Sawtell-The Island Surf Break

Lat Long: 30.37° S 153.11° E

Sawtell-The Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 pm 08 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Sawtell-The Island sea temperature is
19.6° 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 8 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 14 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 10s period, SSE swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 10s period, S swell with 782 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 9 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 9s period with E 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 Sunday (Aug 09) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Sawtell-The Island in the next 16 days are 2.1m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 7s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Sun 9th Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 9s
Best Surf 1AM (Fri 14th Aug)5ft (1.6m) 10s
Most Powerful 4PM (Thu 13th Aug)7ft (2.1m) 10s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s in store for the coming weeks at Sawtell-The Island. It’s a bit of a slow start, but there’s a real standout session brewing for the patient ones.

The first week is pretty average, with a lot of small, weak energy and tricky winds. The combined swell energy is all over the place, with many days barely pushing into the moderate range. Water temp is sitting at 67°, which is about normal for this time of year, nothing to write home about.

We kick off Saturday the 8th with a weak 3ft easterly swell, only 8 seconds of period, and cross-on wind. The energy is a measly 117 – not worth paddling out for. That trend continues through Sunday and Monday with small, junky swell and poor conditions. Monday afternoon the 10th sees a bit of a clean-up with a cross-off wind, but it’s still only 4ft from the ENE at 8 seconds – marginal at best.

Tuesday morning the 11th is the first real glimpse of hope. Glassy conditions, a light offshore breeze from the west, and a clean 2ft wave from the ENE. The period is 9 seconds, so it’s a little weak, but for a few logs this could be a fun, quiet session. The energy is only 156 though, so keep expectations low.

Then we hit a blank patch. From Tuesday afternoon through to the end of the week, the swell just doesn’t line up. It’s small, messy, or the wind is all wrong. The morning of Thursday the 13th brings a jump in size – 7ft from the south with a 9-second period and solid energy (919) – but the wind is cross-off and the report says it’s marginal. That’s a lot of power but not the quality you’d want.

The standout for the whole outlook is Friday morning the 14th. That’s the one. Glassy conditions, a light SSE wind, and a clean 4ft swell from the SSE with a 10-second period. The energy is 277, so it’s got some push. The water is calm, the wind is dead, and the wave comment says “expect good surf conditions.” This is the best on offer – clean, rideable, and uncrowded if you’re early. The swell direction is from the SSE, which is solid for this spot.

The following days are a mixed bag. Saturday morning the 15th has a clean 4ft from the south with cross-off wind, decent enough for a few, but not as good as Friday. Then we get into more rain, light wind, and small, short-period junk through the 16th to the 18th. It’s a bit of a block.

Wednesday the 19th morning shows another clean window with 4ft from the east, 8-second period, and light cross-off wind. The energy is 238 – it’s okay, but not special.

Fast forward to the second week. The real promise is on Sunday morning the 23rd. This is the one that has me talking. A 7ft swell from the ESE with an 11-second period, clean cross-off winds from the south, and a combined energy of 909 – that’s strong. The wave comment says “expect very good surf conditions.” This is a longer-period groundswell, so it’ll have some punch and better shape, but at 7ft it’s getting into the more serious territory, best for experienced surfers. The swell direction is from the ESE, which works well for The Island.

Be aware, this spot is exposed and fairly consistent, but it can get crowded sometimes. On a good clean day like the 23rd, expect company.

So, the short version: the first week is mostly a write-off. Friday morning the 14th is the early pick – clean, glassy, and fun. But the real standout, the one you want to circle, is Sunday morning the 23rd – bigger, cleaner, and powerful. Everything else is just filler. Keep an eye on that date.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Mon morning. Warm (max 21°C on Sun morning, min 13°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat afternoon, fresh winds from the N by Sun night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Wed morning, min 10°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Wed night, calm by Fri morning).

Sat
8
Sunday
9
Monday
10
Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
Friday
14
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
0
0
0
0
1
2
1
0
1
0
0
0
2
2
3
2
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
E
8
1
E
9
1
E
9
0.9
E
9
1.4
NE
8
1.3
ENE
8
1.2
ENE
8
0.8
ENE
9
0.7
ENE
9
0.7
ENE
8
0.7
ENE
9
0.6
E
9
0.6
E
9
0.5
E
9
2.1
S
9
2.1
S
10
1.6
SSE
10
1.2
SSE
10
1
SSE
9
1
SSE
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
80
160
157
119
281
201
192
103
80
75
84
60
61
44
645
782
480
258
147
254
Wind (km/h)
10
SE
5
NNW
15
N
25
NNE
25
N
30
N
15
NW
5
WNW
5
W
15
NE
10
W
10
NNW
20
NW
25
WSW
20
SSW
20
SSE
10
WSW
5
SSE
10
SE
10
WSW
Wind State
cross-on
glassy
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
off
on
off
cross
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross
off
glassy
cross-on
off
High Tide
4:09PM1.49m
4:35AM0.94m
5:14PM1.60m
5:44AM0.99m
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
Low Tide
11:04PM0.30m
10:20AM0.23m
00:08AM0.19m
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
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:26
6:26
6:24
6:24
6:24
6:22
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:17
5:17
5:19
5:19
5:20
5:20
5:21
 mm
1
Temp °C
16
15
21
20
17
16
18
15
20
19
15
21
21
13
18
17
13
16
16
13
Feels °C
14
14
17
16
14
11
13
11
17
16
13
18
16
5
13
12
10
13
13
11
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  • 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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