Surf Forecasts:
Wategos surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 18 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 10s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 19 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 12s period, SE swell with 1,356 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 8s period with SE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Wategos this week:
The surf forecast for Wategos over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 13) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 8s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Wategos in the next 16 days are 2.3m 12s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 19) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 4.5m 10s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Fri 18th Sep) | 8ft (2.4m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Sat 19th Sep) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Wategos over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright mate, let’s talk Wategos in feet and degrees.
Honestly, this stretch is a long, quiet ride with only one real spike that’s worth your time. Water temp is 69°F, which is pretty normal for the season. The first surfable waves don’t hit until Sunday morning, September 13th.
Sunday, September 13th morning – We’ve got a clean 4ft swell out of the SE with a light offshore breeze from the SSE at 6 mph. Glassy conditions, clean lines. Combined energy is moderate at 170. Period is short (8 seconds), so it’s more of a windswell, but the offshore wind makes it workable. The afternoon goes cross-shore and drops off, so hit it early.
Then the taps turn off. From Monday the 14th right through to Friday morning the 18th, it’s tiny and mostly messy. Waves under 3ft, poor conditions – a real 4-day desert. There’s a Wednesday morning with a 2ft wave and fresh offshore wind, but it’s too small to bother.
Friday, September 18th afternoon – This is the one. A solid 8ft swell from the SE, clean with a gentle cross-offshore breeze at 9 mph, and combined energy is a massive 1286 – that’s strong. Period at 10 seconds gives it proper shape. This is a big, expert-level wave. The swell direction is off the optimum (NE is best here), so it’ll be a bit fat on the point, but with that much energy and clean wind, the experienced crew will have a field day. Expect crowds – Wategos is always busy.
Saturday, September 19th morning – The swell drops to 6ft from the SE, but the wind is light onshore from the NNE at 6 mph, so it’ll be a bit bumpy. Energy is still strong at 787. A decent follow-up but not as clean as Friday.
After that, it’s back to small, weak surf for the rest of the outlook. There’s a day on September 27th with a 5ft swell from the NNE and clean cross-offshore wind, but the period is short (6 seconds) and energy is low. It’s surfable, but nothing special.
So, your one real standout is Friday afternoon, September 18th at Wategos. Big, clean, and powerful – but only for the experts. Get in line early if you want a slice.
Keep your wax on,
Rusty
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 21°C on Tue morning, min 15°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon morning, fresh winds from the S by Tue night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed morning, min 13°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the S on Wed afternoon, calm by Fri night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 8 | SE 9 | E 5 | E 5 | E 5 | ENE 6 | E 6 | NNE 4 | N 4 | E 6 | E 13 | ENE 13 | ENE 8 | NE 13 | NE 12 | NE 16 | SE 10 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 164 | 212 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 33 | 23 | 30 | 32 | 19 | 4 | 17 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 10 | 1275 | 1356 | 787 | 623 | 318 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross | glassy | glassy | cross-on | on | on | on | on | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 9:12PM1.44m | 9:41AM1.46m | 9:46PM1.29m | 10:20AM1.43m | 10:20PM1.14m | 11:03AM1.36m | 10:58PM1.00m | 11:54AM1.29m | 11:46PM0.89m | 12:58PM1.22m | 1:01AM0.81m | 2:17PM1.20m | 2:42AM0.79m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:07PM0.12m | 3:23AM0.07m | 3:50PM0.21m | 3:53AM0.13m | 4:34PM0.32m | 4:24AM0.21m | 5:24PM0.43m | 4:59AM0.30m | 6:26PM0.52m | 5:44AM0.39m | 7:51PM0.57m | 6:49AM0.45m | 9:27PM0.54m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | |  |  | | |  |  | | | | | | | | |
 | 5:47 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — |
 | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:38 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 21 | 21 | 18 |
Feels °C | 17 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | ENE 6 | E 6 | E 5 | E 6 | E 6 | E 13 | ENE 13 | ENE 8 | NE 13 | NE 12 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 |
| kJ | 164 | 212 | 127 | 125 | 107 | 33 | 23 | 14 | 16 | 19 | 4 | 17 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 1461 | 1275 | 1356 | 787 | 623 | 318 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 20 | SSE 18 | E 5 | E 5 | E 5 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | N 5 | — | — | NE 13 | NE 8 | S 19 | NE 16 | NE 15 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 |
| kJ | 78 | 34 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 77 | 57 | 37 | 18 | 13 | — | — | 7 | 2 | 7 | 10 | 8 | 239 | 39 | 56 | 80 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | NE 8 | E 9 | E 12 | E 12 | E 13 | — | — | — | — | — | E 12 | E 12 | S 18 | SSE 18 | SSE 17 | SE 16 |
| kJ | 6 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 6 | 30 | 55 | 64 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | NE 2 | NNW 2 | N 3 | NNE 4 | N 4 | S 5 | SSE 8 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | S 10 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 30 | 32 | 106 | 1251 | 3531 | 1557 | 1729 | 2199 | 1730 | 392 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 223 | 1 | 27 | 229 | 13 | 256 | 1331 | 58 | 223 | 274 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 216 | 1 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Coast - New South Wales | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Wategos Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Wategos provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Wategos can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Wategos 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 (Wategos) 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 Wategos 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.
Wategos is 27 km (17 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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