Surf Forecasts:
The Pass surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 10s period, E swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 10s period, SE swell with 4,882 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 10s period with E 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 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 12s. Another secondary swell of 1.6m and 7s is also forecast. 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 Sunday (Jul 19) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 7s period and expected on Monday (Jul 20) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 16ft (5.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Pass over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.
We’ve got a pretty solid run of surf coming up at The Pass, but you’ll have to be patient through the early days because it’s not all smooth sailing. The first few days kick off with some serious size, but the wind is a real problem – strong cross-off breezes and rain showers are making a mess of things. Sunday the 19th has 16ft SE swell, but with 25 mph winds, it’s borderline unrideable for most. The combined wave energy is massive (5763), but it’s just not clean.
Monday the 20th is a step in the right direction. The wind swings offshore, still fresh at 19 mph, but the swell drops to 12ft ESE and the energy is still strong (2547). You’ll get some clean, powerful waves, but it’s still hefty. Tuesday the 21st is where things start to get tasty. A gentle offshore breeze from the SE, swell at 8ft from the east, and a solid 10-second period. The energy is moderate (1115), but the conditions are “very good.” This is your first real standout – clean, consistent, and the point will be running nicely.
Wednesday the 22nd morning is a beauty. Glassy conditions with a light NW breeze, 6ft E swell, and 9-second period. The energy is moderate (461), and it’s clean as a whistle. Perfect for beginners to intermediate surfers, but the better waves will be for the more experienced. The afternoon turns a bit cross-off, but still clean.
Then we hit a dry patch. From Thursday the 23rd through to the end of the month, the swell drops off, the wind turns messy, and the energy is low. There are a few small, clean days in there, but nothing worth paddling for. The 26th and 27th have some very long period groundswell (17 seconds and 15 seconds), but the swell height is tiny (1ft to 3ft) and the energy is weak. The long period means the waves will be more suited to the point than a beach break, but there’s just not enough push.
Hold on, because the real standout is shaping up for Friday the 31st of July. The afternoon brings an 8ft SE swell, light offshore breezes, and a short period of 7 seconds. The energy is strong (1202), and the forecast says “very good surf conditions.” This is the one to circle. The pass will be pumping, and with light winds, it’ll be clean. The crowd will be likely, but you’ll get your share. After that, Saturday the 1st of August holds similar size (7ft SSE) but with a gentle cross-shore wind, so it’s not as perfect, but still a solid day out.
The water temperature is about average for this time of year. Nothing unusual to report.
So, the best on offer: Tuesday the 21st for the clean, moderate-sized east swell, and Friday the 31st of July for the punchy, clean SE swell. Get those dates in your calendar.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue morning, min 17°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSE on Sat night, light winds from the SE by Tue afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue night, min 14°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 4623 | 4882 | 4132 | 3919 | 2510 | 1931 | 1658 | 1115 | 804 | 538 | 461 | 412 | 322 | 232 | 190 | 144 | 382 | 212 | 268 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 4:46PM1.31m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 9:30AM0.34m | 11:37PM0.52m | |||||||
 |  | | |  | |  |  | | | |  |  | | | |  | | | |
 | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:09 | — |
mm | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 |
Feels °C | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 21 | E 11 | — | SSE 17 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | S 12 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | S 10 | SSE 9 |
| kJ | 76 | 859 | — | 55 | 37 | 57 | 73 | 1115 | 804 | 538 | 461 | 412 | 322 | 232 | 190 | 144 | 64 | 80 | 268 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 19 | S 23 | S 21 | — | S 13 | — | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | S 10 | NE 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 |
| kJ | — | 117 | 11 | 9 | — | 87 | — | 70 | 61 | 36 | 35 | 31 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 2 | 21 | 48 | 49 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SE 24 | — | — | — | — | — | S 20 | SE 16 | SSE 16 | S 15 | S 14 | E 12 | — | — | SE 8 | S 12 | NE 8 | NE 9 |
| kJ | — | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 10 | 24 | 4 | 4 | 3 | — | — | 3 | 11 | 14 | 12 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 3 | SSE 4 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | — |
| kJ | 4623 | 4882 | 4132 | 3919 | 2510 | 1931 | 1658 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 11 | 87 | 382 | 212 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 597 | 604 | 604 | 229 | 229 | 92 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 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.
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