Surf Forecasts:
The Pass surf forecast from 13 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 15 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 17 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 7s period, SE swell with 569 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 15 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s period with SSE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for The Pass this week:
The surf forecast for The Pass over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at The Pass in the next 16 days are 2.3m 7s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 10s period and expected on Friday (Aug 14) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Pass over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright crew, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what we've got coming down the line for The Pass over the next couple of weeks. It's going to be a bit of a slow burner this time around. The good news is we've got a solid run of surf to look forward to, but you're gonna have to be patient.
First things first, the water temp is sitting right on 69°, which is bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there. The first few days, though, are a total write-off. From Thursday morning right through the weekend and into early next week, we're looking at tiny waves. The swell is barely a ripple, with combined energy readings as low as 32 — weak and not worth paddling out for. It's a dry spell, so save your energy.
Things finally start to wake up on Sunday the 16th of August. The swell bumps up to 6 ft to 6 ft from the SSE. The energy is starting to show (combined energy of 327-424), but the wind is a bit messy and the surf is just *marginal*. It's better than nothing, but the real meat and potatoes are still a day away.
The standout period is Monday the 17th and Tuesday the 18th of August. This is where we get the best surf of the whole outlook. The swell pushes into the 7 ft to 8 ft range from the SE and ESE, and the energy really cranks up (combined energy of 508 to 602 — that's strong!). This is proper groundswell with 8-second periods, plus we've got clean offshore winds from the SE. The Pass is a point break, so that longer period swell from that direction will wrap in nicely, giving us some good shape and long rides. However, at that size (over 7 ft), this isn't a beginner's day. This one’s for the experienced crew who know how to handle a bit more power. There could be a few people out, so be ready to share.
After that solid pulse, we fade out again. Wednesday the 19th and Thursday the 20th see the swell drop back down to 3 ft to 4 ft (weak to moderate energy around 185-307). Winds stay light or offshore, so it'll be clean, but the size is ordinary. Friday through to the following Monday is much the same story — small, clean, but very average. The swell tries to pick up again around Sunday the 23rd of August with a touch over 4 ft from the ENE (moderate energy around 330), but the wind is cross-onshore, which will chop it up.
After that, the last few days of the outlook (24th to 28th) are back to small stuff again. There's a pulse of *very* long-period swell (14 seconds) on Friday the 28th from the SSE, but with a 25 mph wind, it'll be a wild, blown-out mess. Not one for the paddle surfer — that'll be a kite session day.
So, the real call to make: set your alarm for Monday the 17th and Tuesday the 18th. That's your window for the best waves — clean, solid, and powerful.
Stay frothing.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu morning, min 13°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Sun night. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon afternoon, min 14°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
61 | 43 | 43 | 43 | 28 | 229 | 147 | 135 | 188 | 326 | 226 | 459 | 569 | 469 | 544 | 493 | 464 | 203 | 133 | 158 | 192 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross | off | cross |
High Tide | 8:32PM1.88m | 8:51AM1.27m | 9:11PM1.78m | 9:34AM1.31m | 9:48PM1.64m | 10:16AM1.33m | 10:23PM1.46m | 11:00AM1.32m | 10:58PM1.28m | 11:48AM1.28m | 11:35PM1.11m | 12:42PM1.24m | 00:20AM0.96m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:57PM-0.05m | 3:05AM-0.01m | 2:42PM-0.02m | 3:40AM0.01m | 3:26PM0.07m | 4:12AM0.05m | 4:11PM0.18m | 4:44AM0.11m | 4:57PM0.32m | 5:17AM0.18m | 5:49PM0.45m | 5:52AM0.26m | 6:54PM0.56m | ||||||||
6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | |
— | 5:21 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 5 | 5 | — | 4 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 3 |
Temp °C | 18 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 16 |
Feels °C | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 9 | ENE 9 | SSE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | E 10 | SSE 17 | E 9 | S 10 | S 9 | ESE 13 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 8 |
81 | 153 | 309 | 450 | 28 | 229 | 28 | 29 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 16 | 29 | 42 | 44 | 45 | 17 | 203 | 133 | 158 | 192 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | NE 9 | ENE 9 | SSE 15 | S 20 | SSE 19 | SSE 18 | SSE 18 | SSE 17 | S 15 | S 16 | S 14 | SE 11 | SE 13 | E 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 |
61 | 43 | 43 | 43 | 3 | 28 | 22 | 8 | 36 | 62 | 61 | 58 | 4 | 5 | 32 | 30 | 27 | 143 | 105 | 91 | 105 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 6 | NNE 7 | NE 10 | NE 9 | N 7 | SSE 19 | S 19 | S 16 | N 8 | E 15 | ESE 9 | E 14 | E 13 | S 16 | E 13 | E 14 | S 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 7 | SE 10 | ESE 11 |
4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 34 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 45 | 3 | 4 | 12 | 49 | 28 | 58 | 12 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 3 | — | — | S 10 | S 9 | — | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | — | — | — | — |
2 | — | — | 652 | 364 | — | 147 | 135 | 188 | 326 | 226 | 459 | 569 | 469 | 544 | 493 | 464 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 13 | 2 | 2 | 13 | 0 | 2 | 53 | 13 | 2 | 13 | 53 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Coast - New South Wales | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the The Pass Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for The Pass provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at The Pass can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our The Pass 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 (The Pass) 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 The Pass 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.
The Pass is 26 km (16 miles) from Ballina. If you plan a holiday in North Coast - New South Wales, look for hotels and other accommodation in Ballina. Ballina has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











