Surf Forecasts:
Wategos surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 21 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 10s period, E swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 16ft (5.0m), 10s period, SE swell with 4,733 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 21 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 10s period with E 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 Tuesday (Jul 21) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 10s 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 5.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 4.5m 10s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 18) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Tue 21st Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Tue 21st Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 16ft (5.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Wategos over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the table for the next couple of weeks.
Wategos is the only spot offering any kind of hope, and it’s a real mixed bag. We start with a massive gap of no surf at all. The first genuine chance to get wet doesn't come around until Sunday, July 19th. That's a long wait for the first wave.
The main event is a big, powerful swell that arrives on Sunday the 19th. We’re talking a solid 13 ft of SE swell, packing a massive punch with a combined energy of 3013. That’s a lot of power. The period is 10 seconds, which is a solid groundswell, but that size is immediate expert territory. It’s going to be a big, heavy paddle and the wind is cross-off from the SSE, so it’ll be clean but challenging. If you’re a beginner, stay well clear. This is for the experienced crew only.
The swell holds through Monday the 20th, with 10 ft from the ESE, still with strong energy (1797). The wind is still cross-off, keeping it clean. The standout window looks to be Tuesday the 21st. The swell drops to a more manageable 7 ft from the East, with 847 energy. The wind goes light and cross-off in the morning, then turns offshore in the afternoon. This is the sweet spot – clean, powerful, and a bit more accessible than the weekend. For a point break, that easterly direction is pretty good.
By Wednesday the 22nd, it’s down to 5 ft and the energy is moderate (390). It’s still surfable but the quality is dropping. From Thursday the 23rd onward, the swell fades quickly. The rest of the forecast is small, weak, and unremarkable, with the combined energy dropping below 100. The water temp is 69°F, which is pretty much normal for the time of year.
So, the best bet is clear: Tuesday the 21st of July. The morning will be clean, but the afternoon with that gentle offshore wind is the real gem. Don't expect crowds because Wategos can be a popular spot, but with the conditions that good, you'll want to be in the water.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 43mm), heaviest during Sat afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun night, min 16°C on Sat morning). Mainly strong winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon afternoon, min 14°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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) | NE 8 | SE 16 | SSE 8 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 13 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 3951 | 3013 | 2522 | 2304 | 1797 | 1463 | 1300 | 847 | 673 | 427 | 382 | 318 | 270 | 220 | 181 | 143 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:23PM1.77m | 10:51AM1.18m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 5:00AM0.06m | 4:35PM0.16m | 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 | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | |  |  |  | | |  | |  | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — |
 | 5:06 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:08 | — |
mm | 5 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 11 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 16 |
Feels °C | 11 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 8 | SE 16 | S 21 | S 22 | S 21 | SSE 19 | S 24 | SSE 17 | SSE 15 | ESE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 |
| kJ | 9 | 9 | 35 | 37 | 77 | 37 | 11 | 28 | 21 | 1463 | 1300 | 847 | 673 | 427 | 382 | 318 | 270 | 220 | 181 | 143 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 18 | — | — | — | E 18 | S 24 | S 23 | S 17 | — | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 |
| kJ | 13 | — | — | — | 6 | 11 | 11 | 6 | — | 34 | 57 | 54 | 40 | 37 | 33 | 32 | 31 | 17 | 22 | 19 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 23 | S 21 | — | SE 16 | SE 15 | S 14 | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 9 | — | 10 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | S 7 | S 6 | SSE 6 | — | — | SSW 2 | — | — | — | S 3 | SSE 3 |
| kJ | 1067 | 1070 | 1684 | 3679 | 3951 | 3013 | 2522 | 2304 | 1797 | 150 | 62 | 68 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 2 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 508 | 216 | 675 | 687 | 518 | 647 | 604 | 92 | 191 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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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