Sawtell-The Island Surf Break

Lat Long: 30.37° S 153.11° E

Sawtell-The Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 am 19 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Sawtell-The Island sea temperature is
19.8° 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 18 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 19 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 11s period, ESE swell with 3,250 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period with ESE 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 Sunday (Jul 19) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 18s. Another secondary swell of 2.1m and 7s 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 4.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 1AM. 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 6s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10AM (Sun 19th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 10s
Best Surf10AM (Sun 19th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 10s
Most Powerful 1AM (Mon 20th Jul)13ft (4.0m) 11s

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 on offer at Sawtell – The Island.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a big pulse of swell pushing in. Sunday the 19th of July is looking powerful but it’s serious – the swell is hitting 10ft in the morning from the ESE, with a period of 10 seconds, and the combined energy is a massive 2294 (moderate). The wind is a fresh 30 km/h from the south, which is cross-off, so the waves will be clean, but honestly, 10ft is already too big for most, and by the afternoon it jumps to 12ft with energy hitting 4738 (strong). This is expert territory. The water temp is 68°, which is about average for the time of year, so no drama there.

The standout session in the whole 16-day window is hands down Friday the 24th of July in the morning. The swell drops to a solid 7ft from the south, 10-second period, and the energy is 1058 (moderate). There’s a light cross-off breeze from the SSW, barely a whisper, so it’s clean. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers – the swell direction matches the optimum SE, and the break is exposed. It’s not often you get a clean, punchy 7ft wave at The Island with light wind. The crowds here are sometimes, so you might have a few others out, but it’s worth it.

The run-up to that is a bit average. Monday the 20th and Tuesday the 21st offer surf in the 5ft to 8ft range, but the wind is cross or cross-on, and the quality drops off. Wednesday the 22nd and Thursday the 23rd are small and weak, with energy under 230, and not worth the paddle.

After that Friday standout, the weekend of the 26th and 27th of July cleans up again. Sunday the 26th morning is glassy with a 3ft SSE swell, 12-second period, and energy 250 (weak). It’s clean, but small. Monday the 27th though is a beauty – all day offshore wind from the WSW, 5ft to 5ft SSE swell, 11-second period, and energy around 500 (moderate). The waves will be clean and lined up nicely.

Tuesday the 28th of July morning brings another solid pulse: 7ft from the south, 11 seconds, energy 1536 (moderate), with a light cross-off breeze. That’s another excellent session for experienced surfers, but it’s a close second to the Friday.

The rest of the outlook is a mix of smaller glassy mornings and choppy afternoons. Wednesday the 29th has a big 7ft swell from the SSE with a very long 16-second period, but the wind is cross, and the energy is 2214 (moderate). That long period will make the waves a bit fat and straight at a beach break, so it’s not the best. By the end of the first week of August, there’s a glassy morning on the 3rd with a 5ft SSE swell, 14-second period, and energy 879 (moderate) – that’s a nice clean option, but by the afternoon the swell jumps to 8ft from the south with 14-second period and energy 4055 (strong), which is only for the brave.

Overall, keep your eyes on Friday the 24th of July morning and Monday the 27th of July – those are your best shots. The rest is a lot of waiting for the right window.

– Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun morning, min 15°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Sun morning, calm by Tue afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Wed morning, min 9°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
!
!
!
2
3
2
3
1
2
1
0
1
1
0
1
4
1
2
2
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
ESE
10
3.5
ESE
10
4
ESE
11
2.5
ESE
10
2.3
E
10
1.9
E
10
1.7
E
10
1.5
E
9
1.2
E
9
1.1
E
9
1.1
E
9
1
E
9
0.9
E
8
0.8
E
8
1.6
SSE
7
2
S
10
1.4
SSE
10
1.1
SSE
9
0.9
SSE
10
0.5
SSE
14
0.8
SSE
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
1720
2621
3250
1510
1090
701
535
390
235
194
194
154
111
86
247
740
343
176
173
113
226
Wind (km/h)
30
S
30
S
20
S
15
SSE
15
SSE
10
SSE
5
SSW
5
ESE
10
WNW
5
NNW
15
NE
10
WSW
10
SSW
10
ESE
20
SSW
5
SSW
5
ENE
10
W
5
SSW
10
NE
10
WSW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross-on
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
on
cross-off
glassy
on
off
High Tide
11:56AM1.21m
11:54PM1.36m
12:49PM1.22m
00:40AM1.19m
1:45PM1.23m
1:31AM1.04m
2:44PM1.24m
2:32AM0.92m
3:44PM1.27m
3:42AM0.86m
4:41PM1.32m
4:51AM0.85m
5:31PM1.37m
Low Tide
5:42PM0.32m
6:25AM0.15m
6:42PM0.43m
7:05AM0.22m
7:51PM0.51m
7:48AM0.29m
9:11PM0.54m
8:38AM0.34m
10:30PM0.52m
9:34AM0.36m
11:34PM0.46m
10:31AM0.36m
00:24AM0.39m
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:41
6:39
6:39
6:39
6:39
6:37
6:37
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:06
5:06
5:07
5:07
5:07
5:08
5:08
 mm
2
1
Temp °C
18
17
16
18
18
17
17
17
16
21
20
16
20
19
15
13
13
10
15
15
13
Feels °C
12
11
12
15
16
15
16
16
15
19
18
15
17
17
12
10
10
8
12
12
10
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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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