
Surf Forecasts:
Burleigh Heads surf forecast from 4 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 8 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 10s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 9 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 10s period, E swell with 356 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 5 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 11s period with ESE 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 Wednesday (Aug 05) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 3s 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 1.4m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 09) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 08) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Wed 5th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Sat 8th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Sun 9th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Burleigh Heads over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ll be straight with you – the next couple of weeks at Burleigh Heads are a real mixed bag, and honestly, pretty quiet for the most part. We’ve got a stretch of small, weak swell and tricky winds, but there’s a couple of windows that might just get your heart pumping if you’re patient.
The water temp is sitting right around 69°, which is bang on average for this time of year – nothing to write home about.
First thing’s first, Tuesday, August 4th. It’s a tiny start. Morning glass-off with a north wind at 3 mph and 3 ft of SSE swell, period 9 seconds. The energy is weak (147), and it’s just surfable, not special. Afternoon turns onshore, so that window shrinks fast.
Wednesday, August 5th and Thursday, August 6th are a write-off – poor conditions with cross-shore winds and tiny, inconsistent waves. Don’t bother.
Now, Friday, August 7th morning has a little bump with 2 ft from the ENE, period 7 seconds, but it’s short-period slop and cross-shore wind. No go.
Here’s the first real standout: Saturday, August 8th morning. The swell picks up to 4 ft from the south, period 9 seconds, and the wind is a clean cross-offshore from the SSE at 9 mph. The wave energy jumps to moderate (329). It’s clean, and Burleigh (Gold Coast) is a point break that loves a bit of south swell. This is your best bet for the whole first week – but it’s still only marginal, so keep your expectations in check. The afternoon gets blown out by a strong SE wind at 16 mph.
Sunday, August 9th morning has a similar 4 ft from the east, period 9 seconds, but the wind is cross-shore. It’s surfable but nothing to shout about.
The entire second week, from Monday, August 10th through to Wednesday, August 19th, is a real grind. Most days have small swell, usually under 3 ft, and moderate cross-shore or cross-off winds. The energy is mostly weak to moderate (99 to 329). There’s a couple of mornings on Tuesday, August 11th and Wednesday, August 12th with glassy or clean conditions, but the swell is tiny and ordinary. Friday, August 14th has a glimmer – 3 ft from the south, period 10 seconds, with clean cross-off wind, and the energy is moderate (298). It’s marginal, but could be a sneaky session if you’re keen.
Honestly, if you’re a beginner, anything over 5 ft isn’t here, so you’re safe. But for everyone else, don’t expect any barrels. The best wave of the whole period is that Saturday, August 8th morning – 4 ft south swell, clean wind, and Burleigh’s point is made for that direction. Get in early, because crowds are often there, and it’s a fairly exposed spot.
Overall, it’s a quiet run. The swell energy is low, and the consistency is poor most days. Hang in there, forecasts can change.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Wed morning, min 13°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat morning, min 14°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | ESE 11 | E 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | S 9 | ENE 8 | ESE 8 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
92 | 62 | 130 | 190 | 96 | 57 | 38 | 33 | 33 | 43 | 56 | 89 | 211 | 81 | 90 | 288 | 356 | 282 | 235 | 198 | 168 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | on | cross-off | cross | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | cross | cross | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:38AM1.25m | 11:37PM1.34m | 12:33PM1.27m | 00:31AM1.18m | 1:41PM1.32m | 1:41AM1.03m | 2:57PM1.40m | 3:08AM0.94m | 4:13PM1.52m | 4:32AM0.94m | 5:18PM1.66m | 5:39AM0.99m | 6:14PM1.80m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:30PM0.36m | 6:06AM0.18m | 6:37PM0.44m | 6:54AM0.23m | 8:05PM0.48m | 7:56AM0.27m | 9:46PM0.45m | 9:08AM0.26m | 11:11PM0.34m | 10:21AM0.21m | 00:13AM0.22m | 11:25AM0.12m | 1:04AM0.11m | ||||||||
6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | |
— | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 18 | 17 | 21 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 19 | 18 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 23 | 24 | 16 |
Feels °C | 16 | 15 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 19 | 19 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | ESE 11 | E 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ESE 8 | E 9 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 |
92 | 62 | 130 | 190 | 96 | 57 | 46 | 30 | 33 | 43 | 56 | 89 | 97 | 81 | 90 | 288 | 356 | 282 | 235 | 198 | 168 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ENE 7 | SSE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 4 | ESE 8 | E 8 | S 5 | ESE 10 | S 10 | S 10 | ESE 9 | E 9 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | S 8 | NE 9 | NE 7 | N 4 |
42 | 24 | 18 | 6 | 35 | 14 | 38 | 33 | 7 | 33 | 48 | 48 | 16 | 38 | 60 | 43 | 24 | 12 | 20 | 9 | 12 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | SSE 8 | NE 9 | SE 8 | ENE 7 | S 7 | S 6 | ESE 9 | SSE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | E 16 | E 14 | NE 9 | SSE 9 | S 5 | NNE 10 | S 8 | S 8 | NE 7 |
13 | 13 | 24 | 3 | 3 | 28 | 14 | 7 | 25 | 33 | 19 | 17 | 5 | 4 | 28 | 26 | 4 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 9 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | N 3 | NW 3 | — | NW 3 | — | — | — | S 5 | SSE 4 | S 4 | S 9 | SSE 5 | S 5 | S 5 | — | NNE 8 | NW 4 | N 4 | NNW 4 |
— | — | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | — | — | — | 10 | 17 | 7 | 211 | 75 | 24 | 19 | — | 37 | 10 | 14 | 19 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 64 | 0 | 0 | 63 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 0 | 12 | 12 | 0 | 12 | 12 | 0 | 5 | 14 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gold Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
Latest Updates
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.











