
Surf Forecasts:
Saltwater surf forecast from 8 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 10 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period, S swell with 1,926 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 8 Sep, 4PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 9s 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 Tuesday (Sep 08) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 9s 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 Thursday (Sep 10) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4PM (Tue 8th Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Thu 10th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Thu 10th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Saltwater over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s coming up for Saltwater. We’ve got a solid run of waves on the horizon, but it’s a bit of a mixed bag with some real standouts and a few days where you’ll want to sit it out.
The overall pattern kicks off with a strong pulse of S swell that’ll keep things interesting for the first week. The water temp is sitting at 66°F, which is pretty much spot on for this time of year, so no surprises there.
The run starts Tuesday the 8th. Morning is a bit messy with rain showers and a cross-off 25 km/h wind, but the swell is a solid 8ft from the S at 9 seconds. The energy is moderate (931), and it’s surfable, but the wind makes it feel a bit average. The afternoon cleans up nicely though – wind drops to 15 km/h, still cross-off, and the swell holds at 7ft from the S. The energy drops a bit (806), but conditions are way better.
Now, Wednesday the 9th morning is the first real standout. The wind goes glassy, dead calm from the WNW at 5 km/h, and the swell is a clean 5ft from the SSE at 9 seconds. The energy is moderate (340), but that glassy surface is going to make it pure silk. This is a beginner-friendly size, and with the point breaking so clean, it’s a great session for everyone.
The rest of Wednesday afternoon gets a bit wind-affected again, and Thursday the 10th brings a big jump in size. Thursday morning sees 10ft from the SSE at 10 seconds – that’s a lot of water moving. The energy is strong (1832), and while it’s clean, 10ft is expert territory. Thursday afternoon is similar at 8ft. Friday the 11th is still solid with 8ft in the morning, but the wind is cross-off, so it’s more about the bigger-wave crew.
Saturday the 12th morning is another glassy gem. Light ESE at 5 km/h, swell 5ft from the SSE, 9 seconds. Energy is moderate (452). It’s a perfect window for the point.
After the 12th, the surf really drops off. Sunday the 13th through Tuesday the 15th is a gap – tiny, weak, onshore wind, basically no good options. The swell is under 3ft and the energy is low (110 to 362). It’s a 3-day blank run.
Then we get a nice little pulse back on Wednesday the 16th. Morning brings 7ft from the SSE at 9 seconds, with a light 10 km/h cross-off wind. The energy is moderate (675). It’s a solid, clean day that’s worth getting in the water for. The afternoon holds at 6ft.
Thursday the 17th morning is glassy again with 4ft from the SSE – a nice, clean, smaller follow-up. After that, we’re back into a long stretch of poor to ordinary conditions. Friday the 18th through the end of the outlook on the 23rd is mostly onshore winds, tiny swell (under 5ft and mostly under 3ft), and very low energy (89 to 239). The swell direction shifts to the NE, which isn’t ideal for the point. There’s a few glassy moments on the 18th, 20th, and 22nd mornings, but the swell is just too small (2ft to 3ft) to get excited about. The 23rd gets a bit of a NE wind increase to 30 km/h, so that’s a write-off.
So, the two true standouts: Wednesday the 9th morning with glassy conditions and clean 5ft surf, and Wednesday the 16th with a solid 7ft pulse and light cross-off winds. The 16th is a bit bigger, but still manageable for confident intermediates. Crowds are likely at Saltwater, so get there early for the glassy sessions.
That’s the picture from here. Keep your eyes on the horizon, and I’ll be out there.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed morning, min 11°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | S 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
919 | 794 | 445 | 328 | 234 | 1331 | 1673 | 1132 | 1424 | 1064 | 804 | 506 | 367 | 363 | 322 | 178 | 153 | 156 | 184 | 134 | 114 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 5:57PM1.63m | 6:41AM1.20m | 6:46PM1.67m | 7:24AM1.30m | 7:30PM1.67m | 8:04AM1.39m | 8:11PM1.62m | 8:41AM1.46m | 8:50PM1.52m | 9:18AM1.50m | 9:28PM1.40m | 9:54AM1.50m | 10:06PM1.27m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:25AM0.31m | 00:41AM0.09m | 12:21PM0.23m | 1:22AM0.03m | 1:11PM0.17m | 1:58AM0.01m | 1:58PM0.14m | 2:32AM0.02m | 2:43PM0.13m | 3:04AM0.07m | 3:26PM0.16m | 3:35AM0.13m | 4:09PM0.22m | ||||||||
5:58 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | |
— | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 16 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 19 | 18 | 15 | 22 | 21 | 18 |
Feels °C | 12 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 19 | 17 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | ESE 11 | SE 10 | S 23 | SSE 20 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | S 12 | S 12 | NE 6 |
9 | 9 | 445 | 328 | 234 | 81 | 48 | 267 | 216 | 1064 | 804 | 506 | 367 | 363 | 322 | 166 | 153 | 156 | 184 | 134 | 30 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 9 | NE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ESE 13 | SSE 18 | SSE 23 | E 9 | E 15 | E 14 | E 13 | E 14 | SSE 19 | SSE 18 | SSE 20 | SSE 18 | SSE 16 | E 13 | ENE 5 | E 12 | S 11 |
3 | 3 | 9 | 8 | 17 | 31 | 105 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 14 | 15 | 69 | 190 | 239 | 178 | 51 | 13 | 9 | 12 | 114 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | E 15 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 15 | ENE 15 | S 21 | E 9 | E 9 | E 14 | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | E 10 | E 13 | E 16 | E 12 |
— | — | — | 4 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 21 | 9 | 2 | 6 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 2 | 13 | 5 | 12 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 9 | — | — | S 3 | S 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | — | — | — | — | — | NE 4 | NNE 3 | ENE 4 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 4 | NNE 6 |
919 | 794 | — | — | 5 | 1331 | 1673 | 1132 | 1424 | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 4 | 32 | 26 | 23 | 34 | 90 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 116 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 617 | 304 | 86 | 116 | 0 | 34 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 206 | 22 | 56 | 173 | 39 | 37 | 260 | 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.










