Surf Forecasts:
Woolgoolga Back Beach surf forecast from 15 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 9s period, ESE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 11s period, ESE swell with 592 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 9s period with ESE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Woolgoolga Back Beach this week:
The surf forecast for Woolgoolga Back Beach over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 0.7m and 12s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Woolgoolga Back Beach in the next 16 days are 1.6m 11s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 5s period and expected on Friday (Aug 21) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Woolgoolga Back Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty, and I’ve been pouring over the charts for Woolgoolga Back Beach. Gotta be honest, the next couple of weeks are a real test of character – lots of flat, junk days before we finally get a proper window. This is a classic winter pattern for this spot.
From Saturday the 15th right through to the following week, it’s mostly a bust. Swell runs 3ft to 5ft from the SSE and ESE, but it’s hammered by cross-onshore winds gusting 15 mph, making the surface a mess. Water temp is 19°, about normal for the season. Wave energy is moderate, hanging around 167 to 237 – nothing special. Monday the 17th has a bump in energy to 548, but with rain and a cross-on breeze, it’s still not surfable. Just grit your teeth and wait.
The standout is the end of the month. On Friday the 28th of August, we get offshore winds from the NNW and NW at 12 mph, cleaning everything up. Swell is 4ft to 5ft from the E, with energy around 306 to 448 – this is your best bet. Saturday the 29th holds with offshore breezes and 4ft from the E (energy 485). Both days are clean and rideable. Then Sunday the 30th starts glassy with 3ft from the ESE (energy 259) – ideal for a smooth session. After lunch the wind swings onshore and it’s done, so hit it early.
Woolgoolga Back Beach is a beginner-friendly sand bottom, so when the swell pushes past 5ft it’s too much for newbies, but 3-4ft with offshore wind is perfect. The swell direction from the E to ESE suits this exposed stretch. Crowds are possible on the good days, but given the long flat spell, it might stay mellow. The gap from the 15th to the 27th is bleak, but it’s normal for the area. Forecasts change, and this late-month pulse looks worth the wait.
Hang in there, the end of the month has your name on it.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 26mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Tue morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu afternoon, min 14°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | SSE 6 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 9 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 7 | E 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
139 | 186 | 282 | 128 | 118 | 279 | 289 | 229 | 240 | 264 | 207 | 331 | 480 | 143 | 127 | 161 | 143 | 111 | 79 | 61 | 100 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 9:55PM1.58m | 10:29AM1.34m | 10:34PM1.42m | 11:12AM1.33m | 11:12PM1.24m | 11:58AM1.31m | 11:53PM1.08m | 12:49PM1.27m | 00:41AM0.94m | 1:49PM1.23m | 1:46AM0.84m | 2:58PM1.23m | 3:12AM0.80m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:38PM0.10m | 4:20AM0.02m | 4:25PM0.20m | 4:53AM0.10m | 5:13PM0.30m | 5:26AM0.18m | 6:07PM0.41m | 6:02AM0.26m | 7:10PM0.50m | 6:44AM0.35m | 8:31PM0.55m | 7:39AM0.41m | 10:01PM0.53m | ||||||||
6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | |
— | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:24 | — | |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | 5 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 1 | — | 7 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 |
Temp °C | 17 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 20 | 19 | 17 |
Feels °C | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | SSE 19 | SE 7 | ESE 8 | SSE 18 | ESE 7 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 9 | ESE 7 | ESE 11 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 7 | E 7 |
15 | 14 | 34 | 128 | 20 | 32 | 289 | 229 | 240 | 264 | 55 | 164 | 480 | 142 | 127 | 161 | 143 | 111 | 79 | 61 | 100 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | SSE 19 | ENE 10 | SSE 18 | SSE 18 | S 15 | SSE 12 | S 17 | ENE 9 | S 9 | ESE 14 | ESE 12 | S 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | NE 8 | NE 9 | E 7 | NE 6 | SE 7 | S 11 |
5 | 37 | 19 | 31 | 61 | 17 | 26 | 5 | 16 | 39 | 62 | 142 | 19 | 143 | 90 | 3 | 3 | 33 | 19 | 12 | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 20 | N 8 | ENE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SE 12 | SSE 17 | ENE 9 | S 14 | S 12 | S 12 | SE 9 | S 15 | S 10 | S 8 | — | E 10 | NE 6 | SSE 7 | S 12 | SE 7 |
8 | 1 | 18 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 30 | 28 | 33 | 26 | 25 | 41 | 4 | 8 | 28 | — | 2 | 24 | 20 | 3 | 12 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | SSW 6 | SSE 6 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | — | — | ESE 7 | ESE 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 4 | — |
139 | 186 | 282 | 60 | 118 | 279 | 203 | 167 | — | — | 207 | 331 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 47 | 78 | 7 | 7 | 19 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 46 | 46 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Coast - New South Wales | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Woolgoolga Back Beach Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Woolgoolga Back Beach provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Woolgoolga Back Beach can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Woolgoolga Back Beach 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 (Woolgoolga Back Beach) 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 Woolgoolga Back Beach 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.











