Sawtell-The Island Surf Break

Lat Long: 30.37° S 153.11° E

Sawtell-The Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 pm 25 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Sawtell-The Island sea temperature is
19.6° C
0.4° 

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 25 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 31 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 12s period, S swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 31 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 12s period, S swell with 2,757 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 25 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 11s period with SSE 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 25) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Sawtell-The Island in the next 16 days are 3.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 31) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 30) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Sat 25th Jul)4ft (1.2m) 11s
Best Surf 1AM (Fri 31st Jul)10ft (3.0m) 12s
Most Powerful 1AM (Fri 31st Jul)10ft (3.0m) 12s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here, looking at what’s on the menu for the next couple of weeks. It’s a bit of a slow start, but there are some solid days to get excited about.

We’ve got a bit of a wait on our hands. The first real session we can talk about is coming up on Saturday afternoon, July 25th, at Sawtell-The Island. It’s not pumping, but it’s clean. We’re looking at a 4ft SSE swell with a 12-second period. The combined energy is moderate at 504. The wind is glassy out of the east at just 3 mph, so the surface will be smooth. The water temp is sitting at 67°, which is about average for this time of year. For a Saturday, this is a nice little window to get wet.

Sunday morning, July 26th, is even better for the conditions. The swell has eased a touch to 4ft, still from the SSE and still a 12-second period, with glassy SSW winds at 3 mph. The wave energy is moderate at 344. This is a genuine glass-off session before the onshore kicks in later. The tide might be a factor in the afternoon, so get out early.

The standout in this forecast is the morning of Friday, July 31st. This is a big one. A 10ft S swell is rolling in with a 12-second period, pumping a massive 4120 in combined energy. The wind is a clean cross-off from the SSW at 12 mph. Now, this is important: at over 8ft, this is expert territory only. It’s too big for beginners. But for the crew that can handle it, the setup at Sawtell-The Island with that direction and clean wind will be firing. This is the one to circle.

The following Saturday morning, August 1st, is still a good option for experienced surfers. The swell drops to 7ft from the S, with a 10-second period and strong energy (1415). The wind is a clean cross-off again. The numbers are still big, but manageable for the advanced crew.

Then we get a real treat on Sunday morning, August 2nd. A 5ft SE swell with a 10-second period and moderate energy (759). The wind is glassy, dead calm from the NNE. This is a classic, clean, user-friendly morning. A great chance for a long session.

Looking further out, the morning of August 9th also looks promising. A 6ft ESE swell with a 9-second period, moderate energy (580), and clean cross-off winds. A solid Sunday morning option, but it’s a long way off, so keep an eye on it.

Overall, the first week is slow, but it builds to a serious peak on July 31st. Don’t sleep on the glassy mornings leading up to it, either. That’s the real window for clean waves.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue morning, min 11°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Wed afternoon, min 8°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Sat
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Friday
31
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
2
1
2
1
0
1
1
0
1
0
0
0
1
2
!
!
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)
1.3
SSE
12
1.1
SSE
11
1.1
SSE
12
1.2
SSE
11
1.2
SSE
11
1
SSE
9
1
SSE
9
0.9
SSE
9
0.8
SSE
8
0.7
SSE
8
0.6
ENE
6
0.6
ENE
6
0.6
E
6
0.4
ENE
6
1
S
7
1.7
S
11
3
S
12
3
S
12
2.2
SSE
11
1.9
SSE
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
469
260
333
340
302
168
161
116
78
55
31
29
25
10
112
726
2757
2713
1183
749
Wind (km/h)
5
E
10
W
5
SSW
10
E
10
WSW
5
S
5
SE
10
W
5
NNW
15
NE
10
W
5
WSW
5
ENE
15
WSW
15
SSW
20
SSE
15
WSW
20
SSW
25
SSE
15
SW
Wind State
glassy
off
glassy
on
off
cross-off
cross
off
glassy
on
cross-off
off
glassy
off
cross-off
cross
off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
High Tide
5:31PM1.37m
5:48AM0.88m
6:17PM1.44m
6:35AM0.92m
6:57PM1.51m
7:16AM0.97m
7:35PM1.56m
7:54AM1.01m
8:10PM1.60m
8:30AM1.06m
8:44PM1.62m
9:07AM1.10m
9:16PM1.60m
Low Tide
00:24AM0.39m
11:24AM0.33m
1:05AM0.32m
12:11PM0.28m
1:42AM0.26m
12:53PM0.23m
2:16AM0.20m
1:33PM0.19m
2:49AM0.15m
2:10PM0.17m
3:21AM0.12m
2:48PM0.17m
3:52AM0.10m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:37
6:37
6:35
6:35
6:35
6:33
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:08
5:09
5:09
5:10
5:12
5:12
5:13
 mm
1
Temp °C
16
12
16
16
14
16
16
14
17
18
15
19
20
13
15
16
11
17
17
12
Feels °C
14
9
13
14
12
14
15
14
16
16
13
16
18
8
10
10
6
12
12
8
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  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
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  • 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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