Sawtell-The Island Surf Break

Lat Long: 30.37° S 153.11° E

Sawtell-The Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 am 15 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Sawtell-The Island sea temperature is
19.9° C
0.3° 

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 15 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, ESE swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, ESE swell with 2,804 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period with ESE 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 Saturday (Jul 18) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 3.0m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 20s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Sawtell-The Island in the next 16 days are 3.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 8s period and expected on Friday (Jul 17) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Sat 18th Jul)11ft (3.5m) 10s
Best Surf10PM (Sat 18th Jul)11ft (3.5m) 10s
Most Powerful 4AM (Sun 19th Jul)11ft (3.5m) 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 on the cards for the next couple of weeks.

To be honest, we’ve got a bit of a slow start and then a proper pulse of energy coming through, but the timing and conditions are going to be a serious test. The standout by far is a window around Tuesday, July 28th, but you’ve got to be patient and you’ve got to be skilled.

First up, we’re looking at Sawtell – The Island. It’s an advanced spot, fairly consistent, exposed to the swell, with an optimum direction from the southeast. The water temp is sitting at 67.8°F, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, nothing unusual there.

The first few days are a write-off. Wednesday the 15th has tiny swell, only 0.3ft with a very long 16-second period, but the combined energy is a weak 9 – basically a lake. It stays poor through to the 17th, with small, junky short-period swell around 6.9ft to 8.2ft but the wind is a cross-offshore breeze, which keeps it clean, but the waves aren’t offering anything worthwhile. The energy is moderate (502 to 859), but the comments all say marginal.

We hit Saturday the 18th and the swell starts to build. The morning is a bit lumpy with a fresh cross-shore breeze, but by Saturday afternoon the swell is 8.2ft from the ESE at 10 seconds, and the energy jumps to 1675 – that’s a proper moderate push. The wind is still a cross-offshore fresh breeze, so it’s clean, but the forecast says it’s still marginal for this break.

Now, Sunday the 19th is where it gets big. 11.5ft from the ESE, 10-second period, and the energy is massive – 2792 in the morning and 4863 in the afternoon. That’s strong to very strong. The wind is cross-shore and fresh, creating some lumpy chop. The report says the swell is too big for this break. That’s expert territory only, and even then, it’s going to be a wild, powerful beast. Not for beginners.

Monday the 20th is still big, with 9.8ft in the morning (energy 3384), dropping to 7.9ft in the afternoon but still a cross-shore breeze. Still too big for the average surfer.

Then we get a sweet spot. Tuesday, July 21st: the swell drops to 5.9ft from the east, 10-second period, and the wind swings to a light cross-offshore (3 mph). The energy is 696, moderate, and the comment says “expect very good surf conditions.” That’s the best window for a decent surfer. The wind is light, clean, and the swell has shape.

Wednesday, July 22nd morning is glassy – 0 mph wind, 4.3ft east swell, 10-second period, energy 333. That’s a lovely, clean morning for a longboard or a funboard. The afternoon goes onshore and turns to junk.

Thursday, July 23rd morning is also glassy, 3.6ft east swell, 9-second period, energy 206. Clean and small, but a nice little session.

Friday, July 24th morning has a clean 3.6ft east swell with a cross-offshore breeze, energy 213. Solid little wave for a cruiser.

The standout, and I mean the real standout, is Tuesday, July 28th. The morning session is a cracker: 5.6ft from the south, with a very long 12-second period. That’s a proper groundswell. The energy is 1286 – moderate to strong. The wind is a light cross-offshore breeze, and the report says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” This is a true point-break or reef-style wave, and with that long period, the sets will be clean, powerful, and well-spaced. The paddle out will be easier between sets. This is the best wave on offer in the whole outlook. The afternoon gets chopped up by a moderate cross-shore, so get it in the morning.

After that, the swell fades. Wednesday the 29th still has a clean 3.6ft morning, but the energy is dropping. By Thursday the 30th, it’s back to 3.0ft and poor conditions.

Overall: the first week is a dud, then a big, dangerous, expert-only swell hits, followed by a few clean, smaller days, and then one absolute gem on the morning of Tuesday, July 28th. If you’re an experienced surfer and can wait, that’s your day.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Thu night. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri morning, min 14°C on Wed morning). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun morning, min 16°C on Sat morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSE on Sat morning, calm by Mon night).

Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
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
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
1
2
!
!
!
!
!
3
2
3
2
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
S
16
2.2
SSE
7
2.5
SSE
8
2.5
SSE
8
2.5
SSE
8
2.5
SE
8
2.1
SE
7
2.1
SE
7
2.3
SE
8
2.3
ESE
9
2.5
ESE
10
3.5
ESE
10
3.5
ESE
10
3.5
ESE
10
3
ESE
10
3
ESE
10
2.4
ESE
10
2.1
E
10
1.8
E
10
1.7
E
10
1.4
E
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
5
498
804
854
770
699
483
440
622
773
1338
2776
2662
2560
1667
1875
1130
900
637
569
369
Wind (km/h)
25
SSW
25
SSW
25
SSW
25
S
30
S
25
SSE
25
S
25
S
20
S
30
SSE
35
S
30
S
30
SSE
25
SSE
20
SE
15
SSE
15
SSE
5
SE
5
SSW
10
E
5
WNW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
8:55PM1.88m
9:26AM1.15m
9:42PM1.82m
10:15AM1.17m
10:27PM1.70m
11:05AM1.19m
11:11PM1.54m
11:56AM1.21m
11:54PM1.36m
12:49PM1.22m
00:40AM1.19m
1:45PM1.23m
1:31AM1.04m
Low Tide
2:15PM0.02m
3:39AM-0.04m
3:06PM0.05m
4:23AM-0.02m
3:56PM0.11m
5:05AM0.02m
4:47PM0.21m
5:45AM0.08m
5:42PM0.32m
6:25AM0.15m
6:42PM0.43m
7:05AM0.22m
7:51PM0.51m
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
light rain
mod rain
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
mod rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:41
6:41
6:41
6:41
6:41
6:39
6:39
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:04
5:04
5:05
5:05
5:06
5:06
5:07
 mm
2
3
1
6
2
2
2
6
3
1
2
Temp °C
16
15
14
17
17
16
18
18
16
17
17
17
18
18
17
18
18
17
18
18
16
Feels °C
10
9
8
11
11
11
12
12
12
11
11
11
13
14
13
16
16
16
17
17
16
  • 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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