Surf Forecasts:
Sawtell-The Island surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 10s period, SE swell with 3,209 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s 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 Saturday (Jul 18) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 21s. 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 4.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 13ft (4.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Sawtell-The Island over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey, Rusty here. Let’s look at what’s on tap for Sawtell–The Island over the next couple weeks. This spot takes south-east swell and handles it best when it’s clean. Right now we’ve got a slow start, then a short burst of good waves around mid next week, followed by a long flat spell.
Overall pattern
From today (Thursday 16th) through Saturday 18th, the swell runs 8 to 10 feet, but the wind is cross-off and gusty, and the surf is either marginal or too big for this break. Wave energy is moderate to strong (876–1171), but it’s not quality surf – you’d be struggling. Sunday 19th pumps to 11–12 feet (energy 2368), but again too much for The Island, with a fresh south wind. Not worth it.
Then things turn around. Monday 20th drops to 8 feet with a 10-second period, cross-off breeze, and cleaner conditions starting to show. The real standout is Tuesday 21st July morning: 6 feet of east swell, 10-second period, light cross-off from the SSW, clear skies – almost glassy. Energy is moderate (708) and the wave comment says “expect very good surf conditions.” That’s your window. The break is advanced and fairly consistent, but you’ll have it quiet if you’re skilled enough. Wednesday 22nd morning is also good – 4 feet, glassy, calm – though smaller and the period drops to 9 seconds. Thursday 23rd morning has a tiny 4-foot east swell, glassy again, but energy only 209 – better for a log.
From Friday 24th onward the swell drops below 3 feet and the period goes to 8 seconds or less. Winds switch to onshore or cross-onshore, and the surf turns poor. Energy falls under 100 for many slots. You’re looking at a long stretch of near-flat conditions through the rest of the month – nothing to get excited about. Tuesday and Wednesday mornings are the only real highlights in this whole 16-day outlook.
Forecasts can change, but right now that Tuesday morning is the one to circle.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Wed night. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu morning, min 14°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun morning, min 14°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Sun morning, calm by Tue afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wed 22 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 8 | ESE 9 | SE 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 746 | 876 | 846 | 699 | 552 | 574 | 516 | 1136 | 1223 | 3209 | 2285 | 1224 | 1357 | 1133 | 914 | 730 | 663 | 504 | 377 | 312 | 249 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | off | glassy | on |
High Tide | 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 | 2:44PM1.24m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 7:48AM0.29m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | |  | | | | |  | | | | |  | |  | | | |
 | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — |
 | — | — | 5:04 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 |
mm | 6 | — | 1 | 6 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 18 |
Feels °C | 8 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 19 | S 18 | SSW 18 | S 18 | S 14 | S 21 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | S 19 | E 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 |
| kJ | — | — | 7 | 26 | 66 | 54 | 16 | 35 | 1223 | 2267 | 61 | 1224 | 1357 | 1133 | 914 | 730 | 663 | 504 | 377 | 312 | 249 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 19 | NE 8 | NE 8 | — | — | — | S 21 | S 19 | S 24 | S 18 | SSE 16 | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 |
| kJ | — | — | 7 | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | 35 | 30 | 11 | 96 | 51 | 34 | 53 | 48 | 41 | 39 | 33 | 18 | 18 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | S 12 | — | — | — | — | — | S 24 | S 23 | S 17 | — | — | — | S 15 | S 15 | S 15 | — | S 14 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | 11 | 6 | — | — | — | 4 | 4 | 4 | — | 4 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 8 | S 7 | SE 10 | ESE 10 | SSE 6 | S 6 | S 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 746 | 876 | 846 | 699 | 552 | 574 | 516 | 1136 | 277 | 3209 | 2285 | 245 | 112 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 16 | 30 | 189 | 189 | 309 | 399 | 30 | 30 | 489 | 399 | 353 | 189 | 30 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
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
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