Surf Forecasts:
Bird Rock surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 22 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 22 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 16s period, SW swell with 1,394 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 15s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Bird Rock this week:
The surf forecast for Bird Rock over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 5s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Bird Rock in the next 16 days are 1.7m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 22) 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 1.1m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 4PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bird Rock over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it. The swell’s been a bit of a slow starter, but there’s a nice pulse coming through later in the week that’ll get the blood pumping. The first few days are pretty flat or weak, so don’t bother paddling out just yet. Save your energy.
Bird Rock (reef) – The wait is real. Tuesday the 18th and Wednesday the 19th are basically write-offs, with tiny waves and poor conditions. Thursday the 20th sees a little lift with a clean 1ft to 2ft SW groundswell, period up to 18 seconds, and a gentle offshore wind – that’s a long-period swell, so expect those long lulls but clean, lined-up waves when they come. Combined energy is only 147 to 163, so it’s weak, but it’s glassy and the reef will help it shape up. Still, not worth getting wet for unless you’re desperate.
Friday the 21st afternoon is where it starts to wake up. 3ft of SW groundswell, 14-second period, combined energy jumps to 487, and the wind turns offshore with a gentle breeze. That’s clean, fun surf for an intermediate crew. Saturday the 22nd is the real standout: 5ft of SW swell, 16-second period, and combined energy cranks up to 1287 in the morning and 1403 in the afternoon. That’s moderate to strong wave energy. The water temp is 56°F, about average for this time of year, so you’ll want a good 4/3 wetsuit. Saturday afternoon is rated excellent for experienced surfers – this is the one to aim for. Crowds are possible here, and it’s a reef break, so only for the skilled.
Sunday the 23rd stays solid, with 5ft SW swell, 16-second period, combined energy at 1403 again, and light offshore winds in the morning. Another cracker for experienced crew. After that, Monday the 24th drops back a bit but still has clean, rideable waves around 3ft to 4ft. The following Tuesday and Wednesday are messy with onshore winds, so don’t bother.
The next real highlight comes Thursday the 27th afternoon with a clean 3ft SW swell, offshore wind, and a combined energy of 405 – good fun for a late session. Then Friday the 28th morning looks very promising: 5ft SW swell, 14-second period, light cross-offshore breeze, and combined energy of 825. That’s a solid session, clean and powerful. After that, the last days of August and into September fade out with small, average conditions.
Best on offer: Saturday 22nd August afternoon at Bird Rock – 5ft SW, 16-second period, clean, powerful, and excellent for experts. The Sunday 23rd August morning is also a ripper. For later in the week, Friday 28th August morning is a sleeper hit with that 5ft swell and light wind.
Stay safe, choose your sets, and don’t be a hero if you’re not ready for the reef. – Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 10°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNE on Wed morning, light winds from the WNW by Thu afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun afternoon, min 8°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
238 | 310 | 196 | 109 | 85 | 54 | 78 | 163 | 161 | 224 | 293 | 1017 | 1265 | 1317 | 1271 | 799 | 1001 | 406 | 529 | 390 | 418 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off |
High Tide | 3:19PM1.94m | 4:01AM1.89m | 3:51PM1.88m | 4:41AM1.83m | 4:21PM1.80m | 5:20AM1.75m | 4:50PM1.71m | 6:00AM1.66m | 5:19PM1.62m | 6:47AM1.56m | 5:50PM1.52m | 7:46AM1.48m | 6:27PM1.43m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:40PM0.15m | 9:56AM0.52m | 10:16PM0.17m | 10:31AM0.63m | 10:50PM0.22m | 11:06AM0.74m | 11:24PM0.30m | 11:40AM0.86m | 00:01AM0.39m | 12:19PM0.97m | 00:44AM0.47m | 1:11PM1.07m | 1:38AM0.55m | ||||||||
7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | |
— | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 13 | 17 | 16 | 12 |
Feels °C | 11 | 12 | 10 | 6 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 6 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 |
31 | 310 | 196 | 109 | 85 | 54 | 69 | 163 | 161 | 224 | 293 | 1017 | 1265 | 1317 | 1271 | 799 | 1001 | 406 | 529 | 390 | 418 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 17 | ESE 5 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SE 7 | SW 18 | SW 18 | E 8 | SW 7 | SW 6 | SW 18 | — | SW 24 | SSW 16 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SSW 12 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 18 |
238 | 11 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 54 | 78 | 1 | 13 | 14 | 194 | — | 22 | 86 | 97 | 316 | 380 | 177 | 18 | 16 | 53 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SE 5 | S 16 | — | — | SE 7 | E 8 | E 8 | — | SW 20 | — | — | — | — | S 15 | S 18 | S 17 | — | SW 21 | NE 4 | — |
149 | 7 | 5 | — | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | 60 | — | — | — | — | 40 | 24 | 22 | — | 18 | 1 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 3 | NE 3 | NE 3 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NW 2 | NW 2 | NW 2 | NW 2 | SW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 3 | NW 4 | — |
3 | 5 | 4 | 47 | 25 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 43 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 8 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 16 | 16 | 39 | 154 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Torquay | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Bird Rock Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Bird Rock provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Bird Rock can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Bird Rock 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 (Bird Rock) 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 Bird Rock 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.
Bird Rock is 23 km (14 miles) from the city of Geelong. If you plan a holiday in Torquay, look for hotels and other accommodation in Geelong. Geelong has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











