
Surf Forecasts:
Saltwater surf forecast from 30 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 30 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 10s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 2 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 13s period, SSE swell with 1,134 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 30 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 11s period with S 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 Thursday (Jul 30) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 6s. 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 1.8m 13s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 02) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1PM (Thu 30th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Thu 30th Jul) | 7ft (2.1m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Saltwater over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what we’ve got cookin’ at Saltwater over the next couple of weeks. This is a point break that’s exposed to the south-east swell direction, and it’s fairly consistent, so there’s plenty to get excited about, but we need to pick our moments. The water’s sittin’ at 66°F, which is bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
We’re looking at a solid run starting Thursday the 30th of July. Thursday morning is clean with a light offshore breeze from the WSW and a 5ft south swell pushing through, period at 11 seconds – that’s a nice groundswell pulse. The energy reads moderate at 658, and it’s set up for very good surf. The afternoon gets a bit lumpier with a cross-off wind, but still a decent 8ft S swell, though energy jumps to strong at 1859. It’s worth being out there early.
Friday the 31st keeps the good times rolling. Morning glass with a SW offshore, 6ft at 10 seconds from the south, moderate energy at 635. Afternoon sees a slight shift with a 15 km/h SSE cross-off, but the swell holds steady. Plenty of fun to be had.
Saturday the 1st of August is a little cloudier, but still offering up 5-6ft swell with light cross-off winds. The morning is okay, but the afternoon looks better with a light breeze and a 6ft SSE swell. Solid, but not a standout.
Now, Sunday the 2nd of August – this is where we pay attention. Morning is glassy with a 6ft SSE swell that’s got a long 12-second period, energy at 1013. That’s a groundswell with proper grunt, and on a point break like this, it’s going to line up beautifully. For experienced surfers, this is excellent. Just keep an eye out – crowds are often here, so get in early.
Monday and Tuesday (3rd and 4th of August) drop off. Swell goes small and the winds turn cross-on or onshore. Tuesday afternoon sees a weak 1ft SSE swell with only 71 energy. That’s a gap in the action. A couple of quiet days.
Wednesday the 5th of August starts to build again. Morning sees a clean 4ft S swell, cross-off wind, energy at 324. It’s good, not great. The afternoon gets messy with a cross-shore wind.
The pattern holds through Thursday the 6th and Friday the 7th – small, ordinary waves. Friday morning has a moderate offshore wind but only 3ft and 116 energy.
Saturday the 8th of August brings a bit of a pulse. Morning is okay, but the afternoon gets good with a 4ft S swell and a steady 20 km/h offshore wind, energy jumping to 500. The wind is clean, waves are shaped, and it’s looking very good for a session.
Sunday the 9th is clean in the morning with a 4ft SSE swell but the afternoon gets a crossing wind. Not a write-off, but not the best.
Here’s a standout in the second week – Monday the 10th of August. Morning is glassy, 5ft from the south-east, 10 seconds, energy at 544. That’s a proper clean morning with the wind barely there. This spot will be smiling.
Tuesday the 11th of August is another big one for experienced surfers. An 8ft SE groundswell with an 11-second period and a gentle offshore wind – energy at 1479. That’s strong. The afternoon holds at 8ft with a moderate offshore. This is serious size for the point, and if it’s not walling up too fast, it’ll be a ripper. Only for those who know what they’re doing.
Wednesday the 12th keeps the solid 8ft SSE swell going, clean cross-off winds through the morning and an offshore in the afternoon. Excellent conditions for the crew who can handle it.
Thursday the 13th drops back a little. 5ft SSE swell, cross-off wind in the morning, but the energy is moderate. Still surfable.
Friday the 14th of August – last call of the outlook. Solid 8ft S swell, period only 8 seconds, but energy is pumping at 1760. Light cross-off in the morning, offshore and glassy in the afternoon. It’s a big, powerful, clean finish to the window. Another one for the experienced surfers.
So bottom line: the best on offer is Sunday morning the 2nd of August for that glassy, long-period SSE swell, and Monday the 10th of August for the same magic with glassy winds. If you want size, Tuesday the 11th and Wednesday the 12th are your expert days, but they come with a caveat – it’s big. The middle of the first week has a couple of flat days, so don’t get caught out. Get on it early.
Stay stoked.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri morning, min 11°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Mon morning, min 9°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | |||||||||||||||
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 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 11 | SSE 10 | SSW 7 | S 8 | S 10 | S 9 | S 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
652 | 1119 | 262 | 627 | 569 | 646 | 479 | 497 | 385 | 1000 | 902 | 650 | 341 | 302 | 134 | 38 | 60 | 72 | 299 | 287 | 470 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:43PM1.64m | 9:16AM1.15m | 9:16PM1.62m | 9:53AM1.20m | 9:50PM1.57m | 10:31AM1.24m | 10:25PM1.50m | 11:12AM1.27m | 11:03PM1.40m | 11:57AM1.30m | 11:48PM1.28m | 12:48PM1.33m | 00:44AM1.16m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:14PM0.27m | 3:23AM0.13m | 2:52PM0.27m | 3:53AM0.10m | 3:31PM0.30m | 4:25AM0.10m | 4:12PM0.33m | 4:57AM0.11m | 4:59PM0.37m | 5:33AM0.14m | 5:52PM0.42m | 6:14AM0.19m | 6:57PM0.46m | ||||||||
6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
— | 5:10 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 21 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 13 |
Feels °C | 11 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 19 | 17 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 8 | 13 | 12 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 10 | ENE 7 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 11 | SSW 6 | SSE 10 | S 8 | S 10 | S 9 | S 10 |
652 | 736 | 262 | 627 | 5 | 646 | 479 | 497 | 385 | 1000 | 902 | 650 | 341 | 302 | 134 | 22 | 18 | 72 | 299 | 287 | 470 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 6 | NE 6 | SSE 12 | ENE 7 | E 13 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | SE 15 | SE 14 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 21 | NE 7 | NE 10 | NE 4 | SSE 10 | ESE 7 | S 12 | ENE 10 | E 9 | ENE 9 |
3 | 1 | 224 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 56 | 350 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 38 | 10 | 25 | 20 | 28 | 26 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 12 | E 13 | ENE 6 | E 13 | — | E 13 | E 12 | NE 6 | NE 9 | E 17 | S 22 | E 16 | E 16 | E 15 | NE 9 | ESE 8 | NE 9 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 18 | E 18 |
3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | — | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 11 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 10 | — | — | S 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 4 | N 4 | NE 4 | W 2 | SW 6 | SSW 7 | — | — | — | — |
— | 1119 | — | — | 569 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 7 | 16 | 1 | 112 | 60 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 169 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 173 | 22 | 37 | 34 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Port Macquarie | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.










