
Surf Forecasts:
Saltwater surf forecast from 5 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 11 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 12s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 10 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 8s period, NE swell with 596 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 6 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 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 Thursday (Aug 06) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Saltwater in the next 16 days are 2.1m 8s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 10) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 8s period and expected on Monday (Aug 10) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Thu 6th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 1PM (Tue 11th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Mon 10th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Saltwater over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, it’s Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – the next couple of weeks are going to test your patience if you’re chasing waves. There’s a long, flat stretch to start, and even when things pick up, it’s mostly small and messy. But there is one morning that stands out as a proper gem, and a couple of other windows that might just be worth a paddle if you’re keen.
The window kicks off with a real dud. Wednesday and Thursday are flat, with nothing but tiny windswell and poor conditions. You’d be better off doing anything else. The first tiny pulse arrives Friday morning, but it’s still ordinary – small, weak energy and just not worth suiting up for. The weekend stays pretty grim, with Saturday morning barely a ripple and a building NE wind on Sunday afternoon that’s going to chop up whatever’s there.
The first real sign of life comes Monday, the 10th. There’s a bit more size, around 5ft, but the energy is still moderate and the direction is average. It’s clean with a cross-off breeze, but honestly, it’s still not firing. The swell drops back again Tuesday, but the period jumps to 13 seconds, which is a nice sign. Still, the size is just not there.
Now, here’s the standout. Friday morning, the 14th. This is the one. The swell pushes up to around 5ft with a proper 11-second period, and the energy is massive – strong, powerful stuff. The wind is dead calm, glassy as can be. This is a proper groundswell pulse, and at Saltwater, a point break, that long period is going to wrap in and line up nicely. It’s a morning for experienced surfers, no doubt, but the conditions will be absolutely mint. This is the best on offer, by a long shot.
After that, it fades back down. The following week is mostly small and average, with a few clean mornings but nothing that’s going to get your heart racing. The 15th has a little push, but it’s nothing special. By the 17th and 18th, we’re back to knee-high mush. The energy readings are consistently weak, often below 100, so it’s a quiet stretch.
One thing to note: the water temp is 65°, which is about average for the time of year, so no surprises there.
So, to sum it up: get through the first week, keep your eye on Friday the 14th. That’s your window. The rest is for the kitesurfers, not the paddle surfers.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed afternoon, min 10°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Warm (max 20°C on Sun morning, min 9°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat morning, fresh winds from the WNW by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | |||||||||||||||
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) | E 9 | E 9 | S 11 | SSE 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | E 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | NE 8 | NE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 13 | ENE 10 | S 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
42 | 38 | 23 | 39 | 50 | 106 | 110 | 87 | 88 | 33 | 84 | 129 | 123 | 339 | 349 | 370 | 113 | 65 | 81 | 151 | 100 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 12:48PM1.33m | 00:44AM1.16m | 1:48PM1.36m | 1:55AM1.05m | 2:57PM1.41m | 3:21AM0.98m | 4:07PM1.50m | 4:45AM0.99m | 5:13PM1.60m | 5:55AM1.04m | 6:11PM1.71m | 6:53AM1.11m | 7:03PM1.79m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:57PM0.46m | 7:02AM0.25m | 8:16PM0.46m | 8:02AM0.31m | 9:43PM0.42m | 9:11AM0.34m | 11:02PM0.32m | 10:23AM0.32m | 00:07AM0.20m | 11:28AM0.27m | 1:02AM0.09m | 12:26PM0.21m | 1:49AM0.01m | ||||||||
6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | |
— | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 17 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 20 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 11 | 18 | 18 | 12 |
Feels °C | 13 | 14 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 7 | 14 | 15 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 5 | S 6 | ESE 8 | SSE 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 9 | ENE 7 | E 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 6 | S 8 | NE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | S 12 | S 10 |
17 | 25 | 23 | 39 | 50 | 106 | 110 | 87 | 88 | 26 | 84 | 129 | 123 | 3 | 5 | 370 | 113 | 65 | 71 | 151 | 100 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | S 5 | E 8 | S 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | SSE 9 | S 8 | SSW 8 | S 7 | SSE 8 | E 14 | S 8 | NNE 8 | NE 8 | S 13 | SSW 10 | ENE 10 |
42 | 38 | 5 | 20 | 9 | 4 | 17 | 29 | 27 | 33 | 34 | 19 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 44 | 15 | 81 | 71 | 100 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 12 | S 11 | SSW 5 | E 10 | E 7 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | SSW 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | E 14 | SE 10 | — | SW 6 | SSW 7 | SSW 8 | S 12 | NE 4 |
2 | 3 | 22 | 5 | 19 | 9 | 20 | 8 | 7 | 23 | 32 | 16 | 7 | 4 | 4 | — | 2 | 5 | 24 | 3 | 4 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 5 | SSW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 2 | — | NNE 2 | NE 3 | ENE 9 | NE 8 | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | W 3 | — | ENE 10 | — |
47 | 47 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 2 | 339 | 349 | 17 | 15 | 1 | — | 148 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 39 | 34 | 48 | 22 | 116 | 0 | 0 | 134 | 0 | 0 | 90 | 22 | 53 | 98 | 172 | 53 | 39 | 22 | 0 | 19 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Port Macquarie | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
Latest Updates
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.











