
Surf Forecasts:
Sawtell surf forecast from 2 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 2 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 12s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 2 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 12s period, SE swell with 812 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 2 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 12s period with SE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Sawtell this week:
The surf forecast for Sawtell over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 02) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 16s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Sawtell in the next 16 days are 1.6m 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 02) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Sawtell over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ve gotta be straight with you – this outlook for Sawtell is a tough one to write. There’s a big dry spell ahead, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel if you’re patient.
We start with Sunday the 2nd and the water’s sitting at 67°, about average for this time of year, no major temperature surprises. The swell energy is hanging in there at a moderate 678 and we’ve got a 5ft SE swell rolling in with a 10-second period. The problem is the onshore easterly breeze at 6 mph. It’s not screaming, but it’s enough to mess with the quality. The call is marginal at best, so I’d sit this one out.
Monday the 3rd is where you want to be awake early. Monday morning is the standout of the whole early forecast. We get a glassy, light NNE breeze at 3 mph – basically flat calm – with a clean 4ft SE swell (10-second period) and a combined energy of 397. That’s good energy and clean conditions. This is the best you’re going to see for the first week. The waves will be punchy and lined up on the point. After lunch the breeze swings and picks up, ruining the session, so get in there early.
Then the grim stuff sets in. From Tuesday the 4th right through to Sunday the 9th, it’s a long stretch of tiny surf. Most mornings offer glassy conditions but with swell heights barely scraping 2ft to 3ft and energy dropping below 200 – just limp, weak waves. The afternoons are all onshore and choppy. Not worth paddling out unless you want to practise your pop-up on a 2ft ripple.
Monday the 10th has a clean morning with a light offshore from the WSW at 3 mph, but the swell is still weak at 3ft and the energy is only 139. It’s surfable but very ordinary. The next few days stay small and messy until the 13th and 14th when the wind picks up to 16-19 mph – that’s kite-surfing conditions, not paddle surfing. The swell bumps up to 3-4ft but with a short period around 7-8 seconds, it’s all chop and bounce.
Now, here’s the real story. The whole second week is building to something. Saturday the 16th shows a pulse of S swell in the afternoon: 4ft from the SSE with a 14-second period and a combined energy of 567 – that’s proper groundswell. It’s a bit raw with the cross-off breeze, so it’s marginal but getting interesting.
Then Monday the 17th (that’s a week and a half away) is the one you circle on the calendar. Monday morning we’ve got 4ft of SSE groundswell with a very long 17-second period and a massive combined energy reading of 1119 – that’s strong, powerful surf. The wind is a light SSW at 6 mph offering a clean cross-off. This is excellent for experienced surfers. The only catch: that long 17-second period means the waves will really stand up and peel perfectly on the point at Sawtell, but at beach breaks they’d close out. On this point, it’s going to be a dream for the advanced crew. The afternoon gets a bit skunky with an onshore kick, so make it a dawn patrol mission.
So to sum it up: your best bet is Monday morning, 3rd August for clean glassy fun on the SE swell. Then, if you’ve got patience, Monday morning, 17th August is the heavy-hitter – strong, long-period groundswell, clean wind, and proper power. Worth the wait.
– Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon morning, min 11°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat morning, min 11°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SE 10 | SE 12 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 10 | ESE 7 | E 11 | E 10 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | S 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | E 7 | E 8 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
404 | 672 | 384 | 284 | 101 | 46 | 43 | 82 | 89 | 56 | 46 | 45 | 57 | 98 | 123 | 123 | 88 | 65 | 40 | 42 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | off | glassy | on | off | glassy | on | glassy | glassy | on | glassy | glassy | on | cross |
High Tide | 10:24PM1.48m | 11:04AM1.22m | 11:02PM1.38m | 11:51AM1.26m | 11:46PM1.26m | 12:45PM1.29m | 00:41AM1.13m | 1:48PM1.33m | 1:50AM1.01m | 2:58PM1.40m | 3:13AM0.94m | 4:09PM1.49m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:08PM0.24m | 4:56AM0.10m | 4:54PM0.30m | 5:31AM0.12m | 5:47PM0.36m | 6:11AM0.16m | 6:53PM0.42m | 6:59AM0.20m | 8:14PM0.44m | 7:58AM0.24m | 9:44PM0.40m | 9:08AM0.26m | 11:04PM0.30m | |||||||
— | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | |
5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 15 | 19 | 18 | 15 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 16 |
Feels °C | 15 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 15 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | SE 12 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | E 8 | ESE 7 | E 11 | E 10 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | S 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | E 7 | E 8 |
404 | 672 | 384 | 284 | 101 | 45 | 43 | 82 | 89 | 56 | 46 | 41 | 57 | 98 | 123 | 123 | 88 | 65 | 40 | 42 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 14 | E 16 | E 15 | E 15 | E 8 | SE 10 | SSE 10 | NE 4 | S 6 | S 6 | S 7 | S 8 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 10 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | S 9 | ENE 4 |
269 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 46 | 46 | 9 | 5 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 45 | 38 | 18 | 19 | 8 | 26 | 20 | 25 | 6 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 7 | S 22 | S 21 | S 21 | E 14 | E 14 | E 10 | SE 9 | E 18 | E 18 | SSE 9 | E 16 | E 16 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | E 15 | E 8 | ESE 8 | SE 9 | SSE 9 |
5 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 17 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 10 | 4 | 10 | 23 | 21 | 15 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NE 3 | — | — | NE 2 | WSW 2 | S 6 | — | — | — | — | NE 6 | — | ENE 8 | NNE 4 | — | ENE 3 | — |
— | — | — | 3 | — | — | 2 | 1 | 55 | — | — | — | — | 26 | — | 52 | 5 | — | 2 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 16 | 0 | 0 | 249 | 0 | 0 | 172 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 108 | 0 | 0 | 108 | 0 | 0 | 199 | 7 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Port Macquarie | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Sawtell Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Sawtell provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Sawtell can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Sawtell 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 (Sawtell) 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 Sawtell 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.
Are you planning a holiday in Port Macquarie? If you are looking for accommodation near Sawtell, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Port Macquarie, consider staying in Coffs Harbour which is 9 km (6 miles) away. Alternatively, find information about places to stay and car hire in South Grafton which is 61 km (38 miles) away











