Sawtell-The Island Surf Break

Lat Long: 30.37° S 153.11° E

Sawtell-The Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 am 14 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Sawtell-The Island sea temperature is
20.0° C
0.2° 

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 13 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 19 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 11s period, ESE swell with 2,671 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period with E 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 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 19s. Another secondary swell of 1.8m 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 3.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 4AM. 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 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Sun 19th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 10s
Best Surf 1AM (Sun 19th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 10s
Most Powerful 4AM (Sun 19th Jul)11ft (3.5m) 11s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a good long look at what’s coming down the line for Sawtell-The Island. It’s a bit of a mixed bag to start, but there’s some real gold waiting for us if we’re patient.

The first few days are a write-off, honestly. Tuesday the 14th and Wednesday the 15th are tiny, with swell barely pushing 1 ft, so the board stays in the car. The water temp is sitting right on 68°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

We finally see some life on Thursday the 16th, but it’s a messy 8 ft of SSE swell with a short period of 8 seconds and a bunch of cross-shore wind. The combined energy is moderate (714), but it’s not worth getting excited about. Friday and Saturday the 18th are similar—plenty of swell (5 ft to 8 ft) but the wind is kicking up a cross-chop, making it ugly. The energy jumps up to moderate and strong levels (863), but the quality just isn’t there.

Now, Sunday the 19th is where it gets interesting, but only for the experienced crew. We’ve got a solid 10 ft ESE groundswell rolling in, with a period of 11 seconds. The combined energy is massive (2357), but the wind is a clean cross-offshore. This is a big, powerful swell, and at this size, it’s for experts only. The break is exposed and fairly consistent, but if you’re not comfortable in overhead-plus waves, sit this one out.

The real standout, the one you’re waiting for, is Saturday the 25th. The weather is clear, and the wind goes glassy in the morning with a WSW breeze of just 3 mph. That’s as clean as it gets. We’re looking at a solid 7 ft ESE groundswell with a very long period of 12 seconds, pumping in with strong energy (1182). This is a long-period groundswell, so it’ll be lined up and powerful, and at The Island, that usually means some proper waves. It’s going to be busy though—crowds are sometimes an issue here, so get in early. For the experienced surfer, this is your session.

The week following that stays pretty good, with Sunday the 26th offering clean 6 ft ESE swell and super light winds, and Monday the 27th bringing glassy conditions again, though the swell drops to 5 ft. The energy stays moderate (916 down to 601). By Tuesday the 28th and Wednesday the 29th, the swell fades to a more manageable 3 ft to 4 ft, but with clean offshore winds, it’ll be a fun, smaller wave option for a cruise.

Rusty out.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Thu morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed morning, min 12°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue afternoon, fresh winds from the SSW by Wed afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 40mm), heaviest during Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 15°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
!
!
!
!
2
3
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
S
8
0.3
S
7
0.2
E
10
0.1
S
16
2
SSE
8
2.5
SSE
9
2.4
SSE
8
2.1
SSE
7
2.1
SE
7
1.9
SE
7
1.7
ESE
7
1.6
ESE
8
1.6
E
8
2.5
SE
8
3
E
10
3
ESE
11
3
ESE
10
3
ESE
10
2.5
E
10
2.2
E
10
2
E
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
5
9
8
5
450
953
714
465
428
365
279
273
308
824
1555
2292
2216
1588
1478
961
802
Wind (km/h)
10
SSW
5
ESE
10
WSW
25
SSW
30
S
25
SSW
25
S
30
SSE
20
S
20
SSE
20
SSE
25
S
25
SSE
25
SSE
25
S
25
S
25
S
20
SSE
15
SSE
20
SSE
10
SE
Wind State
cross-off
cross-on
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
High Tide
8:06PM1.88m
8:36AM1.12m
8:55PM1.88m
9:26AM1.15m
9:42PM1.82m
10:15AM1.17m
10:27PM1.70m
11:05AM1.19m
11:11PM1.54m
11:56AM1.21m
11:54PM1.36m
12:49PM1.22m
00:40AM1.19m
Low Tide
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
5:45AM0.08m
5:42PM0.32m
6:25AM0.15m
6:42PM0.43m
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
light rain
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
mod rain
light rain
rain showers
mod rain
light rain
rain showers
light rain
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:41
6:41
6:41
6:41
6:41
6:41
6:39
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:02
5:04
5:04
5:05
5:05
5:06
5:06
 mm
1
3
3
4
6
5
8
7
2
3
8
2
2
3
1
3
Temp °C
16
16
13
17
17
14
16
17
16
16
17
16
16
17
16
16
17
16
18
18
16
Feels °C
13
14
10
11
10
9
11
12
13
13
14
12
11
12
11
11
12
13
15
15
14
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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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