Surf Forecasts:
Woolgoolga Back Beach surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 14 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 8s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 14 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 9s period, S swell with 538 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 9s period with E 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 Thursday (Aug 13) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m and 5s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Woolgoolga Back Beach in the next 16 days are 1.8m 9s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 14) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 2s period and expected on Friday (Aug 14) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Fri 14th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Fri 14th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Woolgoolga Back Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Woolgoolga Back Beach over the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you—this stretch of coast is going through a pretty ordinary run. For the first week and a half, there’s not much to get excited about. The wind is messy, mostly onshore or cross-onshore, and the swell is small with short periods. The water temp is sitting about average for the time of year, nothing wild. Expect a lot of choppy, lumpy surfaces and poor conditions through Thursday morning 13 August all the way to around Saturday 22 August. There’s a run of rain showers and moderate breezes that just won’t let up, and wave energy stays weak to moderate (466 or less) for most of that time. The swell direction is mostly from the S to SE, which is not ideal for this spot—it’s exposed to SE swell, but the wind just keeps trashing it.
Now, there’s a glimmer of hope as we head into the second week. Sunday 23 August morning sees a shift: a light offshore wind from the NW at 12 mph, with a small 3 ft east swell and moderate energy (134). It’s not pumping, but it’s clean. That afternoon gets even better with a glassy offshore breeze from the WNW at just 3 mph and 3 ft of east swell (169 energy). The surf is still very ordinary, but at least it’s rideable.
The real standout, though, comes on Tuesday 25 August morning. That’s the one to circle. Glassy conditions, a light N wind at 3 mph, and a 3 ft east swell with a period of 10 seconds. The combined energy is 212—moderate—and the water will be clean. This is the best of the whole run. The swell direction (E) is a good match for the optimum SE direction, and with glassy winds, it’ll be smooth and fun for a beginner-friendly wave. Just be aware crowds are sometimes around, so don’t expect total solitude.
After that, Wednesday 26 August morning also looks glassy with a 3 ft south swell, but the wind swings SSW and then the afternoon brings a big jump in swell—8 ft from the S with a 10-second period and a massive 1415 energy. That’s serious wave energy, but the wind is onshore at 19 mph, making it poor for surfing. That kind of power is more for the brave or the kite crew.
The rest of the week into 28 August fades back into smaller, wind-affected surf. So, overall, there’s a long flat spell, then a clean window on the 23rd and a real glassy gem on the morning of the 25th. If you’re keen, that Tuesday morning is your best bet.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat morning, min 12°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 29mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue afternoon, min 14°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | ||||||||||||||
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) | S 10 | S 8 | SSE 8 | S 8 | S 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | S 6 | SSE 6 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
90 | 299 | 226 | 355 | 407 | 176 | 88 | 136 | 103 | 230 | 194 | 132 | 336 | 340 | 358 | 353 | 302 | 302 | 220 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 8:19AM1.21m | 8:34PM1.80m | 9:03AM1.28m | 9:16PM1.71m | 9:46AM1.32m | 9:55PM1.58m | 10:29AM1.34m | 10:34PM1.42m | 11:12AM1.33m | 11:12PM1.24m | 11:58AM1.31m | 11:53PM1.08m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:30AM-0.04m | 2:04PM0.02m | 3:09AM-0.05m | 2:51PM0.04m | 3:45AM-0.03m | 3:38PM0.10m | 4:20AM0.02m | 4:25PM0.20m | 4:53AM0.10m | 5:13PM0.30m | 5:26AM0.18m | 6:07PM0.41m | |||||||
— | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 12 |
Temp °C | 15 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 16 |
Feels °C | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | SSE 8 | E 9 | SSE 7 | SSE 9 | E 9 | SSE 7 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 10 | S 14 | S 17 | S 16 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 13 | ESE 7 |
90 | 120 | 41 | 114 | 249 | 26 | 88 | 27 | 26 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 23 | 5 | 353 | 302 | 4 | 220 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | S 21 | SSE 8 | E 9 | S 19 | E 9 | S 16 | SSE 10 | SSE 18 | SSE 17 | SSE 17 | SSE 18 | S 17 | S 16 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | ESE 12 |
64 | 43 | 8 | 88 | 26 | 7 | 26 | 5 | 20 | 32 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 49 | 20 | 14 | 12 | 24 | 28 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | S 21 | E 9 | N 9 | NE 9 | S 15 | SE 8 | S 19 | — | E 9 | ESE 8 | S 18 | SSW 16 | — | SE 12 | S 12 | SE 13 | S 12 |
8 | 4 | 8 | 27 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 7 | — | 2 | 7 | 55 | 53 | — | 6 | 3 | 7 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 4 | S 8 | SSE 8 | S 8 | S 9 | SSE 8 | S 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | S 6 | SSE 6 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 8 | — | — | ESE 8 | — |
20 | 299 | 226 | 355 | 407 | 176 | 27 | 136 | 103 | 230 | 194 | 132 | 336 | 340 | 358 | — | — | 302 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 1 | 78 | 0 | 1 | 47 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 105 | 19 | 78 | 46 | 169 | 7 | 19 | 47 | 1 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Coast - New South Wales | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.











