combined energy dips to as low as 14, so it's a real dry spell. You'd be better off leaving the boards at home for a week.
Then, on Wednesday the 9th of September, the swell starts to build again. Morning brings a 7ft SSW swell at 10 seconds, with a clean cross-off breeze from the SSW at 9 mph. That's a big jump in size, and the combined energy is up to 714 – moderate to strong. By the afternoon, it's pushing 8ft from the S at 12 seconds, with the energy jumping to 1911, which is strong. This is a big groundswell, and it's only for the experienced crew.
Thursday the 10th of September carries that size, with 7ft in the morning, but the wind is onshore from the NNE at 9 mph, so it's not going to be clean. The energy is still strong at 1187, but the wind will mess it up.
Friday the 11th of September is the next real standout. Glassy conditions with a NE wind of just 3 mph, and a 4ft swell from the S at 11 seconds. The combined energy is 430, moderate, but the clean conditions will make it a great session for everyone.
After that, it fades again into the weekend of the 12th and 13th, with small, messy waves. So, if you're planning, aim for the 31st of August or the 11th of September for the best clean fun.
Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Tue morning, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Thu morning, min 14°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | S 9 | S 8 | S 9 | S 9 | S 10 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 14 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
408 | 339 | 196 | 133 | 200 | 194 | 172 | 177 | 274 | 235 | 149 | 108 | 75 | 52 | 32 | 31 | 70 | 70 | 77 | 158 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross | cross-on |
High Tide | 8:48PM1.57m | 9:21AM1.38m | 9:24PM1.51m | 9:58AM1.43m | 10:02PM1.42m | 10:38AM1.45m | 10:45PM1.31m | 11:23AM1.45m | 11:34PM1.18m | 12:16PM1.43m | 00:36AM1.05m | 1:21PM1.41m | 1:57AM0.96m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:13AM0.06m | 3:16PM0.21m | 3:44AM0.07m | 3:59PM0.23m | 4:18AM0.11m | 4:47PM0.27m | 4:55AM0.18m | 5:42PM0.32m | 5:38AM0.26m | 6:49PM0.38m | 6:31AM0.34m | 8:12PM0.40m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | |
5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 22 | 21 | 18 | 27 | 27 | 21 | 28 | 26 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 16 |
Feels °C | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 24 | 25 | 19 | 24 | 22 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | S 9 | S 8 | S 9 | S 9 | S 10 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 14 |
26 | 339 | 196 | 133 | 200 | 194 | 153 | 177 | 274 | 235 | 149 | 108 | 75 | 52 | 32 | 30 | 70 | 70 | 77 | 158 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | S 8 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 18 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | SE 16 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | NE 5 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | NE 5 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | S 5 | S 10 |
45 | 92 | 78 | 113 | 104 | 149 | 172 | 64 | 37 | 35 | 16 | 32 | 33 | 10 | 31 | 31 | 18 | 18 | 9 | 48 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 7 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | NE 12 | N 12 | ENE 10 | NE 5 | N 11 | ENE 10 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 5 | SSE 13 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 |
1 | 39 | 25 | 14 | 29 | 27 | 26 | 14 | 6 | 3 | 33 | 7 | 2 | 31 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 17 | 17 | 17 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | S 8 | SSW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 2 | NE 4 | — | WNW 2 | NE 5 | NW 2 | WNW 3 | — | SSW 2 | — | ENE 3 | NE 3 |
408 | 205 | 127 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 27 | — | 1 | 10 | 1 | 2 | — | 1 | — | 2 | 6 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 134 | 0 | 0 | 41 | 0 | 0 | 56 | 22 | 37 | 125 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 348 | 22 |
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.











