Sawtell-The Island Surf Break

Lat Long: 30.37° S 153.11° E

Sawtell-The Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 pm 11 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 11 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 16 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 11s period, SE swell with 3,344 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 12 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 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 12) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 9s. 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 3.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Sun 12th Jul)4ft (1.2m) 10s
Best Surf 1PM (Thu 16th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 8s
Most Powerful10PM (Sat 18th Jul)11ft (3.5m) 11s

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


G’day, Rusty here. Alright, we’ve got a long look ahead for Sawtell – The Island. It’s an advanced-level break out here, fairly consistent but exposed to the open ocean. Optimum swell is from the southeast.

We’re kicking off on Sunday the 12th of July with a small but workable pulse. The morning has a clean 3ft swell from the ESE with a moderate period of 10 seconds, and a light WNW breeze keeping things cross-off. The combined energy is sitting at 205 (moderate). It’s not big, but it’s tidy. Afternoon drops a touch to 3ft, still clean with that southwest breeze.

Monday the 13th starts off glassy—dead flat calm, with only 2ft of ESE swell at a short 8-second period. Energy is weak at 58. It’s surfable if you’re desperate for a glide, but there’s no push. That glassy morning is the best part, but the afternoon gets destroyed by an onshore ENE breeze.

Tuesday and Wednesday morning are flat and not worth a mention. Then Wednesday afternoon the 15th sees a jump to 7ft from the SSE, but it’s accompanied by 30 km/h SSW winds. Combined energy jumps to 401 (strong), but those winds and a short period of 7 seconds make for poor conditions. Not your day.

Thursday the 16th and Friday the 17th get heavy. We’re looking at 8ft to 12ft of SSE/SE swell—big numbers, with combined energy hitting 1570 and 2341 (very strong). The winds are cross-off, but the swell is simply too big for this break. This is expert-only territory. Even then, it’s a warning.

Saturday the 18th and Sunday the 19th hold that massive swell, easing from 12ft down to 8ft on the Sunday afternoon. That Sunday afternoon is the first real standout in this run. The swell is 8ft from the ESE, period 10 seconds, with glassy conditions and just a light SE breeze. Combined energy is 1509 (very strong). For experienced surfers, this is excellent. But again, this is not for beginners—over 2.5m (8ft) is expert-only.

Monday the 20th is still solid at 7ft from the ESE, clean with light NW winds, and 750 combined energy (moderate to strong). It’s a very good session for those who know what they’re doing.

Now, here’s the best on offer for the whole period: Tuesday the 21st of July. The morning session is the standout. We’ve got 8ft of ESE groundswell with a long period of 12 seconds—that’s quality, energy-filled waves with longer waits between sets. The wind is WSW at 10 km/h, offshore and clean. Combined energy is 1516 (very strong). This is a proper groundswell event for an exposed, advanced break. The afternoon on Tuesday gets clouded by onshore wind and tricky tide, so hit the dawn session.

After that, we’re into a steady drop. Wednesday the 22nd has 6ft in the morning but those winds pick up. By Thursday the 23rd, it’s back to 4ft, clean with light SSW winds, and combined energy at 569 (moderate). It’s okay, but nothing special.

We get a bit of a glassy morning on Saturday the 25th with 4ft from the SE and a 10-second period—clean, small, but surfable for the patient. After that, the energy drops off hard. Sunday the 26th and Monday the 27th see weak 2ft E swells with short periods and poor winds. No real surf on offer to close out the window.

So, to wrap it up: the first week is mostly small and clean, then there’s a massive pulse mid-month that’s only for experts. The Tuesday 21st July morning is your best bet—big groundswell, offshore wind, serious energy. The Sunday 19th afternoon is also a cracker for experienced surfers.

Stay safe out there. — Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sun morning, min 11°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 27mm), heaviest during Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri morning, min 12°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds.

Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Sat
18
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
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)
1.3
ESE
10
1
ESE
10
0.9
ESE
9
0.7
SE
9
0.5
ESE
8
0.5
S
8
0.3
S
8
0.2
ESE
7
0.2
S
7
0.2
E
10
0.2
SSE
12
2.1
SSE
7
2.5
SSE
9
2.5
SSE
8
3
SE
8
3
SE
9
3
SE
9
3.5
SE
9
3
SE
10
3.5
SE
10
3.5
ESE
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
320
200
154
79
40
30
13
5
4
8
13
397
928
926
1492
1575
1373
1646
1831
2137
2799
Wind (km/h)
10
NW
10
WNW
5
SW
10
WSW
0
WNW
15
ENE
10
W
5
SSW
10
E
10
W
25
SSW
30
SSW
30
SSW
25
SSE
30
S
20
SSE
20
S
25
S
20
S
20
S
25
S
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
glassy
on
off
cross-off
on
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
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
9:42PM1.82m
10:15AM1.17m
10:27PM1.70m
11:05AM1.19m
Low Tide
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
4:23AM-0.02m
3:56PM0.11m
5:05AM0.02m
4:47PM0.21m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
light rain
mod rain
light rain
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
6:41
6:41
6:41
6:41
6:41
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:01
5:02
5:02
5:04
5:04
5:05
5:05
 mm
1
3
5
4
2
7
4
1
4
2
2
Temp °C
13
21
20
13
16
16
13
17
16
14
15
15
14
16
16
16
17
17
15
17
17
Feels °C
11
18
18
10
14
14
11
14
13
11
10
10
8
10
10
11
13
11
12
13
12
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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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