
Surf Forecasts:
Sawtell-The Island surf forecast from 5 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 5 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 6 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SSE swell with 3,162 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 5 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s 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 Sunday (Jul 05) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 13s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 16s is also forecast. 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 3.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 06) 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 0.5m 3s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 12) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Sun 5th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Sun 5th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Mon 6th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Sawtell-The Island over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's break down what's happening at Sawtell-The Island (New South Wales).
Water temp is sitting around 68°F, which is pretty standard for the season.
Sunday the 5th kicks off with tiny 2ft SSE swell – weak energy and not worth paddling out for. The afternoon sees a jump to 6ft from the SSE with strong energy, but the wind is up and conditions are questionable.
The big news is a massive southerly groundswell arriving Monday the 6th through Wednesday the 8th. This is for experts only. We're talking 10ft to 12ft of SSE/SE swell with a long 11-second period. The combined energy is off the charts, going from 1321 up to a massive 4186. The cross-off wind keeps it from being total chaos, but these waves are way too big for anyone who isn't dialed in. The long period will mean long lulls and then serious sets.
By Thursday the 9th and Friday the 10th, the swell drops to a still- hefty 7ft from the SE. Friday morning is the cleanest of the bunch with light cross-off winds and a 7ft SSE swell – the best quality for the experienced crowd.
From the 11th onwards, the party is over. Saturday has a clean 4ft SE swell with glassy morning conditions, but the energy is low. By Sunday the 12th, we're down to 4ft and glassy again, but it's just ordinary.
Starting Monday the 13th, it's flat for days. We're looking at 2ft and smaller, with the energy in the double digits. Nothing to recommend through to the end of the period.
So, the only real call is the big swell window from the 6th to the 8th, but it's strictly for the experts. After that, take the time off. Keep watching the forecasts.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun afternoon, min 14°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 5 | Monday 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 9 | SSE 12 | SSE 13 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SE 11 | SSE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 11 | SE 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
66 | 1103 | 3162 | 1304 | 1484 | 1539 | 1906 | 2602 | 2774 | 2235 | 1627 | 1704 | 962 | 906 | 738 | 800 | 694 | 509 | 307 | 604 | 416 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:38AM1.05m | 11:33PM1.42m | 12:28PM1.10m | 00:17AM1.33m | 1:23PM1.16m | 1:10AM1.23m | 2:22PM1.25m | 2:13AM1.13m | 3:24PM1.36m | 3:24AM1.06m | 4:26PM1.48m | 4:38AM1.02m | 5:25PM1.62m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:11PM0.36m | 6:16AM0.16m | 6:05PM0.42m | 6:58AM0.16m | 7:10PM0.46m | 7:44AM0.17m | 8:27PM0.46m | 8:37AM0.18m | 9:49PM0.41m | 9:34AM0.17m | 11:05PM0.31m | 10:34AM0.15m | 00:12AM0.20m | ||||||||
6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | |
— | 4:59 | — | — | 4:59 | — | — | 5:00 | — | — | 5:00 | — | — | 5:00 | — | — | 5:00 | — | — | 5:01 | — | |
mm | — | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 2 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 14 |
Feels °C | 11 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 9 | E 8 | E 16 | E 15 | E 14 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | — | SSE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | S 23 | SE 10 | SE 10 | S 19 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 11 | SE 10 |
66 | 20 | 5 | 17 | 35 | 33 | 33 | — | 2774 | 1567 | 1627 | 1246 | 962 | 10 | 738 | 640 | 7 | 509 | 307 | 604 | 416 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 13 | ESE 16 | — | SSW 16 | — | — | — | — | ESE 14 | — | ESE 12 | S 23 | S 18 | S 21 | SE 13 | — | ESE 14 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | SSE 9 |
19 | 29 | 48 | — | 51 | — | — | — | — | 384 | — | 518 | 11 | 6 | 9 | 28 | — | 21 | 178 | 347 | 82 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 12 | E 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 20 | — | S 18 | S 18 | S 17 | S 19 |
30 | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | — | 7 | 6 | 5 | 7 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 5 | SSE 12 | SSE 13 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 9 | SE 10 | — | SSE 10 | SE 10 | — | — | — | SSW 3 |
29 | 1103 | 3162 | 1304 | 1484 | 1539 | 1906 | 2602 | 2358 | 2235 | 1465 | 1704 | 898 | 906 | — | 800 | 694 | — | — | — | 6 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 36 | 30 | 108 | 531 | 30 | 30 | 75 | 30 | 2 | 23 | 2 | 16 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 108 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Port Macquarie | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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










