Sawtell-The Island Surf Break

Lat Long: 30.37° S 153.11° E

Sawtell-The Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 am 28 Jul 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 28 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 2 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, SE swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 31 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 11s period, S swell with 922 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 30 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 7s period with S 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 Thursday (Jul 30) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 12s 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 1.9m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 31) 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 1.0m 6s period and expected on Friday (Jul 31) at 10PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Thu 30th Jul)3.5ft (1.0m) 7s
Best Surf 4AM (Sun 2nd Aug)3ft (0.9m) 16s
Most Powerful 4PM (Fri 31st Jul)6ft (1.9m) 11s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s see what’s happening at Sawtell-The Island over the next couple of weeks.

We start off slow on Tuesday morning, the 28th of July. The surf is a tiny 3ft from the SSE, glassy, but just ordinary, with weak energy (92). Tuesday afternoon gets ruined by a 20 km/h cross-on wind. Wednesday the 29th is even smaller at 2ft, and while glassy in the morning, it’s just not happening. Thursday the 30th of July sees a bit of life with 4ft from the SSE, but the period is short at 7 seconds, and the energy is moderate (167). Clean, but still just surfable.

Then Friday morning, the 31st of July, we get a hint of what’s coming. The wave height is only 3ft, but the swell is from the SSE with a long 13-second period—that’s proper groundswell. The energy is moderate (355), and with light cross-offshore winds, it’ll be clean.

Saturday the 1st of August is average with 5ft, but the afternoon cleans up with light cross-off winds and a bit more energy (385). The real standout is Sunday morning, the 2nd of August. We’ve got a 3ft swell from the SE with a massive 15-second period—groundswell perfection. The energy is strong (624), the wind is glassy, and the surf should be very good. This is a point break, and that long period will wrap in beautifully. The crowds are “sometimes,” so you might see a few, but it’s worth it. The water temperature is 67°, which is about average for this time of year.

Sunday afternoon gets a bit choppy with a 15 km/h cross-on, so the morning is the call. Monday the 3rd of August has a solid 4ft from the SE with a 12-second period, but a 20 km/h cross-off keeps it clean, and the energy is moderate (404). A solid option.

The second week gets bigger. Wednesday the 5th of August has 6ft from the SSE, with strong energy (752), but a strong 25 km/h cross-off wind. Thursday the 6th of August jumps to 8ft from the SSE, with 1502 energy—very strong. At 8ft, this is for experts only, and the wind is fresh at 30 km/h. Big and powerful. Friday the 7th of August stays big at 7ft to 7ft, with very high energy (1142). Not for beginners.

Then we get another standout. Sunday morning, the 9th of August, is glassy with a 5ft swell from the east, 10-second period, and moderate energy (462). Clean and beautiful. But the best of the second week is Monday morning, the 11th of August. We’ve got 5ft from the east, a 12-second period, energy of 688 (moderate-strong), and glassy conditions. Very good surf. Tuesday morning the 12th of August is also glassy, with the same 5ft and an 11-second period, just a touch more cross-on.

So, the pick of the bunch is Sunday morning, the 2nd of August, with that glassy, long-period groundswell. The other big one to circle is Monday morning, the 11th of August, for another glassy, clean session. The rest of the time, it’s either too small, too windy, or too big for the average punter. Don’t sleep on Friday morning, the 31st of July, if you want a taste of the good stuff.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue morning, min 10°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sat morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Friday
31
Saturday
1
Sunday
2
Monday
3
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
2
2
2
1
1
2
2
3
0
3
1
0
0
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
SSE
8
0.7
SSE
8
0.6
SSE
7
0.5
ENE
6
0.4
SE
7
0.4
ENE
6
1.2
SSE
7
1
SSE
7
1.1
SSE
10
0.8
SSE
13
1.9
S
11
1.3
SSE
10
1.4
SSE
9
1.4
SE
10
1.2
SE
9
1
SE
15
1.5
SE
13
1.4
SE
12
1.2
SE
12
1.1
SE
12
0.8
SE
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
88
56
37
18
11
11
160
111
255
195
922
308
329
376
247
424
792
599
396
293
159
Wind (km/h)
0
N
20
NE
10
W
5
W
10
NE
15
SSW
15
SSW
15
SSE
10
WSW
10
SSW
15
SSE
15
SW
15
SW
10
S
10
WSW
5
NNE
15
NE
10
W
20
S
35
S
25
SSW
Wind State
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
7:35PM1.56m
7:54AM1.01m
8:10PM1.60m
8:30AM1.06m
8:44PM1.62m
9:07AM1.10m
9:16PM1.60m
9:44AM1.15m
9:49PM1.56m
10:22AM1.19m
10:24PM1.48m
11:04AM1.22m
11:02PM1.38m
Low Tide
12:53PM0.23m
2:16AM0.20m
1:33PM0.19m
2:49AM0.15m
2:10PM0.17m
3:21AM0.12m
2:48PM0.17m
3:52AM0.10m
3:27PM0.20m
4:23AM0.09m
4:08PM0.24m
4:56AM0.10m
4:54PM0.30m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:35
6:35
6:35
6:33
6:33
6:33
6:31
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:10
5:12
5:12
5:13
5:13
5:14
5:15
 mm
1
Temp °C
19
19
15
19
18
15
14
14
12
15
15
12
14
16
15
17
17
15
17
16
12
Feels °C
17
16
13
16
15
11
10
10
9
12
11
8
11
14
13
14
14
13
13
9
6
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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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