Surf Forecasts:
Burleigh Heads surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 7s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 30 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 9s period, ESE swell with 440 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s period with ENE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Burleigh Heads this week:
The surf forecast for Burleigh Heads over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Burleigh Heads in the next 16 days are 1.7m 9s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 30) 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 1.7m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Sun 30th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Burleigh Heads over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ve got to be straight with you – it’s a pretty frustrating stretch ahead for the Burleigh Heads area. We’ve got a big gap of nothing good for the first seven days. The swell that rolls in is weak and short-period, with onshore or cross-shore winds ruining any chance of quality. The combined wave energy is weak, sitting between 69 and 322 (that’s ‘combined energy of all swells directed here’ for you), but even the higher numbers come with bad wind. It’s a tough start. You might as well leave the board in the car until we get to the end of the month.
Then, on Monday the 31st of August, we finally see a flicker. Morning brings a 5ft swell from the ESE with a period of 7 seconds, and a cross-offshore wind from the SSE at 9 mph. The combined energy is 252, which is moderate, and the conditions are described as clean. It’s only rated a 1 out of 10, meaning you’ll find surfable but very ordinary waves. Not a standout, but it’s the first chance after a long dry spell.
Now, for the one true standout in this whole outlook – you’ve got to lock in Wednesday the 2nd of September, early. The morning is looking magic. We’ve got a 5ft swell rolling in from the E with a period of 8 seconds. The wind is glassy – flat calm from the NNE at just 3 mph. That’s a major positive. The combined energy is 381, which is solid moderate energy, and the wave comment says “expect good surf conditions.” This is the best on offer by a long shot. For an advanced point break like Burleigh Heads, that size is perfect, and with a glassy surface, it’ll be clean and lined up. The swell direction is from the E, which matches up well with the optimum SSE direction for this spot. Get out there early because the afternoon turns onshore and ruins it.
After that, it drops right off again. Thursday the 3rd of September has a 4ft ENE swell with a cross-shore wind, but it’s only marginal. By Friday the 4th, the swell collapses to 1ft with a long 10-second period, but it’s cross-on and weak. The rest of the second week is a write-off – small, short-period slop with onshore northerly winds.
So, bottom line: there’s a seven-day wait for anything, then one solid window on Wednesday morning the 2nd of September. If you can get out then, you’ll be rewarded. Otherwise, it’s a lean run.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 23°C on Wed afternoon, min 15°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu morning, min 16°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | E 7 | E 8 | ENE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 9 | E 8 | E 8 | SE 6 | SE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 105 | 85 | 119 | 140 | 146 | 138 | 89 | 119 | 70 | 88 | 104 | 214 | 143 | 101 | 156 | 69 | 69 | 172 | 226 | 237 | 288 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:52PM1.46m | 6:08AM1.00m | 6:29PM1.56m | 6:45AM1.08m | 7:03PM1.64m | 7:19AM1.15m | 7:35PM1.70m | 7:52AM1.23m | 8:06PM1.71m | 8:26AM1.30m | 8:39PM1.68m | 9:01AM1.35m | 9:12PM1.60m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:06AM0.33m | 00:34AM0.31m | 11:50AM0.25m | 1:06AM0.22m | 12:29PM0.17m | 1:37AM0.14m | 1:06PM0.11m | 2:06AM0.08m | 1:42PM0.08m | 2:35AM0.05m | 2:19PM0.07m | 3:05AM0.03m | 2:58PM0.10m | 3:35AM0.05m | |||||||
 | |  | | |  |  |  | | | |  | | | |  | | | |  |  | |
 | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — |
 | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 22 | 23 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 17 |
Feels °C | 18 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | E 7 | E 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | — | NE 13 |
| kJ | 105 | 85 | 119 | 140 | 146 | 138 | 89 | 119 | 70 | 88 | 104 | 61 | 42 | 61 | 86 | 69 | 69 | 77 | 56 | — | 7 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 6 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | N 4 | NE 8 | NE 7 | NE 8 | NE 10 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NE 10 | E 9 | N 15 | — |
| kJ | 26 | 18 | 70 | 45 | 28 | 16 | 13 | 9 | 24 | 20 | 58 | 54 | 28 | 15 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 40 | 4 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 13 | S 8 | S 17 | — | SE 5 | SE 12 | NE 8 | S 9 | S 9 | NE 10 | S 16 | S 16 | S 16 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 15 | — | — |
| kJ | 17 | 22 | 22 | — | 1 | 6 | 11 | 6 | 6 | 15 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 8 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 4 | — | — | — | — | N 4 | W 3 | NW 4 | SW 2 | SSE 5 | SSE 6 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 9 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 |
| kJ | 1 | — | — | — | — | 15 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 75 | 131 | 214 | 143 | 101 | 156 | 145 | 166 | 172 | 226 | 237 | 288 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 5 | 12 | 0 | 9 | 533 | 146 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 12 | 0 | 5 | 12 | 0 | 51 | 12 | 7 | 12 | 5 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gold Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Burleigh Heads Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Burleigh Heads provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Burleigh Heads can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Burleigh Heads 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 (Burleigh Heads) 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 Burleigh Heads 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.
Burleigh Heads is 10 km (6 miles) from the city of Surfers Paradise. If you plan a holiday in Gold Coast, look for hotels and other accommodation in Surfers Paradise. Surfers Paradise has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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