Sawtell-The Island Surf Break

Lat Long: 30.37° S 153.11° E

Sawtell-The Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 am 10 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Sawtell-The Island sea temperature is
19.7° C
0.2° 

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


Sawtell-The Island surf forecast from 10 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 14 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 10s period, S swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 14 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 10s period, S swell with 666 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 10 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s period with ENE swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Sawtell-The Island this week:

The surf forecast for Sawtell-The Island over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 10) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Sawtell-The Island in the next 16 days are 1.9m 10s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 14) 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 0.9m 6s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Mon 10th Aug)3ft (0.9m) 8s
Best Surf 4AM (Fri 14th Aug)6ft (1.9m) 10s
Most Powerful 4AM (Fri 14th Aug)6ft (1.9m) 10s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Sawtell-The Island over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's shaping up for Sawtell.

Alright mate, it's a bit of a slow start, but there’s some light at the end of the tunnel for the old Island. The first few days are pretty nipped in the bud. There's a real gap of nothing good until Wednesday the 12th.

That Wednesday morning, the 12th of August, is where we finally see a pulse. The wind drops out completely and it goes glassy. The swell is small, only 3ft from the SSE with an 11-second period, but that longer period gives it some shape. The combined swell energy is moderate (211). It's the pick of the early week for a sneaky session, but don't expect much size.

Friday the 14th morning is where it starts to get interesting. We’ve got a solid 5ft S swell, period of 9 seconds, and clean conditions with a light cross-offshore breeze out of the SSW. The wave energy jumps right up (633), which is a sign the ocean’s got some grunt. This is the standout of the first week, but after that it gets a bit messy in the arvos.

Then, look, the very end of the run is where the real buzz is. Thursday the 20th and Friday the 21st of August are looking seriously good. Thursday morning has a clean 6ft swell from the ESE, light SSW winds, and a huge energy reading (764). Friday morning gets even better: a clean 7ft E swell (659), with only a slight air moving. That’s well overhead, with nice lines from the east. This is a solid groundswell period at 9 to 10 seconds. At 7ft, it's getting up there, but a clean east swell at Sawtell-The Island with a light offshore breeze is a proper treat. The optimum swell direction is SE, so this is coming in a touch east of that, but with that quality and wind, it's the best on offer by a long shot. Keep an eye on this window; it's promising but remember it's a long way out.

The water temp is running around 68°, which is pretty normal for the time of year.

Be aware, crowds can be an issue here at times, especially when it's good.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Mon morning. Warm (max 21°C on Tue morning, min 12°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu morning, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
10
Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
Sunday
16
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
1
1
0
1
2
0
1
1
0
3
3
0
1
1
0
0
0
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)
1.4
ENE
8
1.1
ENE
8
0.9
ENE
8
0.7
ENE
8
0.6
ENE
8
0.6
ENE
10
0.8
SSE
11
0.7
SSE
9
0.7
S
9
0.9
SSE
8
1.3
SSE
8
1.7
S
8
1.6
S
9
1.4
S
8
1.2
SSE
9
1.5
S
8
1.2
SSE
7
0.7
S
7
0.7
ESE
5
0.7
S
6
1
ESE
6
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
243
157
103
73
57
71
150
86
87
96
201
373
398
253
213
297
144
44
23
36
68
Wind (km/h)
25
NNW
25
NW
10
NW
10
WSW
10
ESE
10
WNW
0
ESE
15
NE
10
WSW
15
SSW
20
SSE
10
WSW
15
SSW
20
SSE
20
SW
20
SSW
25
S
15
SW
25
S
20
S
20
SSE
Wind State
cross
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
off
cross-off
cross
off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
High Tide
6:11PM1.71m
6:42AM1.06m
7:03PM1.79m
7:32AM1.14m
7:50PM1.83m
8:19AM1.21m
8:34PM1.80m
9:03AM1.28m
9:16PM1.71m
9:47AM1.32m
9:56PM1.57m
10:29AM1.34m
10:34PM1.41m
Low Tide
11:25AM0.16m
1:01AM0.08m
12:23PM0.09m
1:48AM0.01m
1:15PM0.04m
2:30AM-0.04m
2:04PM0.02m
3:09AM-0.05m
2:52PM0.04m
3:45AM-0.02m
3:38PM0.11m
4:20AM0.03m
4:25PM0.20m
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:26
6:24
6:24
6:24
6:22
6:22
6:20
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:19
5:19
5:20
5:20
5:21
5:22
5:22
 mm
1
5
8
Temp °C
17
18
16
21
21
15
19
18
15
19
17
14
18
17
15
18
18
14
18
17
15
Feels °C
13
12
12
19
19
13
16
15
11
15
12
11
15
14
13
14
13
10
13
14
11
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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-The Island Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Sawtell-The Island provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Sawtell-The Island can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Sawtell-The Island 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-The Island) 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-The Island 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-The Island, 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 62 km (39 miles) away

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