Surf Forecasts:
The Pass surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s period, ENE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s period, NE swell with 196 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 7s period with ENE 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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at The Pass in the next 16 days are 1.3m 8s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 4PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Tue 25th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Pass over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a good look at what’s on offer for the next couple of weeks. It’s gonna be a bit of a mixed bag, so let’s get into it.
First up, we’re looking at The Pass. The water temp is sitting at 68°, which is just about where it should be for this time of year, nothing wild there.
The outlook starts off pretty average, to be honest. Sunday the 23rd has some small knee-to-waist high swell rolling in from the ENE, around 3ft, with a short 8-second period. The morning starts with a light cross-off breeze, so it’s clean but the energy is weak. The afternoon cleans up a bit more with a gentle offshore, but it’s still not setting the world on fire. The combined energy is only 107 for the morning and 103 for the afternoon—weak stuff.
Monday the 24th is more of the same. Morning has a tiny 2ft SSE swell thanks to a long 12-second period, giving it a bit more shape but very little push. The combined energy jumps to 157, which is moderate, but the small size means it’s a mellow one. Afternoon sees a return to 3ft from the ENE with an 8-second period.
Now, here’s the good news. If you can wait, Friday the 28th is the standout window. The morning kicks off with glassy conditions—a light S breeze at 3 mph, making it dead flat calm. The swell is 3ft from the SSE with an 8-second period, but the combined energy jumps right up to 243, giving the waves a nice punch. Sets will be more defined and there’s a bit more push behind them. It’s a small day, but the cleanest of the lot.
Friday afternoon gets even better. The wind swings to a gentle offshore from the E at 9 mph, the waves are clean, and the combined energy hits 283. This is a solid, fun-sized wave with good shape. It’s not big, but for the pure quality of the surf, this is your best bet. Just keep in mind that The Pass can get crowded, so expect some company if you paddle out.
Saturday the 29th starts glassy again—dead calm in the morning—with 3ft from the ENE and a 9-second period. The energy is moderate at 123. It’s rideable and clean, but doesn’t have the same energy punch as the day before.
Sunday the 30th brings a stronger offshore breeze at 12 mph from the SSE, and a 3ft swell from the E with a 10-second period. The combined energy is 257, but the wind is a bit stronger, making it a little more bumpy.
After that, things get messy. From Monday the 31st of August right through to Monday the 7th of September, it’s a long stretch of cross-on winds and poor surf conditions. The winds swing around from the N and NNE, mostly moderate to strong, and the swell stays small and weak—mostly 3ft to 3ft from the ENE. The combined energy is all over the place, from 98 up to 193, but the wind just ruins it. It’s choppy, bumpy, and not worth paddling out for a decent wave.
There is a brief bright spot on Saturday the 5th of September. The morning is glassy again with 3ft from the ENE and a 9-second period, and the combined energy is 132. It’s surfable and clean, but the afternoon goes back to cross-shore wind. That glassy window is your last realistic chance for a decent paddle in the second week.
Overall, the pick of the fortnight is Friday the 28th of August—especially the afternoon. It’s clean, the swell has juice, and the winds are perfect. It’s not a big swell, but it’ll be fun. Beyond that, you’re waiting on small windows of glassy mornings.
Stay patient, keep an eye on the forecasts, and if you can get out on Friday the 28th, go for it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 21°C on Tue morning, min 15°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Warm (max 24°C on Wed afternoon, min 16°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | SSE 12 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SSE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SSE 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
98 | 101 | 75 | 87 | 105 | 108 | 116 | 137 | 90 | 123 | 113 | 71 | 118 | 149 | 157 | 112 | 109 | 96 | 123 | 126 | 131 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | glassy | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:11PM1.35m | 5:23AM0.89m | 5:54PM1.45m | 6:06AM0.97m | 6:31PM1.55m | 6:44AM1.05m | 7:04PM1.62m | 7:18AM1.13m | 7:36PM1.67m | 7:52AM1.21m | 8:08PM1.69m | 8:27AM1.28m | 8:40PM1.65m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:07AM0.38m | 00:01AM0.41m | 11:04AM0.31m | 00:36AM0.32m | 11:49AM0.23m | 1:08AM0.23m | 12:29PM0.16m | 1:38AM0.16m | 1:06PM0.10m | 2:07AM0.10m | 1:42PM0.07m | 2:36AM0.05m | 2:20PM0.07m | 3:06AM0.03m | |||||||
6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | |
— | 5:25 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 23 | 24 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
Feels °C | 18 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 23 | 23 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | NE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SSE 8 | ENE 8 | S 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 |
98 | 101 | 75 | 70 | 105 | 108 | 116 | 137 | 90 | 123 | 9 | 71 | 118 | 149 | 157 | 112 | 109 | 158 | 123 | 126 | 118 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | S 9 | S 11 | S 9 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | S 10 | S 10 | NE 7 | NE 7 | S 11 | S 9 | ENE 8 | SSE 8 | ENE 8 | S 11 | S 10 | SSE 10 |
6 | 1 | 88 | 76 | 89 | 104 | 74 | 50 | 32 | 17 | 7 | 44 | 21 | 2 | 39 | 104 | 87 | 96 | 146 | 127 | 131 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 7 | SE 7 | SSE 4 | SSE 12 | S 8 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 | S 16 | SSE 16 | S 16 | S 15 | NE 13 | S 15 | SE 16 | NE 7 | SSE 12 | NE 7 | S 13 | NE 10 | NE 10 |
2 | 2 | 3 | 87 | 31 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 20 | 25 | 20 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 10 | 27 | 87 | 19 | 31 | 4 | 4 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 2 | S 4 | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 4 | N 4 | — | ENE 7 | S 3 | S 6 | S 6 | SSE 7 | — | — | SE 5 | — | — | — |
1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | 40 | — | 113 | 4 | 156 | 119 | 82 | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 229 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Coast - New South Wales | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











