
Surf Forecasts:
Saltwater surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 13 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 9s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 9s period, S swell with 575 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 12 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 10s 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 Wednesday (Aug 12) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 9s. 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 1.9m 9s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 13) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4PM (Wed 12th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Saltwater over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty, and I’ve been staring at the charts for your local stretch. The next 16 days have a bit of a slow start, but there’s a proper late-summer pulse building that’s got my heart racing. Let’s walk through it.
The first proper surf we’re looking at kicks off Wednesday morning the 12th. Saltwater (point) is the only show in town, and it’s a solid, reliable little point break. Water temp is sitting at 66°F, which is about where it should be for this time of year – nothing unusual.
Wednesday morning, the 12th, the swell is around 4ft from the S with a 10-second period. The combined energy is moderate (438). Wind is light out of the WNW at 3 mph, which is a clean cross-off. It’s a good, clean start to the run. That afternoon, the swell drops a touch to 4ft, still from the S, but the wind picks up a little, still cross-off. It’s still surfable, but the morning is the cleaner window.
Thursday the 13th, morning has a solid 4ft from the SSW with a shorter 8-second period, but the wind is clean offshore from the SW at 12 mph. That’s a good combo for a point break. The energy is moderate (280). Thursday afternoon turns a bit questionable with a shorter 7-second period and cross-off wind, so morning is the pick.
Now, Friday the 14th is where things start to get interesting. Morning has a clean 5ft from the S with an 8-second period, and the wind is light offshore from the SW at 6 mph. The combined energy jumps to 535 – that’s a solid moderate push. The conditions are looking very good. This is a standout morning.
Saturday the 15th, morning keeps the quality with 5ft from the S, 8-second period, and a light cross-off breeze from the SSW. Energy is strong at 548. The afternoon fades with a shift to a shorter period and cross-off wind, so again, the morning is the go.
Sunday the 16th, morning has a clean 5ft from the S, 7-second period, with a gentle offshore wind from the SSW. It’s a nice, clean session. The afternoon brings heavy rain and a crummy cross-off, so get out early.
Monday the 17th and Tuesday the 18th are a write-off. The swell turns onshore from the ESE, with messy cross-shore winds and rain. The conditions are poor. This is a solid two-day gap in the action.
Wednesday the 19th, the swell drops to 4ft from the ESE, but the wind goes light offshore from the WSW in the morning, so it’s surfable but ordinary. Thursday the 20th, the morning is glassy with a tiny 3ft from the E, but the afternoon gets wrecked by a cross-onshore. Friday the 21st and Saturday the 22nd are small – 3ft to 3ft – with clean conditions in the mornings, but it’s not going to get your heart pumping.
Then, hold onto your board. Thursday the 27th, a serious pulse arrives. The morning has a chunky 12ft from the S with a 10-second period, and the combined energy is a massive 3663. The wind is light offshore from the WSW. This is a big, powerful, clean swell. At 12ft, this is for experienced surfers only – it’s too big for beginners. The afternoon still has a solid 8ft from the S, with good energy (1329), but the wind goes cross-off. The morning of the 27th is the absolute standout of the entire 16-day outlook. It’s a long way out, so keep your fingers crossed, but the potential is unreal.
So, overall: the best on offer is Friday morning the 14th for a clean, fun day, and the big prize is Thursday morning the 27th for the experienced crew. Crowds are possible at Saltwater, but it’s a point break, so it handles a few people. The longer period swells (10 seconds) will give the point some nice lines.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed morning, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 45mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat morning, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SSW 8 | S 7 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 7 | S 8 | S 7 | S 7 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 7 | E 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
367 | 230 | 101 | 212 | 183 | 408 | 309 | 169 | 305 | 294 | 197 | 259 | 189 | 111 | 416 | 278 | 270 | 154 | 142 | 171 | 158 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:50PM1.83m | 8:28AM1.25m | 8:35PM1.80m | 9:11AM1.31m | 9:17PM1.72m | 9:53AM1.35m | 9:57PM1.58m | 10:34AM1.38m | 10:36PM1.42m | 11:15AM1.37m | 11:16PM1.26m | 11:59AM1.35m | 11:58PM1.10m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:19PM0.16m | 2:32AM-0.03m | 2:08PM0.13m | 3:11AM-0.03m | 2:56PM0.14m | 3:48AM0.00m | 3:43PM0.19m | 4:22AM0.06m | 4:31PM0.26m | 4:56AM0.14m | 5:20PM0.35m | 5:29AM0.23m | 6:13PM0.44m | ||||||||
6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | |
— | 5:20 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | 5 | 17 | 8 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
Temp °C | 19 | 19 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 |
Feels °C | 16 | 15 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 9 | S 8 | ENE 9 | S 8 | SSE 8 | ENE 10 | S 8 | S 7 | ESE 5 | S 13 | S 8 | S 9 | SSE 7 | E 7 | E 7 | ESE 7 |
367 | 230 | 101 | 50 | 29 | 408 | 190 | 29 | 195 | 196 | 18 | 259 | 97 | 15 | 90 | 74 | 58 | 91 | 142 | 92 | 158 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | S 21 | S 16 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SSE 18 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | SSE 19 | SSE 18 | SE 5 | SSE 16 | — | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | S 9 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | S 8 |
71 | 66 | 54 | 9 | 5 | 29 | 29 | 61 | 29 | 30 | 72 | 102 | 23 | 82 | — | 25 | 22 | 38 | 75 | 67 | 21 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | S 18 | S 21 | S 20 | S 18 | S 19 | N 10 | SSE 16 | S 19 | S 14 | ENE 10 | SSE 16 | ENE 10 | — | ENE 9 | — | — | S 9 | S 8 | SE 10 |
9 | 9 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 49 | 28 | 16 | 18 | 90 | 19 | — | 26 | — | — | 39 | 21 | 25 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | WSW 4 | SSW 8 | S 7 | — | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 7 | — | S 7 | S 7 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 7 | — | ESE 7 | — |
— | — | 20 | 212 | 183 | — | 309 | 169 | 305 | 294 | 197 | — | 189 | 111 | 416 | 278 | 270 | 154 | — | 171 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 297 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 169 | 0 | 0 | 86 | 48 | 166 | 388 | 388 | 116 | 116 | 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.











