Sawtell Surf Break

Lat Long: 30.37° S 153.10° E

Sawtell Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 am 02 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Sawtell sea temperature is
19.4° C
0.6° 

Sawtell surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


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 0.4m 3s period and expected on Monday (Aug 03) at 10PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Sun 2nd Aug)5ft (1.6m) 12s
Best Surf10PM (Sun 2nd Aug)5ft (1.6m) 12s
Most Powerful10PM (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’ll be straight with you – we’ve got a bit of a flat spell coming up for Sawtell. The first solid surf worth getting out of bed for isn’t until Sunday morning, the 2nd of August. Before that, it’s a waiting game.

Sunday morning, the 2nd of August, is the standout in this whole 16-day window. We’ve got a clean 4ft SE groundswell rolling in, with a period of 9 seconds, and the combined energy is sitting at a solid 524 (moderate wave energy). The wind is glassy from the SSW at 3 mph, so the point at Sawtell will be smooth as silk. Water temp is 67°F, which is about average for this time of year. This is a classic point break session – clean, lined up, and offering proper waves for the advanced crew. If you’re a beginner, 4ft is fine, so don’t stress. The swell direction is right on the optimum from the SE, so the break will be working well. Just be aware that crowds are sometimes an issue here, so get in early.

The rest of the first week is pretty average. Sunday afternoon turns onshore, and Monday morning the 3rd of August has a smaller 4ft SE swell, but the glassy NNE wind at 3 mph keeps it clean. That’s probably your second-best session, but the combined energy drops to 397 (still moderate). Monday afternoon and Tuesday are a write-off with onshore winds and weak swell.

From Tuesday the 4th of August through to the end of the forecast, it’s mostly small, weak surf. The swell hovers around 2ft to 3ft, with combined energy mostly under 200 (weak to low-moderate). Winds are a mixed bag – some clean windows on the 10th, 11th, and 12th of August with glassy or cross-off breezes, but the swell is just too small to get excited about. The period is short too, mostly 8–10 seconds, so it’s windswell territory.

There’s a few mornings with clean conditions and tiny waves – like the 5th, 8th, and 16th of August – but don’t expect anything worth paddling out for unless you’re desperate for a splash. The best of those is maybe the 16th of August, Sunday morning, with 3ft E swell and light offshore winds, but it’s still a long way off and the energy is low (148).

Overall, if you want a real surf, Sunday morning the 2nd of August is your one true standout. The rest is a long, quiet stretch. Don’t hold your breath for the second week – it’s all small and inconsistent. For kite surfers, the afternoon onshore winds might offer something, but for paddle surfing, it’s a lean run.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon morning, min 10°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Fri night. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri morning, min 11°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
2
Monday
3
Tuesday
4
Wednesday
5
Thursday
6
Friday
7
Saturday
8
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
1
3
2
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
SE
9
1.4
SE
10
1.6
SE
12
1.3
SE
10
1.2
SE
10
0.9
ESE
9
0.6
ESE
8
0.5
ESE
7
0.6
E
11
0.7
E
10
0.6
E
9
0.6
E
8
0.6
S
8
0.6
S
9
0.8
SSE
8
0.9
SSE
10
0.8
SSE
9
0.7
SSE
9
0.6
SSE
9
0.9
ENE
7
0.6
E
7
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
272
404
672
384
292
145
49
31
83
94
57
47
49
55
96
163
115
88
64
76
39
Wind (km/h)
5
SSW
10
ENE
10
WNW
5
NNE
15
NNE
10
NW
5
WNW
15
NNE
10
WSW
0
SE
10
ENE
10
W
5
SE
15
ENE
5
W
5
NNE
20
NE
5
NW
0
NE
25
NE
10
NNW
Wind State
glassy
on
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
off
glassy
on
off
glassy
on
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross
High Tide
10:22AM1.19m
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
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:33
6:31
6:31
6:30
6:30
6:28
6:28
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:14
5:15
5:15
5:15
5:15
5:16
5:17
 mm
1
Temp °C
17
17
15
19
18
15
18
19
15
16
15
12
15
16
14
18
18
15
19
19
15
Feels °C
15
14
13
16
15
12
16
16
12
13
12
10
12
13
12
15
15
14
16
15
13
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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

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