Surf Forecasts:
Burleigh Heads surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 18 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 10s period, SE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 9s period, SSE swell with 3,056 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 8s period with SE 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 Saturday (Sep 12) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 19s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 13s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Burleigh Heads in the next 16 days are 4.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Fri 18th Sep) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Wed 16th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Burleigh Heads over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s talk about Burleigh Heads in feet. The story is the same: a long, flat, frustrating start. From now until the afternoon of September 17th, it’s mostly tiny, blown-out slop. Worth staying home for the first week.
The saving grace, and the only real standout, is the run of swell that starts on the 16th of September. Wednesday afternoon we see a 10ft SSE groundswell roll in with 8-second intervals. The combined energy is solid (1047). It’s big, and with a clean cross-offshore wind from the SSE at 22 mph, the point will be groomed. But 10ft is strictly for experienced chargers.
The peak is Thursday the 17th of September. Swell size hits 12ft from the SSE, period stretching to 10 seconds. The energy is massive (2349). This is a serious, powerful groundswell. Winds from the south at 16 mph keep it glassy and clean. This is the day to have a big board and a lot of respect. It’s a point break, so it will handle the size, but it’s not a place for the faint of heart.
Friday the 18th still delivers 8ft waves with clean cross-offshore wind. After that, the swell fades and the wind turns onshore. For the best shot, make Thursday the 17th the date. Water temp sits around 70°, no big anomaly. Stay safe out there.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 21°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WNW on Tue night, fresh winds from the SSE by Wed afternoon). | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | N 4 | E 6 | SSE 8 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 12 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 251 | 221 | 179 | 149 | 111 | 88 | 73 | 45 | 46 | 32 | 27 | 27 | 1047 | 3029 | 2349 | 2157 | 1621 | 1151 | 802 | 1055 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off |
High Tide | 8:36PM1.59m | 9:02AM1.50m | 9:10PM1.45m | 9:40AM1.49m | 9:44PM1.30m | 10:19AM1.44m | 10:19PM1.16m | 11:01AM1.37m | 10:59PM1.02m | 11:51AM1.29m | 11:50PM0.91m | 12:55PM1.22m | 1:08AM0.83m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:52AM0.01m | 3:07PM0.12m | 3:21AM0.06m | 3:49PM0.22m | 3:51AM0.13m | 4:32PM0.33m | 4:23AM0.22m | 5:21PM0.43m | 4:59AM0.32m | 6:22PM0.52m | 5:45AM0.41m | 7:47PM0.56m | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — |
 | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — |
mm | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 21 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 19 | 19 | 16 |
Feels °C | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SSE 19 | SSE 20 | SE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | ENE 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | NE 13 | — | — | — | NE 12 | NE 15 | SE 11 | SE 12 |
| kJ | 251 | 36 | 41 | 149 | 111 | 88 | 73 | 34 | 24 | 17 | 17 | 27 | 7 | — | — | — | 6 | 9 | 182 | 1055 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 20 | E 9 | NE 14 | SSE 19 | E 5 | E 6 | E 6 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | N 5 | — | — | — | — | E 12 | S 19 | NE 15 | S 9 |
| kJ | 39 | 6 | 7 | 37 | 21 | 31 | 23 | 45 | 46 | 32 | 16 | 15 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 7 | 8 | 126 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 12 | E 13 | E 11 | E 8 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | NE 8 | E 10 | NE 12 | ESE 6 | E 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 19 | NE 14 |
| kJ | 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 8 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SE 8 | SE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 4 | N 4 | S 4 | SSE 8 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | — |
| kJ | — | 221 | 179 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 27 | 12 | 1047 | 3029 | 2349 | 2157 | 1621 | 1151 | 802 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 5 | 0 | 12 | 12 | 0 | 12 | 160 | 0 | 118 | 399 | 49 | 193 | 1377 | 852 | 5 | 285 | 5 | 11 | 12 | 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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