Sawtell-The Island Surf Break

Lat Long: 30.37° S 153.11° E

Issued: 9 am 04 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Sawtell-The Island sea temperature is
19.9° C

Slightly cooler than normal

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 4 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 6 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 7 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 11s period, SSE swell with 3,495 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 4 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 12s 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 Saturday (Jul 04) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 8s. 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 Tuesday (Jul 07) 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 1.8m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 05) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Sat 4th Jul)3ft (0.9m) 12s
Best Surf 1AM (Mon 6th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 8s
Most Powerful10PM (Tue 7th Jul)13ft (4.0m) 11s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Alright, Rusty here, let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks at Sawtell – The Island.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a bit of a mixed bag. The water’s sitting at about 68°, which is pretty much bang on average for the season, so nothing wild there. The real story is that this spot is an exposed point break that loves a solid S to SSE groundswell, and it’s about to get hammered. We’ve got a lot of swell energy coming through, but the timing and size are going to make it tricky for most surfers.

The first run of decent waves kicks off on the morning of Saturday the 4th. It’s clean, with a light cross-off breeze, and a S swell around 5ft coming in at 8 seconds. The wave energy is moderate at 424, and while it’s not huge, it’s a fun, clean start for the advanced crew.

Things ramp up quick. By Sunday the 5th and into Monday the 6th, the swell is building. Sunday morning is a bit messy with a fresh breeze, but by Monday we’re seeing solid 8ft S swell with the energy jumping into the thousands (1029 and 1279). The wind stays cross-off, keeping it clean, but that size is starting to push it out of beginner territory. Over 8ft and we’re talking expert-only.

The real standout, and I mean the one to circle on the calendar, is the morning of Tuesday the 8th of July. That morning is packing a 10ft swell from the SSE, with a long period of 11 seconds and massive wave energy of 3179. It’s an advanced-only affair—way too big for the average punter. The wind is cross-off and moderate, so the lines should be holding. But honestly, at that size on The Island, you need to know what you’re doing. This is a high-performance, expert wave. Expect crowds, ‘cause spots like this don’t stay empty when they’re pumping.

We then get a string of days with similar size through to the 10th, and then a drop-off. The morning of Saturday the 11th sees the swell ease to a more manageable 5ft from the SE, with an 8-second period and cleaner conditions on a light cross-off. The energy drops back to 436. That’s a good window for the strong intermediate who wants a piece without the terror.

Then we hit a quiet spell. From Sunday the 12th through Tuesday the 14th, the swell plummets. The morning of the 12th is glassy, with a tiny 3ft ESE swell, and I mean glassy—N wind at 3 mph with no chop. That’s a longboard or a sup session if you’re keen, but there’s not much push. By the 14th, it’s almost flat, with a 1ft wave.

After that lull, the next notable pulse arrives on the 15th of July. We’re back into 8ft SSE swell, but the wind is up around 15 to 18 mph from the SSW. It’s cross-off, but fresh. That keeps it in the “marginal” category for me—big, but a bit on the windy side.

The true second week highlight is the morning of Sunday the 19th of July. That’s 8ft of SSE groundswell at 11 seconds, with a gentle cross-off breeze, and wave energy at 1228. The combination of a clean, moderate-sized groundswell with light wind is the best balance of power and quality in the whole outlook. This is the one for experienced surfers who want a proper session without the 10ft+ chaos. Again, expect some company in the water.

So, to sum it up: the standout is the morning of Tuesday the 8th of July for the big-wave chargers, and the morning of Sunday the 19th of July for the experienced surfer wanting quality size with cleaner conditions. There’s a quiet gap from the 12th to the 14th with barely a ripple, but it’s not a dead zone forever.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds.

