Surf Forecasts:
Burleigh Heads surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 8s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 11s period, ESE swell with 943 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 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 Tuesday (Aug 18) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s 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 2.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 10AM. 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 8s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Burleigh Heads over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s cut to it – Burleigh Heads is your only game on this forecast, and honestly, it’s been a tough run. There’s no real pumping swell to get the heart racing, but one little session might save the week. The water is around 68°F, about 1°F cooler than usual, so pretty average – just a spring suit will do.
From now through Monday the 19th of August, it’s messy. Winds are cross-shore or cross-onshore most of the time, swell running 5ft to 7ft, with short periods of 7-8 seconds. The wave energy is moderate but messy (values between 462 and 815). The 7ft is a bit much for beginners, and the chop is ugly. Not worth paddling out.
Tuesday the 20th of August morning is the only real chance. A light S wind at 6 mph goes cross-off, giving clean conditions. Swell is 6ft from the ESE at 8 seconds, wave energy moderate (378). It’s not big or long-period, but the clean face makes it workable. This is the standout – not a classic, but the only one that’s not a total write-off.
From Friday the 23rd of August onward, it gets tiny and weak. Swell drops below 4ft and often sits around 3ft to 3ft from the ENE, with short periods of 7 seconds. Winds turn cross-on or even glassy at times (like Tuesday the 27th of August), but the energy falls into double digits (as low as 65), meaning barely a ripple. By early September, it’s still small and choppy.
There’s a long gap from around the 23rd of August through to the end. Even the glassy morning on the 27th is just too small to get excited about. A longboard might catch a knee-high slider on the clean days, but that’s it.
Burleigh is a consistent point, but this stretch is mostly flat and uninspiring. Keep an eye on Tuesday the 20th of August morning – it’s your best shot.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon morning, min 14°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Warm (max 21°C on Sat morning, min 15°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 9 | ESE 8 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 472 | 452 | 464 | 502 | 557 | 545 | 943 | 487 | 268 | 297 | 327 | 117 | 124 | 100 | 100 | 109 | 133 | 172 | 135 | 120 | 1 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:00AM1.34m | 10:57PM1.30m | 11:47AM1.30m | 11:34PM1.13m | 12:41PM1.25m | 00:21AM0.99m | 1:48PM1.21m | 1:30AM0.88m | 3:04PM1.21m | 3:06AM0.83m | 4:14PM1.27m | 4:29AM0.86m | 5:09PM1.36m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:56PM0.33m | 5:16AM0.17m | 5:47PM0.46m | 5:53AM0.26m | 6:51PM0.57m | 6:38AM0.35m | 8:20PM0.62m | 7:39AM0.42m | 10:02PM0.59m | 8:58AM0.44m | 11:12PM0.50m | 10:11AM0.40m | 11:58PM0.40m | ||||||||
 | |  | |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | |  | | | | | |
 | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — |
 | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:27 | — |
mm | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 18 |
Feels °C | 12 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | S 18 | ENE 9 | E 9 | ESE 15 | ESE 12 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | SE 10 | ENE 6 | ESE 8 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 8 |
| kJ | 25 | 6 | 17 | 15 | 21 | 99 | 105 | 70 | 268 | 35 | 327 | 117 | 124 | 100 | 100 | 109 | 133 | 172 | 135 | 120 | 133 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 18 | — | SE 14 | S 10 | SE 14 | S 12 | S 11 | S 8 | ENE 7 | ESE 11 | — | SE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SSE 7 | S 9 | SSE 9 | NE 10 |
| kJ | 13 | — | 8 | 31 | 32 | 11 | 20 | 6 | 68 | 13 | — | 91 | 32 | 22 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 4 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | E 9 | — | — | — | S 10 | S 9 | NE 9 | — | — | S 14 | S 13 | E 13 | ENE 9 | ESE 10 | S 9 | SE 7 | S 19 | S 8 |
| kJ | 4 | 4 | 3 | 15 | — | — | — | 33 | 6 | 3 | — | — | 4 | 3 | 3 | 17 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 11 | SE 11 | — | SE 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 472 | 452 | 464 | 502 | 557 | 545 | 943 | 487 | — | 297 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 12 | 12 | 5 | 12 | 12 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 14 | 166 | 0 | 30 | 166 | 0 | 5 | 194 | 3 |
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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