Surf Forecasts:
Saltwater surf forecast from 27 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 9s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 12s period, SSE swell with 805 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 12s period with SSE 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 Friday (Aug 28) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Saltwater in the next 16 days are 1.7m 12s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Saltwater over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey crew, Rusty here with the imperial numbers for Saltwater. Water temp's sitting at 66°F – right on the average for this time of year, so you're good with a thin wetsuit or just boardies if you're tough.
We're kicking off Friday morning, August 28, with a beauty. Glassy calm, no wind, and a 6ft SSE groundswell at 12 seconds. The combined energy is 845 – that's moderate but with proper heft. This is the kind of session that'll have you grinning ear to ear. Crowds are often, so set the alarm. The point break loves this SE direction, and that long period means easier paddling between sets. Beginners can handle this size no worries.
Later Friday afternoon the wind goes east at 9 mph cross-on and messes it up. Saturday morning August 29 is clean with 4ft SSE at 10 seconds and cross-off wind. Sunday morning the 30th brings 3ft SSW at 8 seconds with offshore wind, but the short period makes for weaker waves. Monday August 31 morning has 5ft S swell and offshore wind, energy 493 – a good session.
Then it's a dry spell. From Tuesday September 1 through Thursday September 4 the swell drops to 1–3ft junk, often with onshore winds. Friday September 5 morning shows 3ft S at 8 seconds, glassy, but only 172 energy – surfable but nothing special.
Now for the big one – circle Tuesday morning, September 8. That's over a week out, so keep an eye on it, but the models are firing: 10ft SSE groundswell at 12 seconds, dead glassy, and combined energy roaring at 2287 – that's strong. This one's for experts only – 10ft is big on a point break, and it'll be grinding with long faces. The swell direction SSE is a great match for the optimum SE. Expect crowds to be heavy.
After that, it fades. Wednesday September 9 morning is back to 5ft with cross-on wind. The rest of the second week is small and often blown out, with a tiny Saturday September 12 morning showing 3ft S at 11 seconds and glassy – surfable but ordinary.
So grab Friday August 28 morning for a fun session, or hold out for Tuesday September 8 if you want to charge. Otherwise, it's a waiting game.
Rusty signing off.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri morning, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Wed morning, min 15°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | S 8 | SE 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 15 | S 10 | S 9 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | ENE 10 | SSE 10 | ENE 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
805 | 551 | 307 | 294 | 461 | 401 | 154 | 133 | 429 | 306 | 266 | 265 | 101 | 253 | 151 | 112 | 75 | 50 | 33 | 34 | 35 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross | cross | cross-on | on | cross | cross | on | cross | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 8:14PM1.60m | 8:46AM1.32m | 8:48PM1.57m | 9:21AM1.38m | 9:24PM1.51m | 9:58AM1.43m | 10:02PM1.42m | 10:38AM1.45m | 10:45PM1.31m | 11:23AM1.45m | 11:34PM1.18m | 12:16PM1.43m | 00:36AM1.05m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:56PM0.23m | 2:42AM0.07m | 2:35PM0.21m | 3:13AM0.06m | 3:16PM0.21m | 3:44AM0.07m | 3:59PM0.23m | 4:18AM0.11m | 4:47PM0.27m | 4:55AM0.18m | 5:42PM0.32m | 5:38AM0.26m | 6:49PM0.38m | ||||||||
6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | |
— | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:32 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 21 | 20 | 17 | 25 | 24 | 19 | 29 | 28 | 23 |
Feels °C | 16 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 23 | 21 | 16 | 25 | 24 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | ENE 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 10 | S 9 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | ENE 10 | NE 5 | NNE 6 |
805 | 551 | 307 | 294 | 26 | 209 | 127 | 133 | 304 | 306 | 200 | 265 | 101 | 253 | 151 | 112 | 75 | 50 | 30 | 8 | 22 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | N 6 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SSE 9 | ENE 9 | SSE 17 | SSE 15 | SSE 16 | S 12 | ENE 10 | NE 5 | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | ENE 10 |
26 | 25 | 28 | 24 | 1 | 261 | 134 | 113 | 29 | 159 | 266 | 144 | 69 | 34 | 11 | 50 | 48 | 30 | 33 | 34 | 30 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | S 13 | S 12 | SSW 10 | N 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | SSE 17 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 11 | NE 12 | E 10 | NE 5 | NE 11 | NE 4 | NE 5 | ENE 10 | SSE 10 |
14 | 82 | 67 | 37 | 2 | 26 | 25 | 14 | 59 | 28 | 26 | 14 | 37 | 6 | 50 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 31 | 35 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SSW 4 | SSE 10 | S 8 | SSW 8 | — | S 9 | — | — | — | NNE 2 | NE 4 | — | — | NE 3 | NNW 2 | NW 3 | — | WNW 3 |
— | — | — | 10 | 461 | 401 | 154 | — | 429 | — | — | — | 1 | 23 | — | — | 4 | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 134 | 0 | 0 | 134 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 48 | 22 | 37 | 125 | 22 | 22 | 56 | 22 | 37 | 19 | 39 |
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.











