Wategos Surf Break

Lat Long: 28.64° S 153.63° E

Wategos Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 pm 17 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Wategos sea temperature is
20.7° C
0.1° 

Wategos surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


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 TypeTime (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 Forecast

Heavy 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 Summary

Mostly 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
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
2
1
2
2
2
3
2
3
3
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
NE
8
0.1
SE
16
3.5
SSE
8
4.5
SE
10
4.5
SE
10
4
SE
10
4
SE
9
3.5
ESE
10
3
ESE
9
3
ESE
10
2.5
E
10
2.1
E
10
1.9
E
10
1.6
E
9
1.5
E
9
1.4
E
9
1.3
E
9
1.2
E
9
1.1
E
9
1
E
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
13
9
0
0
3951
3013
2522
2304
1797
1463
1300
847
673
427
382
318
270
220
181
143
Wind (km/h)
35
SSE
30
S
40
S
45
S
40
SSE
35
SSE
35
SSE
30
SE
30
SE
25
SE
15
SSE
15
SSE
15
SSE
10
SSE
10
SSW
10
ESE
5
WNW
5
SW
10
SE
10
SSW
Wind State
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
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:35
6:35
6:35
6:35
6:33
6:33
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
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
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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