Surf Forecasts:
Trapdoors surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 7s period, ESE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 10s period, ESE swell with 410 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 7s period with ESE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Trapdoors this week:
The surf forecast for Trapdoors over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Trapdoors in the next 16 days are 1.4m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Trapdoors over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey, Rusty here. Let’s talk about Trapdoors for the next couple of weeks.
For the first week or so, from Tuesday the 18th of August through Monday the 31st of August, it’s pretty flat and ordinary. There are a few clean moments, like Wednesday morning the 19th when it goes glassy with 4ft of ESE swell, but the energy is weak (287 combined energy), and it’s just not worth the paddle. Most days are tiny, bumpy, or blown out. From Thursday the 20th onward, waves drop below 3ft, with onshore winds messing things up. A few mornings offer glassy or clean surfaces, like Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 30th, but the swell is barely a ripple at 2ft to 2ft. You’re looking at a flat run that lasts about ten days – not much to get excited about.
Now, here’s the good bit. Wait until Tuesday the 1st of September. That morning, Trapdoors (a point/river setup, exposed to swell, with an optimum from the SE) really lights up. A solid 7ft groundswell from the south, with an 11-second period, rolls in, and the combined energy is a massive 1530. Winds are light and cross-off from the SSE, keeping the waves clean. That’s a proper groundswell, and with the period over 11 seconds, it’s got real power and shape – ideal for this break. Water temperature is around 67°, which is about normal for this time of year. At 7ft, this is one for experienced surfers only – beginners should stay on the sand. The standout is Tuesday morning, no question. The afternoon still holds at 8ft with similar clean cross-off winds, though the period drops to 10 seconds and the energy eases to 1100, plus tide might make it a bit tricky. Wednesday the 2nd still has some size at 6ft to 6ft, but the winds pick up to 20 km/h, making it less clean and a bit more of a handful.
So, the best call is Tuesday the 1st of September – be there early. Everything before that is a bust. After the 2nd, it fades again. When it fires, though, it really fires.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu morning, min 14°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sun afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Fri morning, min 15°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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 7 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | E 7 | E 7 | NE 6 | NE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | NE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 318 | 193 | 286 | 171 | 365 | 208 | 128 | 128 | 94 | 61 | 58 | 62 | 23 | 24 | 53 | 47 | 44 | 41 | 59 | 122 | 96 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 11:58AM1.30m | 11:53PM1.08m | 12:49PM1.27m | 00:41AM0.94m | 1:49PM1.23m | 1:46AM0.84m | 2:58PM1.23m | 3:12AM0.80m | 4:07PM1.26m | 4:31AM0.82m | 5:04PM1.33m | 5:29AM0.88m | 5:51PM1.41m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:06PM0.41m | 6:02AM0.26m | 7:10PM0.50m | 6:44AM0.35m | 8:31PM0.55m | 7:39AM0.41m | 10:01PM0.53m | 8:51AM0.44m | 11:11PM0.47m | 10:03AM0.42m | 00:00AM0.39m | 11:03AM0.36m | 00:37AM0.31m | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  |  | |  | | | |  |  | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — |
 | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — |
mm | 2 | 1 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 19 | 18 | 15 | 21 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 22 | 21 | 17 |
Feels °C | 16 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | E 7 | E 7 | SE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | NE 8 | SSE 10 | ENE 7 |
| kJ | 318 | 193 | 286 | 171 | 365 | 208 | 128 | 128 | 94 | 61 | 17 | 32 | 23 | 24 | 53 | 47 | 44 | 41 | 59 | 35 | 96 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | SE 9 | ESE 12 | ESE 10 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 6 | SE 7 | ESE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | S 5 | S 9 | SSE 8 | S 10 | SSE 11 | ENE 8 | SSE 10 |
| kJ | 43 | 70 | 107 | 112 | 44 | 23 | 10 | 10 | 20 | 27 | 13 | 13 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 16 | 23 | 39 | 20 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | ESE 14 | S 11 | S 15 | S 10 | S 8 | NE 9 | — | SSE 8 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SE 7 | S 3 | S 3 | SSE 16 | S 6 | S 18 | S 16 |
| kJ | 15 | 36 | 57 | 4 | 29 | 28 | 3 | — | 24 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 24 | 1 | 6 | 5 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 3 | NNW 2 | NNW 3 | NE 6 | NE 5 | — | — | — | SSW 3 | — | — | NNE 5 | NE 8 | N 3 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 1 | 1 | 58 | 62 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 29 | 122 | 4 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 5 | 197 | 5 | 5 | 139 | 0 | 18 | 442 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 5 | 18 | 392 | 18 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Port Macquarie | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Trapdoors Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Trapdoors provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Trapdoors can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Trapdoors 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 (Trapdoors) 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 Trapdoors 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.
Are you planning a holiday in Port Macquarie? If you are looking for accommodation near Trapdoors, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Port Macquarie, consider staying in Coffs Harbour which is 11 km (7 miles) away. Alternatively, find information about places to stay and car hire in South Grafton which is 60 km (37 miles) away
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