
Surf Forecasts:
Saltwater surf forecast from 13 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 15 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 10s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 11s period, E swell with 1,412 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 15 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 7s period with SSW 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 (Jul 15) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 10s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Saltwater in the next 16 days are 2.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 10AM. 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 Saturday (Jul 18) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Wed 15th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Saltwater over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.
We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but the back half of this 16-day window is where it’s at. The first few days are just a tease, don’t bother paddling out until Wednesday the 15th. That’s when things start to wake up.
Wednesday the 15th sees a pulse of south swell at Saltwater, a point break that’s fairly consistent and exposed to the swell. Morning brings clean 4ft waves from the S with a moderate offshore breeze, and the swell energy is moderate at 228. It’s a solid, surfable option for a beginner-friendly wave. The afternoon sees the swell jump to 8ft from the S, but the energy really cranks up (1178), and with rain showers and a moderate offshore, it’s more of a solid, punchy wave. It’s getting a bit big for the groms at that size.
Thursday the 16th keeps the clean, offshore flow going. The swell drops a touch to 5-6ft, still from the S/SSE, with gentle offshore winds. The wave energy is moderate at 419-436. The water temperature is currently 68°, which is about average for the time of year, so no surprises there.
The standout of the whole forecast is easily the run from Wednesday the 22nd through Friday the 24th. This is the real deal. On Wednesday afternoon, a 7ft E swell with a very long period of 12 seconds rolls in, and the energy is strong at 1123. The wind is light and cross-off, so it’s clean. Thursday the 23rd is the absolute peak: 7ft E swell, periods of 12-13 seconds, and the energy is very strong (1243-1420). Light offshore and cross-off winds mean glassy, clean conditions. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. The long period groundswell means the waves will have heaps of power and shape, but it might break a bit straight at a beach break, so a point like Saltwater is ideal. The crowd factor is “often” here, so expect some company.
Friday the 24th is still excellent, with 6ft E swell and long periods of 12 seconds, and light cross-off winds. The energy is still strong at 1015-1020. If you can only get one session, make it Thursday the 23rd morning.
After that, the quality eases off but stays good through the weekend and into the start of the following week. Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th offer 5-6ft E swell with very long periods, clean conditions, and light winds. The energy is still strong (845-851). It’s a great run of surf.
By Monday the 28th, the swell drops off to 4ft, with lighter energy, and the wind turns onshore on Monday afternoon, so that’s the end of the good run. The last few days into the 29th are small and ordinary.
Final word: Don’t waste your time on the early part of the week. The 22nd to the 25th is the gold. The long period E swell and light winds will make for some seriously good point waves.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Wed night. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri morning, min 15°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | S 12 | S 8 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 6 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | E 7 | ESE 6 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
15 | 20 | 24 | 196 | 1178 | 846 | 329 | 412 | 227 | 255 | 141 | 146 | 229 | 468 | 938 | 1412 | 1146 | 1066 | 800 | 771 | 625 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | glassy |
High Tide | 8:05PM1.89m | 8:47AM1.15m | 8:54PM1.89m | 9:36AM1.18m | 9:41PM1.83m | 10:24AM1.21m | 10:25PM1.71m | 11:12AM1.23m | 11:09PM1.55m | 12:01PM1.25m | 11:53PM1.37m | 12:52PM1.27m | 00:38AM1.20m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:27PM0.16m | 2:55AM-0.04m | 2:18PM0.15m | 3:42AM-0.05m | 3:09PM0.17m | 4:25AM-0.03m | 4:00PM0.22m | 5:07AM0.03m | 4:52PM0.30m | 5:46AM0.10m | 5:47PM0.39m | 6:25AM0.18m | 6:48PM0.48m | ||||||||
6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | |
— | 5:01 | — | — | 5:01 | — | — | 5:02 | — | — | 5:02 | — | — | 5:04 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:05 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 2 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 17 | 18 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 16 |
Feels °C | 13 | 14 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | S 12 | SSE 12 | — | — | S 8 | S 17 | E 8 | SSE 18 | ESE 7 | E 7 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 19 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 |
15 | 20 | 24 | 28 | — | — | 329 | 24 | 12 | 30 | 141 | 146 | 48 | 33 | 36 | 1412 | 1146 | 1066 | 800 | 771 | 625 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 11 | S 18 | E 10 | — | — | ESE 6 | — | SSE 17 | S 15 | SSE 17 | NE 8 | SSW 7 | SSE 20 | S 19 | S 9 | SSE 18 | SSE 16 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 |
10 | 9 | 6 | 2 | — | — | 85 | — | 27 | 4 | 28 | 2 | 18 | 41 | 65 | 25 | 102 | 81 | 86 | 110 | 69 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 7 | S 20 | E 10 | E 11 | — | — | S 15 | — | — | NE 9 | — | S 25 | SSE 21 | — | S 18 | SSE 18 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 16 | SE 16 |
1 | 7 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 5 | — | — | 3 | — | 12 | 44 | — | 6 | 63 | 25 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 10 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 3 | SSW 6 | SW 4 | S 8 | S 9 | S 9 | — | SSE 8 | SSE 6 | SE 7 | S 7 | S 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
1 | 44 | 20 | 196 | 1178 | 846 | — | 412 | 227 | 255 | 94 | 122 | 229 | 468 | 938 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 48 | 48 | 53 | 0 | 221 | 116 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 168 | 195 | 191 | 197 | 309 | 116 | 236 | 221 | 116 | 116 | 48 | 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.










