Saltwater Surf Break

Lat Long: 32.01° S 152.57° E

Saltwater Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 am 17 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Saltwater sea temperature is
18.6° C
0.3° 

Saltwater surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Saltwater surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 7s period, ESE swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 10s period, ESE swell with 327 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 7s period with ESE 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 Tuesday (Aug 18) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 11s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy 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 10AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Tue 18th Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 7s
Best Surf 4AM (Tue 18th Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 7s
Most Powerful10AM (Wed 19th Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 10s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Saltwater over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk about what's happening at Saltwater.

This is a bit of a mixed bag to start. We've got some small, workable waves early on, then a real quiet spell before a promising run of cleaner conditions kicks in for the tail end of the outlook. The main story is that the best surf is gonna be later on, so don't get too antsy if the first week looks a bit weedy.

Let's kick things off with Monday the 17th. The morning's not bad at all. We're looking at a chest-high 5ft swell coming from the ESE with a short 7-second period, so it'll be a bit jumbled, but that morning cross-off wind from the SSE is ripping, keeping the surface clean. The water temp is sitting at 66°F, which is about normal for this time of year. Afternoon on Monday is a write-off though, with that onshore breeze making a mess of things.

Now, the real standout window starts on Tuesday the 18th. We've got Tuesday morning with a drop to 4ft but it's glassy. *Glassy*. That's a major positive and the cleanest you'll find in this first stretch. The swell is still short period, but when it's that clean, you'll find a few.

Wednesday the 19th morning is another glassy session with 4ft and a much nicer 10-second period, offering way better shaped waves. That's your best bet for the first few days. But after Wednesday afternoon, things go flat. We're looking at a gap from Thursday the 20th all the way through to the morning of Monday the 24th with very little to offer.

Then we get a solid pulse of energy on Monday the 24th. The morning sees a 1ft swell but with a very long 19-second period, and a clean offshore wind from the SW. The combined energy is ticking up to 223 (moderate energy). That's a groundswell, and it'll be a bit inconsistent, but it'll have proper shape and push. The afternoon of Monday the 24th is where it gets really interesting. We've got 2ft, that 19-second groundswell, and it's glassy again, with combined energy jumping to 427 (moderate energy). That's the best session on offer. For a point break, that long period groundswell is going to line up perfectly. Expect long lulls but then sets that wrap in with real purpose.

After that, the window stays open but gets breezier. Tuesday the 25th and Wednesday the 26th mornings have moderate offshore winds from the SW, keeping things clean but the swell is a bit smaller. Thursday the 27th morning looks good with a 3ft SSE swell, 10-second period, and a light cross-off breeze.

Friday the 28th morning is another glassy stand-out with a 4ft NE swell – that's a good winter swell for here, and the wind will be dead calm. It'll be consistent and clean, a great day for anyone. The 29th morning is also glassy with similar sized NE swell.

So, to wrap it up: if you want to get wet this week, hit Wednesday the 19th morning for quality, or wait for the magic window on Monday the 24th afternoon for that long-period glass. Friday the 28th morning is also a solid, clean option for the second week.

- Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Mon night. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon morning, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Thu morning, min 14°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
17
Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
2
0
2
2
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
ESE
7
1.5
ESE
7
1.3
ESE
7
1.3
ESE
8
1.3
ESE
8
1
ESE
8
1.3
ESE
10
1.2
ESE
10
1.1
ESE
9
1
ESE
7
0.9
ENE
6
1.1
NE
6
0.6
ENE
6
0.5
ENE
6
1
NE
6
0.6
ENE
6
0.5
NE
6
0.6
ENE
7
0.6
ENE
9
0.4
SSE
15
0.6
ENE
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
178
204
183
193
198
140
327
275
194
96
64
90
29
22
71
25
19
30
57
74
52
Wind (km/h)
10
SE
15
ESE
10
E
5
ESE
10
E
10
W
5
W
15
ENE
10
NNW
10
NNE
20
NE
5
NW
5
NW
10
E
5
NNW
5
SW
15
SSE
5
W
10
NNE
15
ENE
5
WNW
Wind State
cross
cross
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross
glassy
cross-on
glassy
glassy
cross-off
glassy
on
on
cross-off
High Tide
11:15AM1.37m
11:16PM1.26m
11:59AM1.35m
11:58PM1.10m
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
Low Tide
5:20PM0.35m
5:29AM0.23m
6:13PM0.44m
6:05AM0.33m
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
cloud
rain showers
light rain
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:24
6:22
6:22
6:20
6:20
6:18
6:18
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:22
5:22
5:23
5:24
5:24
5:25
5:27
 mm
2
5
2
3
1
1
Temp °C
17
16
15
16
16
15
17
16
16
20
19
17
20
18
17
20
16
16
19
20
18
Feels °C
14
13
13
15
14
14
15
14
15
17
16
16
18
17
17
19
13
16
17
18
18
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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.

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