Saltwater Surf Break

Lat Long: 32.01° S 152.57° E

Saltwater Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 pm 05 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Saltwater sea temperature is
18.4° C
0.6° 

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


Saltwater surf forecast from 5 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 11 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 12s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 11 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 10s period, SSW swell with 1,130 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 6 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 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 0.6m 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 2.4m 10s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 4s period and expected on Monday (Aug 10) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Thu 6th Aug)2ft (0.6m) 10s
Best Surf10PM (Tue 11th Aug)6ft (1.9m) 12s
Most Powerful 4PM (Tue 11th Aug)8ft (2.4m) 10s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, mates, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at the next couple of weeks at Saltwater. We’ve got a bit of a slow start, then things start to rumble. Don't get too excited for the first few days; you might be better off getting the fishing gear sorted.

The opening stretch is pretty flat and messy. Wednesday the 5th and Thursday the 6th are a complete write-off. We’re looking at weak swell, maybe 1.5ft to 1.5ft, with light cross-shore winds. It’s going to be full of ripples and just plain poor. Not worth getting wet.

Friday the 7th sees a tiny pulse of energy, pushing the surf up to 2.5ft. The early morning has a clean, cross-offshore breeze from the west, and it’s surfable, but it’s still pretty ordinary. The swell energy is weak (148). It’s an option if you’re desperate, but don’t expect much.

The weekend stays small. Saturday the 8th has a glassy 1.5ft wave in the morning, but it’s weak (88). Sunday the 9th actually sees the swell start to build, but the wind is junk. By the afternoon, a 5ft east-northeast swell rolls in with a 12 mph onshore wind, and the energy is jumping to a moderate (376), but it’s going to be a messy, blown-out pile of slop. Not worth it.

Monday the 10th is when we start seeing some proper shape. A clean, cross-offshore west wind, 15 mph in the morning, with a 5.5ft northeast swell. The energy is getting strong (729). It’s still a bit raw, and the tide might be fussy, but it’s the first real glimmer of quality.

Then we hit a bit of a lull again. Tuesday the 11th and Wednesday the 12th have some clean windows, but the swell drops. Wednesday afternoon has a 2.5ft wave with a moderate offshore wind, but it’s small.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. The real action starts on Friday, August 14th. The morning shows a 6ft south swell, clean with a cross-offshore breeze. The energy is pumping hard (831). This is very good, clean surf. But the standout is Friday afternoon. The swell jumps to 8ft from the south, with a 12-second period. This is proper groundswell. The energy reading is a massive 2727, and conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers. This is a big, powerful day at Saltwater. This is the best on offer so far.

Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th keep the fun going with 4.5ft south swells. Clean, glassy conditions, especially Sunday morning with a gentle offshore wind. The energy is moderate to strong (443-552). Great waves for the average surfer.

Monday the 17th brings another spike, with a 6ft south swell in the morning and a big 8ft in the afternoon. The morning is clean, the afternoon gets a bit more energy (876), still good for a session.

Now, if you’ve got your big wave board and the bravery, Tuesday, August 18th is the day. The morning forecast is a 10ft south swell with a 12-second period and glassy conditions. The energy reading is a monstrous 3638. This is serious, powerful, excellent surf for experts only. This is way beyond beginner territory and even too much for most intermediates. If you're not a pro, stay on the beach and watch.

The swell stays solid through Wednesday the 19th, with 8ft waves and clean, glassy mornings. The energy is still well into the thousands (1806). This is another day for experienced surfers only, as the afternoon does get a bit of a cross-onshore chop.

After that big push, the week winds down. Thursday the 20th still has some size, with a 6ft south-southeast swell in the morning, but it’s crossed up by a light onshore wind. The energy is still strong (937), but the quality drops. It’s a bit of a letdown after the preceding days.

So, to sum it up: get through the first week, and the second week is where it all happens. The standout days are Friday the 14th for the first proper taste of quality, and Tuesday the 18th for the real big-wave specialists. Over 8ft, and this spot is left to the experts.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu morning, min 9°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Warm (max 22°C on Sun morning, min 8°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
6
Friday
7
Saturday
8
Sunday
9
Monday
10
Tuesday
11
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
2
1
0
1
3
2
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
S
11
0.4
SSE
11
0.4
SSE
10
0.8
S
9
0.8
S
9
0.7
SSE
10
0.7
S
9
0.5
S
8
0.7
E
8
0.9
ENE
9
0.9
ENE
9
1.5
ENE
9
2.1
NE
8
1.4
NE
9
0.9
ENE
9
0.6
ENE
9
1.8
S
11
2.4
SSW
10
1.9
S
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
22
39
33
104
113
94
83
34
63
123
132
387
542
316
121
69
755
1130
976
Wind (km/h)
10
W
5
WSW
10
ESE
10
WNW
5
WSW
10
ESE
10
WNW
5
SSW
10
ESE
10
NNW
10
N
25
NE
15
NNW
25
W
25
W
15
W
5
WNW
15
ENE
10
W
Wind State
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
on
cross-off
High Tide
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
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
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:35
6:33
6:33
6:31
6:31
6:30
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:15
5:15
5:16
5:17
5:17
5:19
 mm
1
Temp °C
12
15
14
12
15
15
13
15
15
15
22
20
17
16
16
11
16
16
12
Feels °C
9
12
11
10
12
13
12
13
13
14
18
16
13
9
10
7
13
12
9
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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