Saltwater Surf Break

Lat Long: 32.01° S 152.57° E

Saltwater Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 pm 17 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Saltwater sea temperature is
19.3° C
0.2° 

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


Saltwater surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 19 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 10s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period, ESE swell with 1,998 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 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 Saturday (Jul 18) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 21s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 11s 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 3.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 18) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Sat 18th Jul)5ft (1.5m) 7s
Best Surf 7PM (Sun 19th Jul)8ft (2.5m) 10s
Most Powerful 4AM (Sun 19th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 11s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, surfers, Rusty here. Let's look at what's on the menu for the next couple of weeks.

Honestly, for the first few days, it’s a bit of a struggle. Saturday the 18th and Sunday the 19th are sending through some lumpy, cross-off wind swell, and the scores are just not there. The energy is building though, from a moderate 394 to a stronger 1487 by Sunday, but the wind is just messing with it. It’s not the kind of surf you’d paddle out for unless you’re desperate.

We get a little window early Tuesday morning the 21st. The swell drops to a clean 5 ft from the ENE, but the wind goes glassy. That’s a big deal. It’s small, but the combined energy is still moderate (489), and with the water temperature being about average for this time of year, a glassy morning on a small wave is a nice way to start the day. But it’s short-lived, as the wind swings onshore in the afternoon.

The next standout, and the real highlight of the first week, is Wednesday the 24th. A new pulse of 5 ft swell from the S arrives, with a clean offshore wind. The wave energy is moderate (407), and with a gentle offshore breeze, it’s going to be clean and fun. This is the best call for the first half of the outlook.

The mid-week after that is a real letdown. There’s a few small clean days, but the swell is tiny. From Thursday the 23rd through to the 28th, we’re looking at a long stretch of knee-to-waist high slop. It’s a gap of several days where you’re better off doing something else.

But hold on. Patience pays off. The last day of July and the first of August are looking seriously special. Tuesday the 28th afternoon shows a building trend, with a 5 ft SSW swell and clean conditions (energy 527), a solid sign of things to come. Then Friday the 31st of July is the one. The morning kicks off with a solid 10 ft S swell (energy 2130), and by the afternoon it’s pulsing at 13 ft from the S with a 13-second period. The energy is exceptional (9081). This is a serious, expert-only groundswell. The wind is light and cross-off, so it’s going to be a powerful, clean, heavy day. Only for the experienced crew.

Saturday the 1st of August keeps the size going, with 10 ft+ SSE swell, and then Sunday the 2nd of August has a glassy 12 ft S swell. That Sunday morning is a gift for the big-wave chargers.

So, for the best on offer: Wednesday the 24th is the pick for the average surfer looking for a clean, fun wave. But the absolute standout, the one to circle on the calendar, is Friday the 31st of July. That’s a big, clean, powerful swell with ridiculous energy. It’s not for everyone, but for those who can handle it, it’s a world-class day.

Stay frothy, and I’ll catch you in the water.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat morning, min 14°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed morning, min 12°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
1
3
3
3
4
2
2
2
2
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.4
ESE
7
1.7
ESE
7
1.7
E
8
2.5
E
11
2.5
E
10
2.5
E
10
2.3
E
10
2
E
10
1.8
E
10
1.6
E
10
1.4
ENE
10
1.3
ENE
10
1.2
ENE
9
0.9
ENE
9
0.9
ENE
9
0.9
ENE
9
0.7
ENE
9
0.6
ENE
8
1.8
S
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
173
294
377
1584
1360
1375
1060
802
643
500
386
328
232
146
143
111
77
55
553
Wind (km/h)
10
S
20
SSE
20
SSE
20
SSE
20
SSE
15
SSE
10
SSE
10
SE
10
ESE
5
NW
5
NW
15
ENE
10
NNW
5
WNW
10
E
10
W
10
SW
10
SSE
10
W
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
glassy
on
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
10:25PM1.71m
11:12AM1.23m
11:09PM1.55m
12:01PM1.25m
11:53PM1.37m
12:52PM1.27m
00:38AM1.20m
1:45PM1.27m
1:30AM1.05m
2:43PM1.29m
2:32AM0.94m
3:42PM1.31m
3:46AM0.88m
Low Tide
5:07AM0.03m
4:52PM0.30m
5:46AM0.10m
5:47PM0.39m
6:25AM0.18m
6:48PM0.48m
7:04AM0.26m
7:57PM0.55m
7:47AM0.34m
9:14PM0.57m
8:36AM0.39m
10:31PM0.54m
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:47
6:47
6:46
6:46
6:45
6:45
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:04
5:05
5:05
5:06
5:06
5:07
 mm
4
3
2
Temp °C
15
17
17
17
17
17
17
16
15
14
16
16
15
18
18
16
17
16
13
Feels °C
13
13
13
13
13
14
15
15
13
13
14
14
14
17
16
14
14
14
11
  • 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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