Surf Forecasts:
The Pass surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 8s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 8s period, ESE swell with 273 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 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 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 10s. 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 1.6m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 1PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Pass over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s take a look at what’s on offer for The Pass over the next couple of weeks. The water temp is sitting right around 68°F, which is pretty normal for this time of year, so nothing to worry about there.
The first good window opens up on Thursday morning, 20th August. The Pass is a consistent point break, fairly exposed, with an optimum swell from the ENE. That morning we’ve got some clouds, a light SSW breeze at 3 mph going glassy, and an ESE swell of 5 ft at 8 seconds. The combined energy is moderate (310), and it’s looking clean. This is the standout session for the period – not huge, but nicely shaped and with those glassy conditions, it’s going to be a joy. For a beginner-friendly spot, 5 ft is fine, and the crowd is often there, but this early morning window should be worth it.
Later on Thursday afternoon, the wind swings to a cross-off, still light, but the swell drops a little. The morning is the real pick.
Then we hit a rough patch. From Friday morning, 21st August, all the way through to Thursday afternoon, 27th August, the surf gets small and ordinary, or just plain poor. Winds are onshore or cross-on, the swell is tiny, and the energy is often weak (as low as 67). There are a few clean moments with glassy conditions on Monday morning, 24th August, but the swell is only 3 ft and the energy is low – not really worth getting excited about.
Thursday afternoon, 27th August, shows a little improvement – a clean offshore breeze, 3 ft from the E at 8 seconds, and the energy picks up to 175. It’s surfable, but still nothing special.
The following week, from 30th August into early September, the swell gets bigger – up to 8 ft on the 31st – but the wind is all cross-on and choppy, so the quality is poor. The energy gets strong (904 on the 31st afternoon), but with the wind ruining it, this is more of a windy mess than a surf session. At that size, it’s expert-only anyway, and the conditions don’t help.
There’s a glimmer on Thursday morning, 3rd September, with glassy conditions and a small 3 ft ESE swell, and the energy is moderate (191). The following days stay clean and small, but nothing really stands out as a top session.
So, to sum it up: Thursday morning, 20th August, is your best bet. Get out early, enjoy the glass and the 5 ft ESE swell at The Pass. After that, it’s mostly a waiting game for better conditions.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sat morning, min 16°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 21°C on Tue morning, min 16°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | SSE 13 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
300 | 232 | 99 | 47 | 31 | 44 | 75 | 51 | 79 | 73 | 64 | 61 | 93 | 72 | 99 | 103 | 99 | 70 | 85 | 104 | 69 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 6:44AM1.05m | 7:04PM1.62m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 12:29PM0.16m | 1:38AM0.16m | ||||||||
6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | |
— | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:27 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 2 | 6 | 2 |
Temp °C | 19 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 15 |
Feels °C | 17 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 20 | 17 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 |
300 | 232 | 99 | 47 | 31 | 44 | 75 | 51 | 79 | 73 | 64 | 61 | 66 | 72 | 99 | 103 | 99 | 70 | 85 | 104 | 69 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 11 | ESE 10 | SE 8 | ESE 7 | SE 8 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | S 8 | S 5 | SSE 13 | S 11 | S 10 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | N 4 | S 9 | NE 7 |
10 | 21 | 55 | 28 | 28 | 21 | 14 | 14 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 93 | 63 | 76 | 83 | 58 | 32 | 9 | 27 | 25 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSE 10 | SE 9 | SSE 8 | ESE 7 | E 13 | E 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | NE 10 | S 11 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SE 6 | SSE 5 | SE 5 | NE 7 | S 10 | S 16 | S 8 |
— | 10 | 21 | 39 | 27 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 38 | 13 | 14 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 29 | 5 | 13 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | NNE 4 | NW 3 | NNE 3 | NW 3 | — | S 4 | — | — | — | NE 3 | — | NE 3 | NNE 4 | N 4 | — | — |
— | — | — | — | 8 | 13 | 2 | 7 | 1 | — | 6 | — | — | — | 2 | — | 5 | 26 | 12 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 256 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 27 | 460 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 13 |
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.











