
Surf Forecasts:
Saltwater surf forecast from 22 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 10s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 13s period, S swell with 1,609 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 23 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 9s period with ENE 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 (Jul 23) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 11s. 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 2.1m 13s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 4s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 4PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 7ft (2.1m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Saltwater over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking at Saltwater over the next couple of weeks.
We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but things ramp up nicely. The first few days are pretty ordinary, so don’t get your hopes up for a mid-week paddle. The real action starts to build from Friday the 24th, with a solid run of clean surf through the weekend and into the following week. There’s a decent gap of nothing special after Monday the 28th, but the second week kicks back in with some serious size.
The water’s sitting at 67°F, which is about average for the time of year, so no surprise there.
Friday 24th July is where it gets interesting. The morning is clean with a light offshore wind from the SW and a 4ft SSW swell (moderate wave energy of 301). Good, clean fun. But it’s the Friday afternoon that’s the standout. That 7ft swell from the S hits with a solid 10-second period and the combined energy is pumping at 1612. The wind is a cross-offshore breeze, so it’s going to be excellent for experienced surfers. This is the pick of the first week.
Saturday 25th morning is still a beauty. A 6ft S swell with a 12-second period, clean with a light cross-off breeze. Wave energy is strong (900). This is a proper groundswell that will handle the point break setup well. The afternoon gets a bit fickle with tide, but the morning is a winner.
Sunday 26th keeps the run going with 5ft S swells, 12-second periods, and clean conditions all day. Wave energy is solid (631 in the morning, 544 in the afternoon). You’ll be sharing the peak for sure, so expect a crowd.
Monday 27th morning is glassy with a 4ft S swell. That’s a beautiful window for a session before the wind turns onshore in the afternoon.
After that, it drops off. The 28th and 29th are small and weak, with the 30th offering a long-period, 17-second SSE swell at 3ft, but the wind is messy. There’s a rainy, windy patch through the 31st that’s best left alone.
Sunday 2nd August is when things get serious again. An 8ft SSE swell rolls in with a short 8-second period. The combined energy is strong (975) and the wind is light and cross-offshore. This is heavy, powerful surf, only for experts. The same goes for Monday 3rd August morning, with a 7ft ESE swell, though the wind is lighter. The afternoon gets choppy.
The last few days of the forecast have some cleaner, smaller options, but the big stuff is the real story.
So, if you’re an experienced surfer, Friday afternoon the 24th is your best bet. For the rest of us, Saturday morning the 25th or Sunday morning the 26th are the ones to circle. The big swell on the 2nd of August is a promise, but it’s a long way out, so keep an eye on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Thu morning, min 8°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun morning, min 10°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | SSW 8 | S 10 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 15 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
185 | 146 | 106 | 80 | 55 | 173 | 986 | 1491 | 880 | 606 | 296 | 625 | 536 | 426 | 268 | 168 | 142 | 92 | 68 | 128 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross | glassy | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:32AM0.94m | 3:42PM1.31m | 3:46AM0.88m | 4:39PM1.34m | 4:57AM0.88m | 5:30PM1.39m | 5:55AM0.92m | 6:16PM1.46m | 6:43AM0.96m | 6:57PM1.52m | 7:25AM1.01m | 7:35PM1.58m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:14PM0.57m | 8:36AM0.39m | 10:31PM0.54m | 9:33AM0.43m | 11:35PM0.49m | 10:31AM0.43m | 00:25AM0.42m | 11:26AM0.41m | 1:06AM0.35m | 12:13PM0.37m | 1:43AM0.28m | 12:56PM0.32m | 2:18AM0.22m | |||||||
— | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | |
5:06 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:09 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 15 |
Feels °C | 16 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | S 9 | S 10 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 15 |
185 | 146 | 106 | 80 | 55 | 87 | 578 | 1491 | 880 | 606 | 296 | 625 | 536 | 426 | 268 | 168 | 142 | 92 | 68 | 128 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 10 | E 9 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 7 | E 12 | NE 8 | NE 8 | S 19 | S 9 |
17 | 20 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 39 | 22 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 28 | 41 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | — | — | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | S 18 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 9 | — | NE 7 | E 13 | E 12 | NE 7 | E 10 | E 10 | SE 7 | NE 4 |
3 | — | — | 3 | 2 | 2 | 26 | 14 | 6 | 7 | 1 | — | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 9 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | WSW 2 | SSW 5 | SW 4 | SSW 8 | S 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | NE 2 | NNE 4 |
— | — | 1 | 9 | 46 | 173 | 986 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 26 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 56 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 56 | 22 | 0 | 173 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Port Macquarie | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










