Surf Forecasts:
Sawtell-The Island surf forecast from 28 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 31 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 12s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 31 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 12s period, S swell with 1,022 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 30 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 11s 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 Thursday (Jul 30) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m and 6s 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 12s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 31) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Friday (Jul 31) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Thu 30th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Fri 31st Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Fri 31st Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Sawtell-The Island over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking for Sawtell-The Island over the next couple of weeks.
We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but it’s not all doom and gloom. For the first few days, the swell is tiny and the conditions are on the poor side, so it’s really best to just keep the board in the car and wait.
The first real highlight comes rolling in on the morning of Friday, 31st July. That’s the standout of the whole run. We’re looking at a solid 6ft swell coming from the S, with a long 12-second period – that’s some proper groundswell energy. The combined energy is pumping at (1567), so it’s got plenty of push. The wind is a clean cross-off from the SSW at 31 km/h, and the break is described as clean. This is an advanced spot, and with that size, it’s definitely for experienced surfers only. The optimum swell direction is SE, and this S swell will wrap in nicely. The water temperature is about average for the time of year.
Saturday morning, the 1st of August, is still a decent option. Swell drops a touch to 5ft from the SSE, period a solid 10 seconds, combined energy (434). The cross-off wind from the SW at 24 km/h keeps it clean. Good shape for those who want a slightly less heavy session than Friday.
Sunday morning, the 2nd of August, is also worth a paddle. We’ve got 5ft of SSE swell, 10-second period, combined energy (495), and the wind goes glassy – dead calm from the SSW at 8 km/h. The report says “glassy”, so you’re looking at a mirror-like surface. That’s a magic window for a few hours.
The following week has some promising mornings, but nothing that reaches the same level. Monday the 3rd has a glassy start with 4ft SE swell, but it’s smaller. The morning of Friday the 7th of August has a clean 5ft SSE swell, 11-second period, and glassy conditions, which is a solid option. Saturday the 8th also has a glassy morning with 4ft SSE swell. Then the run tails off into smaller, more ordinary surf.
There’s a gap of a few days of poor quality surf from the 4th to the 6th, and again later in the second week, but that’s pretty normal for this area. The forecast for the far end, around the 13th of August, shows a moderate 5ft SE swell with glassy conditions, but it’s a bit far out to get too excited about.
Overall, the clear standout is Friday morning, 31st July. Get on it if you can handle the size.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed morning, min 10°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon morning, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | ||||||||||||||
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 7 | E 6 | SE 7 | ENE 6 | S 7 | SSE 12 | SSE 9 | S 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | ESE 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 37 | 18 | 11 | 10 | 130 | 115 | 149 | 1022 | 439 | 256 | 427 | 327 | 286 | 385 | 462 | 368 | 256 | 185 | 130 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | glassy | on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 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 | |||||||
 |  | | | | |  | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 19 | 19 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 19 | 19 | 17 |
Feels °C | 13 | 16 | 16 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 7 | E 6 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | SSE 12 | SSE 9 | SSE 12 | ENE 7 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | ESE 9 |
| kJ | 37 | 16 | 10 | 10 | 4 | 115 | 149 | 522 | 11 | 256 | 427 | 327 | 286 | 385 | 462 | 368 | 256 | 185 | 130 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 4 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | SSE 6 | E 12 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 11 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | SSE 15 | SE 14 | SE 15 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 6 | E 15 | ESE 12 |
| kJ | 4 | 18 | 11 | 7 | 3 | 8 | 15 | 17 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 21 | 102 | 104 | 9 | 34 | 16 | 4 | 13 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 7 | S 9 | E 12 | ESE 6 | S 15 | E 13 | E 13 | ENE 8 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | ENE 6 | E 8 | ENE 8 | E 16 | E 16 | E 15 | S 21 | E 14 |
| kJ | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 4 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | S 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | S 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 3 | NW 3 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 130 | 93 | 60 | 1022 | 439 | 89 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 1 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 173 | 143 | 30 | 16 | 102 | 0 | 0 | 108 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 7 | 0 | 244 | 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
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