Sawtell-The Island Surf Break

Lat Long: 30.37° S 153.11° E

Sawtell-The Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 pm 30 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 30 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 2 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 9s period, SE swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 2 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 13s period, SE swell with 940 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 31 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 9s 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 Friday (Jul 31) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 7s. 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 1.7m 13s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 02) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 01) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Fri 31st Jul)3.5ft (1.0m) 9s
Best Surf 7AM (Sun 2nd Aug)4.5ft (1.4m) 9s
Most Powerful 7PM (Sun 2nd Aug)5.5ft (1.7m) 13s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s break it down for the Sawtell area over the next couple weeks.

First off, the spot that’s looking best for the run is Sawtell-The Island, a reefy point that loves a south-east swell. Water temp is normal for winter, so nothing crazy – just your regular cold-water kit.

Friday the 31st of July starts us off with 6ft south swell, 12-second period, and a clean cross-off breeze. Combined energy is strong (1178), so there’s plenty of push, but the surf comment says it’s marginal, maybe tide-dependent. Advanced guys only. Afternoon goes to 5ft SSE with moderate cross-shore chop – not the pick.

Saturday the 1st of August, morning is clean again with 5ft SSE swell, energy lower at 401, but still cross-off. Afternoon bumps to 7ft SSE – that’s solid, energy at 1257, but with a gentle cross-shore chop.

Sunday the 2nd of August morning is the best early call. Glassy, 4ft SE swell, near-calm wind, energy at 551. Clean and small but very fun for the advanced surfer who knows the break. Afternoon goes onshore with a 5ft SE groundswell and 13-second period – long lines but messy.

Monday the 3rd is small and onshore – skip it.

Tuesday the 4th morning is tiny: 2ft east swell, glassy, but only 92 energy. Not worth it unless you’re logging. Wednesday and Thursday mornings are glassy but under 3ft – weak but clean.

Friday the 7th of August morning shows a pulse – 3ft SSE, clean cross-off, energy 208. Small but clean.

Saturday the 8th of August morning is the big standout. 5ft SSE swell, 10-second period, clean cross-off wind, energy 834. That’s your best swell of the run for The Island – punchy and clean.

Sunday the 9th morning is glassy with 4ft SE – fun but smaller.

Then it goes quiet until Wednesday the 12th of August afternoon – 3ft ESE swell, 13-second period, clean offshore wind from the WSW, energy 570. That’s a goldilocks session: clean, lined up, and offshore.

The 13th to 15th are blown out by 19-22 mph SSW winds. Waves are 4-5ft but it’s howling cross-off – better for kites than paddle boards.

So top picks: Sunday the 2nd of August morning for small clean waves, and Saturday the 8th of August morning for the best combo of size, cleanliness, and energy. Wednesday the 12th afternoon is a gem if you can make it.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri morning, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Tue morning, min 10°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
31
Saturday
1
Sunday
2
Monday
3
Tuesday
4
Wednesday
5
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
1
1
1
3
2
3
1
3
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
SSE
10
1.7
S
12
1.6
SSE
11
0.9
SSE
10
1.5
SSE
10
2
SSE
10
1.5
SE
9
1.3
SE
9
1.6
SE
13
1.6
SE
12
1.3
SE
10
1.2
SE
10
0.8
SE
9
0.5
SE
10
0.7
E
7
0.5
E
7
0.8
S
7
0.4
SSE
11
1
SSE
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
214
765
551
156
391
748
373
294
933
672
384
286
99
45
52
27
56
39
298
Wind (km/h)
15
SW
15
SSW
20
SSE
20
SW
15
SSW
15
SSE
10
SW
5
SSW
10
ENE
10
WNW
5
N
20
NE
10
NW
5
NNW
15
NE
15
WSW
0
NNW
10
ENE
10
WNW
Wind State
off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
on
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
on
off
glassy
on
cross-off
High Tide
9:07AM1.10m
9:16PM1.60m
9:44AM1.15m
9:49PM1.56m
10:22AM1.19m
10:24PM1.48m
11:04AM1.22m
11:02PM1.38m
11:51AM1.26m
11:46PM1.26m
12:45PM1.29m
00:41AM1.13m
Low Tide
3:21AM0.12m
2:48PM0.17m
3:52AM0.10m
3:27PM0.20m
4:23AM0.09m
4:08PM0.24m
4:56AM0.10m
4:54PM0.30m
5:31AM0.12m
5:47PM0.36m
6:11AM0.16m
6:53PM0.42m
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:33
6:33
6:33
6:31
6:31
6:30
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:13
5:13
5:14
5:15
5:15
5:15
 mm
2
Temp °C
14
17
16
14
17
17
15
17
17
15
19
18
15
20
19
15
16
15
12
Feels °C
11
13
11
10
13
14
13
15
14
14
16
14
12
17
16
11
12
12
10
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
How to use the Wavefinder 
submit an eyeball surf report

Quick surf report for Sawtell-The Island:

join our community of surf reporters

FREE! Surf-Forecast.com widget for your website

The surf report / weather widget below is available to embed on third party websites free of charge and provides a summary of our Sawtell-The Island surf forecast. Simply grab the html code snippet that we provide and paste it into your own site. You can choose your preferred language and metric/imperial units for the surf forecast feed to suit users of your site. Click here to get the code.


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

Nearest locationNearest