Surf Forecasts:
The Pass surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 8s period, ESE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 8s period, ESE swell with 310 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 8s 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 Thursday (Aug 20) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 8s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at The Pass in the next 16 days are 1.7m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 6s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Pass over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the menu for The Pass.
The first week is a bit of a mixed bag, but we’ve got some real magic lining up for the start of September. The water is sitting at 68°F, which is just about normal for this time of year, so no need to dig out the thick rubber just yet.
We kick things off on Wednesday the 19th of August with a solid start. The swell is coming in at 5ft from the SE, with a period of 10 seconds, and the wind is offshore from the SE at 9 mph. The energy is moderate (466), and the report says "expect good surf conditions." This is a clean, fun wave for a beginner-friendly spot like The Pass, and those offshore winds will keep the surface smooth.
Thursday morning, the 20th, gets even better. The swell picks up a touch to 5ft from the ESE, but the period drops to 8 seconds. The wind goes glassy at 3 mph from the S. That’s as good as it gets for conditions – clean, smooth, and inviting. The energy is still moderate (310). This is a genuine standout for the first week. The afternoon stays clean with a cross-offshore breeze, though the swell drops back to 5ft.
From Friday the 21st through to the end of the month, the surf gets small and a bit messy. We’re looking at waist-high dribble (2ft to 3ft) and mostly onshore or cross-shore winds. The energy drops right off, with values under 200 (some as low as 78). It’s a long stretch of poor to ordinary conditions. There are a few clean moments early on Sunday the 23rd and Monday the 24th with light winds, but the size just isn’t there. You’d be paddling for not much.
Then, hold onto your board. On the 1st of September, the whole game changes. Tuesday morning brings a serious pulse of swell: 8ft from the SSE with a very long period of 14 seconds. The wind is a gentle offshore breeze from the ENE at 9 mph. The combined energy is massive (2621). This is groundswell, pure and powerful, and it’s aimed right at The Pass. The conditions are rated as excellent for experienced surfers. At 8ft, this is a step up in size – it’s not for the faint of heart or beginners. The long period means better-shaped walls, but it can also make the sets more powerful. The wind is clean, so the lineup will be organized. This is the absolute standout of the entire outlook.
Wednesday the 2nd keeps the size at 8ft from the SSE, but the period drops to 13 seconds, and the wind swings more cross-shore. Still solid, but not as clean. Thursday the 3rd is another cracker: 10ft from the SSE, 12-second period, and glassy conditions with a light SW wind in the morning. The energy is just as huge (2562). This is another day for the experts. The afternoon gets a bit cross-shore, but the morning session is prime.
So, if you’re patient, wait for that first week of September. The 1st and 3rd are the ones to circle on the calendar. Big, clean, powerful groundswell. The Pass will be a show. The first week is a write-off after Thursday, so save your energy.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 20°C on Sat morning, min 15°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 22°C on Tue morning, min 15°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | ||||||||||||||
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 10 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 7 | ENE 7 | NE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | NNE 5 | ENE 8 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
412 | 238 | 300 | 232 | 117 | 59 | 61 | 48 | 75 | 72 | 78 | 98 | 88 | 91 | 119 | 122 | 94 | 179 | 90 | 146 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 00:20AM0.96m | 1:49PM1.21m | 1:26AM0.85m | 3:05PM1.21m | 3:01AM0.80m | 4:16PM1.27m | 4:25AM0.83m | 5:11PM1.35m | 5:23AM0.89m | 5:54PM1.45m | 6:06AM0.97m | 6:31PM1.55m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:54PM0.56m | 6:36AM0.34m | 8:25PM0.62m | 7:36AM0.40m | 10:07PM0.59m | 8:54AM0.42m | 11:16PM0.51m | 10:07AM0.38m | 00:01AM0.41m | 11:04AM0.31m | 00:36AM0.32m | 11:49AM0.23m | 1:08AM0.23m | |||||||
— | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | |
5:23 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | |
mm | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 22 | 20 | 19 |
Feels °C | 16 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 7 | ENE 7 | SE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 10 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
412 | 238 | 300 | 232 | 117 | 59 | 28 | 48 | 75 | 72 | 78 | 98 | 88 | 91 | 119 | 122 | 94 | 19 | 90 | 146 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 6 | S 9 | E 11 | E 10 | SE 8 | SSE 8 | E 7 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | S 9 | S 7 | S 6 | S 6 | S 10 | SE 5 | S 10 | S 10 |
54 | 15 | 10 | 8 | 45 | 39 | 24 | 21 | 14 | 14 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 12 | 6 | 19 | 1 | 8 | 7 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | ESE 12 | — | SSE 10 | SE 9 | ESE 7 | SSE 8 | E 13 | E 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | S 5 | — | S 4 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 6 | S 16 | S 15 | S 15 |
18 | 29 | — | 10 | 13 | 28 | 23 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 7 | 1 | — | 1 | 7 | 14 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 5 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 6 | NNE 4 | — | — | — | SSW 5 | — | — | — | NE 3 | NNE 4 | ENE 8 | NNE 5 | N 5 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 61 | 13 | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | 2 | 13 | 179 | 77 | 47 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 257 | 13 | 1 | 55 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 229 | 13 | 94 | 429 | 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.