Saturday
4
Sunday
5
Monday
6
Tuesday
7
Wednesday
8
Thursday
9
Friday
10
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
0
1
0
0
!
3
2
3
!
!
!
3
!
4
!
2
3
3
2
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.5
S
8
0.8
SSE
8
0.7
SSE
10
0.7
SSE
9
0.3
ESE
13
3
SSE
8
2.5
SSE
9
2.5
SSE
9
2.5
SE
10
3
SSE
11
3
SE
11
3.5
SSE
11
2.5
SE
11
3
SSE
11
2.5
SE
11
3
SSE
10
2.2
SE
10
2.1
SE
10
2
SE
11
1.9
SE
11
1.6
SE
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
248
90
106
90
31
1021
1022
1184
1200
2161
1906
3266
1687
2071
1724
1658
932
833
898
860
593
Wind (km/h)
10
SSW
10
SSE
10
SW
20
SSW
25
SSW
25
S
25
S
25
S
20
SSW
25
SSW
30
S
20
SSW
20
SSW
25
S
25
SSW
20
SSW
25
S
15
SW
10
SSW
10
SSE
10
WSW
Wind State
cross-off
cross
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
off
High Tide
10:52AM1.02m
10:54PM1.49m
11:38AM1.05m
11:33PM1.42m
12:28PM1.10m
00:17AM1.33m
1:23PM1.16m
1:10AM1.23m
2:22PM1.25m
2:13AM1.13m
3:24PM1.36m
3:24AM1.06m
4:26PM1.48m
Low Tide
4:25PM0.31m
5:39AM0.17m
5:11PM0.36m
6:16AM0.16m
6:05PM0.42m
6:58AM0.16m
7:10PM0.46m
7:44AM0.17m
8:27PM0.46m
8:37AM0.18m
9:49PM0.41m
9:34AM0.17m
11:05PM0.31m
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
part cloud
clear
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:43
6:43
6:43
6:43
6:43
6:43
6:43
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
4:58
4:59
4:59
5:00
5:00
5:00
5:00
 mm
2
3
1
1
2
1
2
1
3
3
2
Temp °C
15
15
13
16
16
15
16
16
15
16
17
14
16
17
13
17
16
13
16
16
13
Feels °C
13
13
11
11
11
10
11
11
11
11
11
10
12
12
8
12
12
10
14
14
12
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.1
SSE
7
0.8
SSE
8
0.7
SSE
10
0.7
SSE
9
0.4
E
8
0.3
E
12
0.3
E
14
0.3
E
14
0.3
E
13
2.5
SE
10
0.2
E
12
3
SE
11
2.5
SE
11
2.5
SE
11
2.5
SE
11
2.4
SE
10
0.1
S
23
2.1
SE
10
2
SE
11
1.9
SE
11
1.6
SE
11
Energy kJ
140
90
106
90
20
23
37
35
28
1299
11
2073
1687
1514
1528
1160
10
833
898
860
593
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
E
8
0.5
E
8
0.5
E
8
0.4
E
8
0.3
ESE
13
0.2
E
16
0.3
SSW
16
0.1
S
20
0.4
SE
16
0.6
ESE
14
1.3
ESE
12
0.5
SSE
16
0.1
E
12
0.1
E
12
0.1
S
21
Energy kJ
29
31
28
19
31
20
51
8
61
145
441
144
3
3
9
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
ESE
13
0.4
ESE
12
0.4
ESE
11
0.3
E
10
0.2
E
10
0.2
E
10
0.1
S
21
0.1
S
20
Energy kJ
58
49
41
19
8
9
9
8
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.5
S
8
0.5
S
6
0.6
S
5
1.8
SSE
6
3
SSE
8
2.5
SSE
9
2.5
SSE
9
2.5
SE
10
3
SSE
11
3
SE
11
3.5
SSE
11
3
SSE
11
2.5
S
11
3
SSE
10
2.2
SE
10
Energy kJ
248
15
15
222
1021
1022
1184
1200
2161
1906
3266
2071
1724
1658
932
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
1
2
4
3
3
4
4
5
4
5
4
4
5
4
3
4
4
4
3
Distance (km)
0
2
0
2
75
108
108
531
16
75
75
2
16
75
2
2
36
2
16
75
2
Best forecast wave conditions in Port Macquarie
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
2
4
4
4
5
4
5
5
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
3
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
6
5
4
7
4
4
4
5
4
5
6
5
5
4
4
4
5
4
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
7
5
6
5
9
7
5
6
8
7
4
5
9
8
9
6
5
5
8
5
8
  • Map Icons:
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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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