Sawtell-The Island Surf Break

Lat Long: 30.37° S 153.11° E

Sawtell-The Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 pm 02 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Sawtell-The Island sea temperature is
19.3° C
0.6° 

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 2 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 3 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 12s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 3 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 12s period, SE swell with 672 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 3 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 12s period with SE 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 03) at 1AM. 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-The Island in the next 16 days are 1.6m 12s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 03) at 1AM. 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 TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Mon 3rd Aug)5ft (1.6m) 12s
Best Surf 1AM (Mon 3rd Aug)5ft (1.6m) 12s
Most Powerful 1AM (Mon 3rd Aug)5ft (1.6m) 12s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, this is Sawtell’s The Island we’re looking at, and it’s a pretty quiet stretch ahead. The water’s sitting at 67°, which is about normal for this time of year – nothing unusual there.

The first few days are a bit of a write-off, honestly. Sunday the 2nd has a tiny 5 ft SE swell, but onshore east winds and marginal conditions make it a no-go. Monday the 3rd morning is the first real spark – the swell drops a little to 4 ft from the SE, but the wind goes glassy with a light northerly. That’s clean, and the wave energy is moderate (397). It’s the best of the early run, but it’s small. After that, we’re looking at a long gap of tiny, weak surf. From Tuesday the 4th right through to Saturday the 15th, it’s mostly knee-high slop with onshore or cross-shore winds, low energy readings (often under 100), and poor conditions. There’s a brief window on Monday the 10th morning with a light offshore WSW wind and a 3 ft E swell, but it’s still very ordinary.

Then, things get interesting. The standout is Monday the 17th morning. A solid 4 ft SSE groundswell with a very long period of 17 seconds, combined with a light cross-offshore SSW wind, makes for excellent conditions for experienced surfers. The wave energy is strong (1119). This is a proper groundswell with real push, so it’ll be best at this point break, as long-period swells can straighten out on beach breaks. The afternoon sees the swell holding at 4 ft from the SSE, period 16 seconds, but the wind swings cross-on, so the morning is the call.

The Sunday the 16th also shows building energy, with a 4 ft SSE swell and 14-second period by the afternoon, but it’s still marginal. The real diamond is that Monday the 17th morning session.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon morning, min 11°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri 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
Rating
(10 max)
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)
1.4
SE
10
1.6
SE
12
1.3
SE
10
1.2
SE
10
0.8
SE
9
0.5
SE
10
0.6
ESE
7
0.6
E
11
0.7
E
10
0.6
E
9
0.6
E
8
0.6
E
8
0.6
S
9
0.7
SSE
10
0.8
SSE
10
0.8
SSE
10
0.7
SSE
9
0.6
SSE
9
0.6
E
7
0.6
E
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
404
672
384
284
101
46
43
82
89
56
46
45
57
98
123
123
88
65
40
42
Wind (km/h)
15
E
10
WNW
5
N
15
NNE
10
NW
5
NW
20
NE
10
WSW
5
S
10
E
5
WSW
5
S
15
ENE
5
WNW
5
SSE
15
ENE
5
W
5
S
15
NE
10
NNW
Wind State
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
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
clear
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
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
2
3
Temp °C
16
15
19
18
15
19
19
16
16
16
14
16
16
15
17
17
15
17
18
16
Feels °C
14
13
16
15
13
17
15
14
14
13
13
14
13
14
16
15
14
15
15
15
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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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