Surf Forecasts:
Wategos surf forecast from 11 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 12 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 9s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 17 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, SE swell with 1,156 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 12 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 9s 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 Wednesday (Aug 12) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Wategos in the next 16 days are 3.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.2m 7s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 15) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Mon 17th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Wategos over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here again. Let’s talk surf at Wategos in feet and miles per hour.
We’re staring down a slow start. From now until Tuesday the 13th of August, the swell is tiny – around 2 to 2 feet – and mostly messy. Wednesday morning the 14th cleans up a bit with light offshore wind, but it’s still ankle‑snappers. There’s a quiet stretch until Sunday the 18th when things start to ramp up.
The standout window is around Thursday the 22nd of August. That morning delivers clean 5 foot easterly swell (10 second period) with light westerly breezes, glassy conditions. The combined energy is moderate (504), and the wave shape should be fun on the point. But remember, Wategos is a beginner spot and it’s always packed, so expect company. Water temp is about 69°F, pretty average for this time of year.
By Saturday the 17th of August, we get a building swell. Monday the 19th and Tuesday the 20th hit 8 to 10 feet, which is serious – experts only. Winds stay cross-off, keeping it clean, but the combined energy is over 1000 (1078 to 1182), so it’s powerful. The period is around 8 to 9 seconds, so not super long period but still plenty of grunt. That size will be too much for beginners.
Friday the 23rd of August drops back to a more manageable 5 feet with moderate offshore wind – a cleaner, friendlier option.
So, circle Thursday the 22nd for the best all‑rounder. The big stuff earlier is for the experienced crew. Crowds are heavy at Wategos whenever there’s waves, so get there early.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Tue morning, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 36mm), heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ENE 10 | SE 7 | SE 9 | SE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 82 | 59 | 87 | 83 | 87 | 63 | 61 | 43 | 43 | 43 | 42 | 42 | 43 | 29 | 30 | 56 | 77 | 32 | 308 | 1135 | 986 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:05PM1.87m | 7:24AM1.13m | 7:50PM1.91m | 8:08AM1.21m | 8:32PM1.88m | 8:51AM1.27m | 9:11PM1.78m | 9:34AM1.31m | 9:48PM1.64m | 10:16AM1.33m | 10:23PM1.46m | 11:00AM1.32m | 10:58PM1.28m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:20PM0.03m | 1:49AM0.04m | 1:10PM-0.04m | 2:28AM-0.00m | 1:57PM-0.05m | 3:05AM-0.01m | 2:42PM-0.02m | 3:40AM0.01m | 3:26PM0.07m | 4:12AM0.05m | 4:11PM0.18m | 4:44AM0.11m | 4:57PM0.32m | ||||||||
 | |  | |  |  | | | |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — |
 | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 3 | 4 | 11 | 6 | 7 | 7 |
Temp °C | 21 | 21 | 17 | 20 | 18 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 17 |
Feels °C | 18 | 18 | 12 | 18 | 15 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 6 | S 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | S 8 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | S 7 | ESE 6 | ENE 10 | E 9 | — | E 13 |
| kJ | 82 | 59 | 87 | 121 | 104 | 94 | 25 | 121 | 43 | 43 | 42 | 55 | 43 | 29 | 30 | 93 | 77 | 32 | 39 | — | 3 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 7 | — | NNE 6 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 9 | E 9 | SSE 16 | SE 15 | SE 15 | ESE 6 | E 10 | ESE 9 | S 15 | — | — |
| kJ | 38 | — | 16 | 83 | 87 | 63 | 61 | 43 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 42 | 25 | 9 | 9 | 56 | 49 | 7 | 4 | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 4 | S 10 | S 10 | NE 7 | NE 11 | NE 6 | S 10 | NNE 7 | NE 10 | N 9 | NE 9 | SE 19 | S 19 | — | S 19 | ENE 10 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | E 14 | — | — |
| kJ | 2 | 2 | 16 | 11 | 5 | 9 | 45 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 14 | 29 | — | 7 | 31 | 30 | 24 | 4 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 3 | NNE 6 | W 3 | SSW 5 | NE 6 | W 3 | S 6 | S 8 | SSE 8 | S 7 | S 8 | SSE 6 | S 6 | S 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | S 7 | SSE 6 | SE 7 | SE 9 | SE 8 |
| kJ | 4 | 36 | 5 | 14 | 20 | 5 | 49 | 208 | 257 | 251 | 375 | 97 | 173 | 529 | 232 | 191 | 138 | 209 | 308 | 1135 | 986 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 13 | 56 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 13 | 2 | 2 | 58 | 0 | 2 | 274 | 53 | 0 | 53 | 92 | 1 | 257 | 1 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Coast - New South Wales | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)- Wind Speed (km/h)
Latest Updates
FREE! Surf-Forecast.com widget for your website
The surf report / weather widget below is available to embed on third party websites free of charge and provides a summary of our Wategos surf forecast. Simply grab the html code snippet that we provide and paste it into your own site. You can choose your preferred language and metric/imperial units for the surf forecast feed to suit users of your site. Click here to get the code.
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.
Nearest