
Surf Forecasts:
Woolgoolga Back Beach surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 18 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 9s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, S swell with 2,793 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 15 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 6s period with NNE 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 Tuesday (Sep 15) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 10s 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 3.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 5s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 20) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Tue 15th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Woolgoolga Back Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s shaping up for Woolgoolga Back Beach over the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – this is a lean stretch. We’re looking at a long gap with no real surf worth paddling out for. The first decent window doesn’t show up until the morning of Saturday the 19th, and even then, it’s small but clean.
From Tuesday the 15th right through to Friday the 18th, it’s all poor surf conditions. Strong winds, lumpy, messy – you name it. Wednesday the 16th kicks up some bigger swell, with 8ft on the morning and 10ft in the afternoon from the SSE, but the cross-onshore wind is a solid 22-25 mph, making it a total mess. That kind of energy (612 in the morning, 1548 in the afternoon) is just wasted on blown-out, choppy conditions. Thursday the 17th sees the swell holding around 8ft to 10ft from the S, with a period of 10 seconds, but again, cross-onshore winds keep it ugly. Energy readings are high – over 3000 – but it’s not doing anyone any favours. For beginners, that size is too big anyway. For the crew, it’s just a washing machine.
Friday the 18th drops right back. Morning has 4ft from the SSE, period 9 seconds, but it’s cross-shore with only a 1 out of 10 score. Not worth the drive.
The standout is Saturday morning, the 19th of September. That’s the one to aim for. The swell drops to 3ft from the SSE, period 10 seconds, and the wind goes glassy – dead calm with a slight air. That means clean, smooth conditions. The combined energy is weak at 204, so don’t expect power, but for a beginner-friendly break that’s fairly consistent, this is your moment. Crowds are possible here sometimes, so get in early. Water temp is about average for this time of year.
After Saturday, it fades again. Sunday the 20th has 2ft in the morning, then 2ft in the afternoon, both poor. Monday the 21st starts glassy but with only 0.7ft from the SSE and a very long period of 18 seconds – that’s a groundswell, but so tiny it’s barely a ripple. The afternoon jumps to 5ft but with a short 5-second period and poor conditions. Tuesday the 22nd is onshore and messy with 5ft.
Wednesday the 23rd offers a marginal morning: 2ft from the SSE with a very long 19-second period, light cross-shore wind, and energy at 466. It’s glassy-ish, but that long period will make it break straight at this beach setup – better for a point or reef. Score is only 1 out of 10.
From there into the last week of September and the 30th, it’s a mix of small, weak swells (mostly under 4ft) with cross-off or cross-onshore winds. A few mornings like the 28th and 29th show clean conditions and marginal scores, but the swell is small and inconsistent. The 28th morning has 4ft from the SSE, period 8 seconds, with a clean cross-off breeze – worth a look if you’re desperate, but it’s not firing.
Overall, the only true standout is Saturday morning the 19th. After that, the forecast is thin and uncertain. For a spot that’s fairly consistent, this run is a bit of a dud, but it won’t stay like this forever. Keep an eye on the charts.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 22°C on Tue morning, min 13°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Mon night, strong winds from the S by Wed afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sat morning, min 14°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SE 11 | SE 10 | NE 5 | NE 6 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | NE 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
56 | 24 | 50 | 39 | 604 | 1530 | 1484 | 2047 | 1550 | 497 | 203 | 137 | 149 | 132 | 101 | 78 | 56 | 45 | 28 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | off |
High Tide | 10:30AM1.44m | 10:35PM1.12m | 11:11AM1.38m | 11:15PM0.99m | 11:58AM1.31m | 00:04AM0.88m | 12:56PM1.24m | 1:14AM0.80m | 2:09PM1.21m | 2:46AM0.78m | 3:23PM1.23m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:02AM0.14m | 4:47PM0.28m | 4:33AM0.22m | 5:36PM0.38m | 5:08AM0.31m | 6:35PM0.46m | 5:50AM0.39m | 7:52PM0.52m | 6:49AM0.46m | 9:21PM0.51m | 8:10AM0.49m | 10:31PM0.45m | |||||||
— | 5:46 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 23 | 21 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 19 |
Feels °C | 14 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 5 | SE 10 | SE 10 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 13 | ENE 13 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | NE 6 |
13 | 24 | 23 | 39 | 4 | 18 | 17 | 1055 | 835 | 497 | 203 | 137 | 149 | 132 | 101 | 78 | 56 | 45 | 20 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 11 | E 15 | E 9 | E 15 | E 14 | — | — | E 13 | S 19 | E 12 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | SSE 17 | NE 4 | NE 4 | S 17 | SSE 8 |
56 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 4 | — | — | 3 | 7 | 3 | 58 | 83 | 47 | 20 | 58 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 28 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | E 14 | E 12 | — | — | — | — | NE 8 | S 19 | S 19 | SSE 19 | SSE 18 | SSE 16 | E 11 | SSE 17 | S 16 | — | S 22 |
2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 7 | 7 | 35 | 61 | 52 | 3 | 57 | 5 | — | 9 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 3 | NE 5 | NE 5 | SSW 3 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | S 10 | S 10 | — | — | ENE 2 | — | — | NE 4 | NNE 4 | NNE 4 | NE 4 | — |
3 | 19 | 50 | 7 | 604 | 1530 | 1484 | 2047 | 1550 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 11 | 15 | 11 | 17 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 46 | 1615 | 72 | 415 | 1167 | 28 | 60 | 105 | 0 | 9 | 169 | 0 | 0 | 46 | 0 | 72 | 169 | 1 |
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.










