Surf Forecasts:
Saltwater surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 7AM (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, 7AM (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 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 9s. 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. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Saltwater over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's look at the next couple of weeks. We've got a bit of a quiet start, but there is some solid potential brewing for the end of the month.
The first few days are a bit of a tease. Monday afternoon the 17th has some knee to waist high swell at 4ft from the ESE, but with rain showers and a cross-on breeze, it’s not worth paddling out. The combined energy is moderate (365), but the conditions just aren’t there.
Things perk up a little on Tuesday morning the 18th. The swell holds at 4ft from the ESE, but we get a glassy surface with light winds. The wave energy is still moderate (245), and while it’s not pumping, it’ll be the cleanest it’s been. It’s a solid juniors or longboard morning for those who just need to get wet. That glassy window is short though, as the afternoon turns cross-on again.
Wednesday morning the 19th is another early window with glassy conditions and a bit more period going 4ft at 10 seconds from the ESE. The energy is moderate (360). It’s not a standout, but it’s clean and surfable. After that, we hit a real dry spell. From Thursday the 20th through to the following Wednesday morning the 26th, the swell drops right off and the wind is mostly onshore or too weak. There’s a small window of glassy surf on Sunday morning the 23rd, but the swell is only 2ft from the ENE with weak energy (45). It’s a true flat spell.
We finally get a proper pulse kicking in again on Friday the 28th of August. The morning shows a 5ft swell from the SW with a short 7-second period, giving us moderate energy (336) and clean cross-off winds. It’s not the best quality, but it’s a sign of what's coming.
Now, let’s talk about the real standout. Sunday the 30th of August is the one to circle. Saltwater turns on in a big way. We’re looking at a solid 7ft swell from the S with a moderate 10-second period. The real kicker is the wind – a fresh 16 mph offshore from the SW on the morning, and 16 mph from the SSW in the afternoon, both off (offshore). This will be clean, lined-up, and punchy. The combined energy is very strong (1532 for the morning session), and the water temp is sitting at a normal 66°F for this time of year. This is expert territory with the size, so if you’ve got the chops, it’s your day.
The run continues into Monday the 31st of August with 6ft offshores and Tuesday the 1st of September with 6ft from the SSE, but the standout is that Sunday the 30th. Get on it.
-Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 20°C on Thu morning, min 14°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Warm (max 20°C on Fri morning, min 14°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 9 | ENE 8 | SSE 17 | S 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 222 | 187 | 187 | 175 | 327 | 258 | 194 | 93 | 66 | 124 | 32 | 44 | 34 | 16 | 14 | 37 | 46 | 92 | 42 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross | glassy | cross-on | off | cross-on | off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 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 | 5:29AM0.23m | 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 | |||||||
 |  |  |  |  | | | | |  | |  |  | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — |
mm | 2 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 15 |
Feels °C | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | ESE 8 | S 11 | ESE 8 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 9 |
| kJ | 55 | 187 | 58 | 175 | 327 | 258 | 194 | 93 | 66 | 73 | 32 | 24 | 34 | 16 | 14 | 37 | 46 | 40 | 42 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 11 | S 8 | ESE 13 | ESE 11 | S 10 | S 9 | E 12 | E 10 | E 10 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SSE 7 | S 5 | S 9 | S 8 | SSE 17 | ENE 8 |
| kJ | 20 | 33 | 69 | 111 | 29 | 23 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 19 | 13 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 92 | 22 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 13 | S 12 | E 9 | S 11 | S 15 | — | S 8 | NE 8 | S 14 | S 13 | E 9 | E 9 | S 10 | S 3 | SE 7 | — | SSW 6 | S 8 | S 5 |
| kJ | 16 | 25 | 6 | 56 | 4 | — | 13 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | — | 3 | 11 | 15 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 7 | — | ESE 8 | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | NE 4 | NE 6 | — | NE 6 | — | SW 3 | — | — | SSW 3 | S 6 | — |
| kJ | 222 | — | 187 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 18 | 124 | — | 44 | — | 3 | — | — | 2 | 10 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 241 | 0 | 159 | 0 | 0 | 163 | 39 | 53 | 161 | 22 | 34 | 39 | 48 | 39 | 116 | 19 | 22 | 116 | 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.
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