
Surf Forecasts:
The Pass surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, ESE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 10s period, SE swell with 5,200 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period with ESE 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 Monday (Jul 20) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m 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 5.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 8s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 18) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 4PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 16ft (5.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Pass over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break it down. The Pass is a point break, consistent, and good for beginners, but it’s open to the swell. Water temp is about 69°F, which is normal for the time of year.
First few days, Friday the 17th through Sunday the 19th, are rough. We’ve got swell from 8ft to 12ft, but the wind is screaming from the SSE and S at 19 to 28 mph. The period is short, 8 to 10 seconds, coming from the SE or SSE, which isn’t ideal for this spot. The energy is high (combined energy 841 to 2445), but it’s a messy, choppy mess. Not worth the paddle unless you’re a masochist or a kite surfer.
The real gem is Monday the 20th. The swell drops to 10ft from the ESE, period hits 10 seconds, and the wind is a moderate offshore from the SE at 16 mph. The energy is still strong (1922 in the morning, 1734 in the afternoon). Monday afternoon is the best of the whole outlook – excellent conditions for experienced surfers, clean faces, and pumping waves. That’s your day.
Tuesday the 21st is still good. Swell drops to 8ft in the morning, 7ft in the afternoon, still from the east, with a gentle offshore breeze from the SE at 9 mph. Energy is moderate (1019 and 753), and the waves are expected to be very good. A solid day.
From Wednesday the 22nd, it fades. Wednesday morning has 5ft, period 9 seconds, with a slight cross-off wind. Clean but small. Thursday the 23rd morning is glassy with 4ft from the ENE. By Friday the 24th, it’s down to 3ft, and after that, it’s all tiny. The second week, from the 25th of July to the 1st of August, is a total blank. Waves are 1ft to 2ft, energy is low, and conditions are poor.
So, get on it Monday the 20th and Tuesday the 21st. The Pass will be firing, especially Monday afternoon. After that, it’s a long, flat spell.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 44mm), heaviest during Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun night, min 16°C on Fri night). Mainly strong winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon morning, min 16°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | ESE 11 | SE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
799 | 887 | 877 | 1371 | 1853 | 4538 | 2408 | 2259 | 2361 | 1884 | 1676 | 1520 | 1019 | 753 | 481 | 372 | 318 | 283 | 238 | 202 | 184 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross-on |
High Tide | 10:03AM1.16m | 10:23PM1.77m | 10:51AM1.18m | 11:04PM1.60m | 11:42AM1.19m | 11:44PM1.42m | 12:36PM1.20m | 00:25AM1.23m | 1:35PM1.20m | 1:11AM1.07m | 2:40PM1.22m | 2:09AM0.94m | 3:45PM1.25m | 3:24AM0.86m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:46PM0.05m | 5:00AM0.06m | 4:35PM0.16m | 5:38AM0.11m | 5:26PM0.30m | 6:16AM0.16m | 6:22PM0.44m | 6:55AM0.22m | 7:31PM0.56m | 7:39AM0.28m | 8:57PM0.61m | 8:30AM0.32m | 10:27PM0.59m | ||||||||
6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | |
— | 5:06 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:08 | — | |
mm | 4 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 12 | 5 | 5 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 17 |
Feels °C | 13 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 8 | NE 8 | S 15 | S 21 | ESE 11 | SSE 21 | SSE 19 | SSE 18 | SSE 17 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 |
9 | 9 | 5 | 9 | 1853 | 43 | 37 | 63 | 56 | 38 | 58 | 1520 | 1019 | 753 | 481 | 372 | 318 | 283 | 238 | 202 | 184 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 18 | SSE 18 | — | — | — | — | S 24 | S 24 | S 17 | — | — | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | SSE 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 | S 10 |
33 | 31 | — | — | — | — | 11 | 11 | 6 | — | — | 75 | 70 | 62 | 38 | 35 | 31 | 17 | 17 | 20 | 8 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 21 | S 15 | S 15 | S 15 | S 14 | E 12 | E 12 | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 17 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | S 9 | SE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
799 | 887 | 877 | 1371 | 1977 | 4538 | 2408 | 2259 | 2361 | 1884 | 1676 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 550 | 551 | 13 | 229 | 223 | 518 | 647 | 507 | 92 | 388 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 27 | 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.










