Sawtell-The Island Surf Break

Lat Long: 30.37° S 153.11° E

Sawtell-The Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 pm 09 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Sawtell-The Island sea temperature is
19.7° 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 9 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 16 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 17 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 13s period, SSE swell with 8,205 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 10 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 10s 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 Friday (Jul 10) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 14s. 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 5.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 17) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 16) at 10PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Fri 10th Jul)6ft (1.8m) 10s
Best Surf 4AM (Thu 16th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 9s
Most Powerful 4AM (Fri 17th Jul)16ft (5.0m) 13s

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


G’day, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s shaping up at Sawtell-The Island over the next couple of weeks. This is an exposed, advanced-level break, so we’re looking at proper waves for those who’ve got the skills.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a little lull to start. The first proper call is Friday morning, July 10, with a solid 6ft SE swell pushing in at a very long 10 seconds. The wind is a cross-off from the SSW at 9 mph, and the break is clean. Combined energy is sitting at 784 (moderate), which is enough to get you excited. Friday morning is the standout for the early window – it’s got good energy and clean conditions.

Saturday morning, July 11, is a real beaut. The swell drops a touch to 4ft from the SE, still with that lovely 10-second period, but the wind goes totally glassy – zero mph from the NW. That’s about as clean as it gets. Combined energy is 513 (moderate). This is the pick of the first week for sure. Just note that crowds are possible here sometimes, so you might have a few mates to share it with.

Sunday morning, July 12, is still fun. Swell is 3ft from the ESE at 10 seconds, wind is a light cross-off from the W at 6 mph – clean. Energy’s down to 205 (weak), so it’s more of a small-wave cruiser session.

After that, things go quiet. From Monday afternoon, July 13, right through to Wednesday, July 15, surf is tiny or poor – we’re looking at waves under 2ft and weak energy (76 or less). Not much to write home about.

Then, from Thursday, July 16, the swell absolutely hammers in. We’re talking 10ft to 21ft from the SSE, with periods up to 13 seconds. Combined energy goes through the roof – 1887, 2386, and even 23759 (strong to very strong). But here’s the thing: the guidance says it’s too big for this break. This is an advanced spot, and over 8ft is only for experts. These waves are for the brave or the crazy. Winds are cross-off and clean, but you’d want to be very experienced to even think about it. For most, this will be a viewing day.

We get a brief window again on Monday morning, July 20. Swell is back to a manageable 6ft from the SE at 10 seconds, combined energy 720 (moderate). Glassy winds from the NNW at 3 mph – that’s a clean, solid session. That’s your second standout, but it’s more than a week away and forecasts can shift.

Tuesday morning, July 21, has a nice 4ft SE swell with clean offshore winds from the SW at 9 mph. Energy is 241 (moderate). Good for a paddle, but nothing huge.

The run from Wednesday, July 22, through to Friday, July 24, is back to tiny or flat – waves under 2ft, energy under 100 (weak). A proper dry spell.

Then Saturday morning, July 25, is a beauty on the far horizon. The swell jumps to 6ft from the SSE with a very long 15-second period. Combined energy is 1454 (strong). Glassy winds from the N at 3 mph. This is classic groundswell – long period, great shape, but it can be a bit straight at beach breaks. Sawtell-The Island is a reef setup, so it should handle it nicely. This is a high-quality call for experienced surfers, but it’s over two weeks out, so keep an eye on it.

Overall, the best on offer is Saturday morning, July 11 – that glassy 4ft SE swell is pure magic. The Monday morning, July 20, session is another strong contender for clean, solid waves in a more moderate size. Everything else is either too small, too big, or just average.

Stay stoked,
Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Warm (max 20°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon afternoon, min 10°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon morning, fresh winds from the SSW by Wed afternoon).

Friday
10
Saturday
11
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thu
16
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
2
3
3
1
2
2
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
!
!
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.8
SE
10
1.8
SE
10
1.8
SE
10
1.6
SE
10
1.3
SE
10
1.5
ESE
11
1.3
ESE
10
1
ESE
10
0.9
ESE
10
0.8
SE
9
0.6
S
8
0.5
S
8
0.5
S
8
0.2
S
9
0.6
SSE
7
0.4
SSE
8
0.7
SSW
7
1.1
S
7
2.5
S
8
3
SSE
10
3.5
SSE
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
636
626
731
530
287
563
327
200
142
93
48
31
31
7
36
19
47
127
946
1887
2386
Wind (km/h)
15
SW
15
SSW
10
SSE
10
WSW
0
NW
10
NNE
10
NW
10
W
5
SW
10
WSW
0
WSW
15
NE
10
WSW
0
WSW
10
NE
10
W
25
SSW
35
SSW
30
SSW
30
S
30
S
Wind State
off
cross-off
cross
off
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
off
glassy
on
off
glassy
on
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
3:24AM1.06m
4:26PM1.48m
4:38AM1.02m
5:25PM1.62m
5:46AM1.02m
6:21PM1.74m
6:48AM1.05m
7:15PM1.83m
7:44AM1.08m
8:06PM1.88m
8:36AM1.12m
8:55PM1.88m
9:26AM1.15m
Low Tide
9:34AM0.17m
11:05PM0.31m
10:34AM0.15m
00:12AM0.20m
11:33AM0.12m
1:11AM0.09m
12:30PM0.07m
2:04AM0.01m
1:24PM0.03m
2:53AM-0.03m
2:15PM0.02m
3:39AM-0.04m
3:06PM0.05m
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:43
6:43
6:43
6:43
6:41
6:41
6:41
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:00
5:01
5:01
5:02
5:02
5:04
5:04
 mm
1
1
1
4
2
1
Temp °C
14
16
16
13
17
17
14
20
20
14
16
17
13
16
16
14
15
15
13
16
16
Feels °C
11
13
14
11
14
15
12
17
19
11
14
14
10
14
13
11
8
7
7
10
9
  • Map Icons:
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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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