Bribie Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Rusty here. Let’s get real about this stretch of coast for the next 16 days.

It’s a slow one, no two ways about it. We’re looking at a long, dry spell right at the start with hardly anything to get excited about. The first real chance to paddle out doesn’t come until the afternoon of Friday, August 21st, and even then it’s more about the wind behaving than any serious swell. This kind of flat run is not unusual for the area when the swell direction doesn’t line up.

The first week is pretty much a write-off. Thursday the 13th gives us a tiny 1 ft easterly windswell with a 9-second period, combined energy of just 39 (weak). A moderate cross-off breeze keeps it clean, but there’s no power. Water temp is 67°, which is a bit cooler than average for this time of year. That pattern holds: small, weak swell and mostly onshore or cross-shore winds keeping things messy. Sunday the 16th sees a bump to 5 ft from the SE, but it’s up against a fresh 19 mph cross-onshore – blown out.

From Tuesday the 18th through Thursday the 20th, the combined energy jumps into the 330–535 range (moderate to strong), with swell sitting between 5 ft and 7 ft from the E/ESE. The problem? Fresh 22 mph SE winds with a cross or cross-onshore component, making it lumpy and choppy. At over 7 ft, that’s expert territory, but the quality is poor. Honestly, that stretch looks more like a kite-surfing setup than a paddle session.

The one real standout is Friday the 21st of August in the afternoon. The wind eases to a gentle 9 mph from the ENE, going cross-off. The swell is a modest 4 ft from the east at 8 seconds, with a combined energy of 252 (moderate). This is the only window flagged with good conditions. It’s not going to be pumping, but with clean surface and a bit of push, Bribie Island is your go-to. It’s a beginner-friendly break, though it’s inconsistent and can get crowded sometimes. The offshore wind will make it look its best.

After that, the energy fades. Saturday the 22nd afternoon has a clean window with 3 ft east swell and a light NNE cross-off, but it’s weak (176 energy). Sunday the 23rd afternoon has offshore NNE winds at 9 mph, giving clean lines but only 3 ft of weak swell. The final week from the 24th onward drops to tiny waves under 2 ft with no real energy. A few clean pockets here and there, but barely worth the paddle.

Bottom line: one decent clean window on Friday afternoon the 21st for those who are patient. The rest of the 16 days is a waiting game. Leave the board in the rack and keep an eye on the sky.

Rusty.

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