
Surf Forecasts:
Saltwater surf forecast from 14 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 17 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, S swell with 2,968 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 16 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 8s 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 Wednesday (Sep 16) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.4m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 14s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Saltwater in the next 16 days are 3.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 8ft (2.4m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Saltwater over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty, coming to you live from the Saltwater stretch. Let’s talk about what’s coming down the pipe. It’s a bit of a slow start, but there’s a proper pulse of energy on the horizon that’s got my attention.
The next couple of days are a write-off, honestly. Tuesday’s got nothing on offer – just tiny, weak slop with hardly any energy (71). You’d be better off waxing your board and waiting. Wednesday morning sees a solid jump in size, with a 10ft south swell rolling in, but it’s got a fresh cross-offshore wind that keeps it from being perfect. The energy jumps up to 1434, which is significant, but the conditions are still a bit raw. Wednesday afternoon cleans up with a fresh offshire wind, pushing 12ft of south swell (2203 energy), but at that size, it’s pushing into expert territory. That’s a big, powerful wave.
Now, Thursday 17th September is the real standout in this run. Thursday morning is where it’s at. We’ve got a solid 10ft south swell, with a moderate offshire breeze out of the southwest. The energy reading is a whopping 3626 – that’s strong, powerful water moving through. The waves are going to be clean, lined up, and packing a punch. This is the window for experienced surfers who know the point. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing unusual.
After that, the swell starts to back off. Friday morning is still fun – 5ft from the SSE, glassy conditions, and 353 energy. It’ll be clean and cruisy, a good option if the big stuff was too much. But by Friday afternoon the onshore kicks in and it’s back to poor conditions. Saturday morning has a 3ft south swell with clean cross-offshore winds (310 energy), but it’s small. The weekend overall is pretty flat and messy.
We hit a real lull from Sunday the 20th through to Monday the 22nd. Tiny waves, weak energy, and onshore winds. You’re looking at a 3 to 4-day gap with nothing worth paddling out for. Tuesday the 23rd sees a bump back up to 5-6ft from the SSE, but with cross-onshore winds and moderate energy (904-1380), it’s just marginal. Not worth getting excited about.
The rest of the second week into the end of September looks inconsistent and mostly onshore. There’s a small window on Tuesday the 29th with a 4ft east-northeast swell and a gentle offshire wind (320 energy) – clean and surfable but small. Wednesday the 30th has a moderate offshire but the swell is weak and short-period. Nothing else really stands out as a must-paddle session.
So, if you’re an experienced surfer, lock in Thursday 17th September morning. That’s your session. For everyone else, the small clean windows on Friday morning or Tuesday the 29th are your best bet.
Stay stoked,
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 23°C on Tue morning, min 12°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue morning, fresh winds from the SSW by Wed morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | ||||||||||||||
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 11 | SSE 10 | NE 6 | NE 6 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 20 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
60 | 32 | 34 | 24 | 1402 | 2186 | 2206 | 2007 | 1115 | 552 | 315 | 344 | 267 | 179 | 206 | 117 | 81 | 57 | 38 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | on | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:06PM1.27m | 10:30AM1.47m | 10:44PM1.14m | 11:10AM1.42m | 11:25PM1.03m | 11:54AM1.34m | 00:15AM0.93m | 12:49PM1.27m | 1:23AM0.87m | 1:58PM1.23m | 2:54AM0.85m | 3:14PM1.23m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:05AM0.21m | 4:54PM0.30m | 4:37AM0.30m | 5:42PM0.38m | 5:12AM0.39m | 6:38PM0.46m | 5:55AM0.48m | 7:48PM0.52m | 6:54AM0.54m | 9:11PM0.52m | 8:14AM0.58m | 10:22PM0.47m | |||||||
— | 5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 23 | 21 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 24 | 21 | 19 | 26 | 23 | 21 |
Feels °C | 15 | 22 | 20 | 13 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 21 | 19 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 13 | E 13 | S 10 | S 19 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 |
57 | 26 | 34 | 24 | 7 | 17 | 3 | 1599 | 28 | 552 | 315 | 344 | 267 | 179 | 206 | 117 | 81 | 57 | 22 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 12 | SSE 10 | S 10 | E 14 | E 14 | — | — | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | SSE 19 | SSE 18 | SSE 17 | SSE 15 | SSE 18 | SSE 15 | NE 5 | S 16 | NE 4 |
12 | 32 | 17 | 16 | 4 | — | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | 35 | 180 | 166 | 130 | 102 | 76 | 3 | 5 | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 13 | E 13 | E 14 | — | S 16 | — | — | ENE 13 | — | S 19 | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | NE 4 | S 15 | NE 4 | SSE 17 | E 11 | SSE 20 |
3 | 13 | 16 | — | 21 | — | — | 17 | — | 7 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 28 | 3 | 38 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 6 | — | — | S 6 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | — | — | NE 3 | NE 4 | — | ENE 3 | NNE 4 | — | ENE 3 | — |
60 | — | — | 171 | 1402 | 2186 | 2206 | 2007 | 1115 | — | — | 2 | 3 | — | 1 | 10 | — | 7 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 39 | 19 | 1484 | 291 | 628 | 957 | 0 | 0 | 116 | 0 | 0 | 206 | 22 | 0 | 41 | 22 | 37 | 292 | 37 |
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.










