Surf Forecasts:
Trapdoors surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 17 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, S swell with 2,793 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 17 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period with SSE 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 Thursday (Sep 17) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Trapdoors in the next 16 days are 3.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Trapdoors over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk about Trapdoors.
It’s been a slow start. The first real chance to get wet doesn't come until Wednesday the 16th. Before that, we're looking at small, weak, messy energy, and honestly not worth paddling out for.
Wednesday the 16th is where things start to wake up. We’ve got a solid 8ft to 10ft SSE swell building through the day, with a period around 8 to 9 seconds. That’s a moderate to strong push of energy (612 to 1548 combined energy). The wind is cross-offshore from the south, so the surf will be clean. This is definitely advanced territory though—over 8ft means it’s for experienced surfers only. Thursday the 17th looks like the standout window. The swell holds at 8ft to 10ft from the S, with a period stretching to 10 seconds, and the energy is pumping at 2394 to 3105. Winds stay clean and cross-offshore. If you’ve got the skills, Thursday morning is the session to aim for.
Friday the 18th sees a sharp drop in size and energy, down to 4ft from the SSE, and onshore wind spoils the surface. Not great. Things flatten right out over the weekend and into the start of the following week, with tiny, onshore, messy conditions.
There’s a little pulse early on Tuesday the 22nd with 5ft SE swell, but the period is short (7 seconds) and the wind is cross-shore, so it’s marginal at best.
Wednesday the 23rd brings something interesting: a 2ft SSE groundswell with a very long period of 19 seconds (466 combined energy). That’s a long-period groundswell, so at a point/river setup like Trapdoors, it could shape up nicely, but onshore winds will likely be an issue. Later in the outlook, around Monday the 28th afternoon, there’s a late window with clean conditions and a cross-offshore wind from the west, but the swell is only 4ft at 8 seconds—worth a look if you’re desperate.
The long-range stuff towards the end of September is inconsistent, with onshore or cross-onshore winds dominating. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing wild to report.
Best bet: Thursday the 17th morning. No question. Big, clean, and powerful—just don’t bring the beginners.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 24°C on Tue afternoon, min 13°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Mon night, fresh winds from the SSW by Wed afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sat morning, min 13°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | ||||||||||||||
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 11 | SE 10 | NE 5 | NE 6 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | NE 6 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 56 | 24 | 50 | 39 | 604 | 1530 | 1484 | 2047 | 1550 | 497 | 203 | 137 | 149 | 132 | 101 | 78 | 56 | 45 | 28 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on | on | cross | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:30AM1.44m | 10:35PM1.12m | 11:11AM1.38m | 11:15PM0.99m | 11:58AM1.31m | 00:04AM0.88m | 12:56PM1.24m | 1:13AM0.80m | 2:09PM1.21m | 2:47AM0.78m | 3:23PM1.23m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:02AM0.14m | 4:47PM0.28m | 4:33AM0.22m | 5:36PM0.38m | 5:08AM0.31m | 6:35PM0.46m | 5:50AM0.39m | 7:52PM0.52m | 6:49AM0.46m | 9:21PM0.51m | 8:10AM0.49m | 10:31PM0.45m | |||||||
 |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:40 | — |
mm | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 23 | 24 | 21 | 18 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 24 | 22 | 18 | 24 | 23 | 20 |
Feels °C | 14 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 11 | 9 | 5 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 20 | 19 | 16 | 20 | 19 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 5 | SE 10 | SE 10 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 13 | ENE 13 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | NE 6 |
| kJ | 13 | 24 | 23 | 39 | 4 | 18 | 17 | 1055 | 835 | 497 | 203 | 137 | 149 | 132 | 101 | 78 | 56 | 45 | 20 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 11 | E 15 | E 9 | E 15 | E 14 | — | — | E 13 | S 19 | E 12 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | SSE 17 | NE 4 | NE 4 | S 17 | SSE 8 |
| kJ | 56 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 4 | — | — | 3 | 7 | 3 | 58 | 83 | 47 | 20 | 58 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 28 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | E 14 | E 12 | — | — | — | — | NE 8 | S 19 | S 19 | SSE 19 | SSE 18 | SSE 16 | E 11 | SSE 17 | S 16 | — | S 22 |
| kJ | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 7 | 7 | 35 | 61 | 52 | 3 | 57 | 5 | — | 9 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 3 | NE 5 | NE 5 | SSW 3 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | S 10 | S 10 | — | — | ENE 2 | — | — | NE 4 | NNE 4 | NNE 4 | NE 4 | — |
| kJ | 3 | 19 | 50 | 7 | 604 | 1530 | 1484 | 2047 | 1550 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 11 | 15 | 11 | 17 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 5 | 18 | 1596 | 100 | 442 | 1140 | 0 | 32 | 77 | 0 | 36 | 197 | 2 | 2 | 18 | 0 | 100 | 197 | 0 |
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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