Surf Forecasts:
Burleigh Heads surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 8s period, ENE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 8s period, ENE swell with 343 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 7s 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 Saturday (Aug 22) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 4s 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 1.6m 8s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 1AM. 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 9s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Burleigh Heads over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Righto, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's cookin' for Burleigh Heads over the next couple of weeks.
Overall, it's a bit of a slow burner. We've got a few days of ordinary, small waves to start, but the second week is where the real promise is. Hang tight, because from the 29th of August onwards, it starts to get interesting.
It's pretty flat and messy for the first week. Saturday the 22nd kicks off with weak 3ft ENE swell, but at least the wind goes glassy in the afternoon. The swell energy is nothing to write home about (94). Sunday the 23rd is similar, with a bit more wind chop. Monday the 24th and Tuesday the 25th are small and pretty average. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing special.
Then, from the 29th of August, we see a real pulse. The Saturday morning session on the 29th is a standout. It's a bit bigger, with a 5.6ft ENE swell that has some moderate energy behind it (401). The real kicker is the glassy conditions – a light NE breeze keeping it clean. That's the best the first week's got to offer.
The real gem, though, is the 1st of September. The Tuesday morning is glassy with a 5ft E swell and moderate energy (404). The afternoon is even better – dead calm, glassy, with a 5ft E swell. That's about as clean as it gets, and it's a real treat for the banks.
The 2nd of September morning is also a cracker. A 5.6ft E swell with a solid 11-second period, giving it longer lines and proper energy (663). The wind is a clean cross-off from the SSE. It's a bit bigger, so it's more for the advanced crew, but the quality is undeniable.
The last true standout is the 5th of September. The Saturday afternoon brings a 7.2ft S swell with strong energy (893) and a clean cross-off wind. That's a solid, powerful wave, but it's well into the expert-only zone at that size.
So, the pick of the bunch? The 1st of September, Tuesday, with the glassy conditions and that fun, clean E swell. The 5th of September is the big one for the more experienced surfers, but it's a bit further out, so keep an eye on it.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat afternoon, min 15°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 23°C on Wed morning, min 17°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | ||||||||||||||
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) | E 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 59 | 84 | 70 | 81 | 85 | 78 | 74 | 82 | 84 | 122 | 131 | 125 | 138 | 159 | 196 | 291 | 212 | 165 | 343 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | off | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:06AM0.83m | 4:14PM1.27m | 4:29AM0.86m | 5:09PM1.36m | 5:26AM0.92m | 5:52PM1.46m | 6:08AM1.00m | 6:29PM1.56m | 6:45AM1.08m | 7:03PM1.64m | 7:19AM1.15m | 7:35PM1.70m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:02PM0.59m | 8:58AM0.44m | 11:12PM0.50m | 10:11AM0.40m | 11:58PM0.40m | 11:06AM0.33m | 00:34AM0.31m | 11:50AM0.25m | 1:06AM0.22m | 12:29PM0.17m | 1:37AM0.14m | 1:06PM0.11m | 2:06AM0.08m | ||||||
 |  |  |  |  | |  | | |  | | | |  |  | | | | | |
 | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:29 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 23 | 22 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 18 |
Feels °C | 15 | 16 | 18 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | S 10 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 |
| kJ | 59 | 84 | 70 | 81 | 85 | 78 | 74 | 82 | 84 | 122 | 47 | 125 | 138 | 159 | 196 | 291 | 212 | 165 | 343 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 7 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 9 | NE 10 | S 5 | S 9 | S 6 | S 10 | SE 5 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | S 9 | NE 10 | NE 9 | S 10 |
| kJ | 21 | 15 | 14 | 10 | 8 | 4 | 8 | 57 | 21 | 49 | 5 | 29 | 28 | 16 | 16 | 6 | 47 | 141 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 13 | E 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | NE 10 | NE 7 | NE 7 | SE 6 | — | SSE 6 | SE 6 | NE 14 | NE 14 | NE 13 | S 8 | S 10 | — |
| kJ | 4 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 12 | 12 | 9 | — | 3 | 1 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 2 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 4 | WNW 2 | — | — | SSW 3 | S 5 | — | — | — | — | ENE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | — |
| kJ | 6 | 1 | — | — | 2 | 19 | — | — | — | — | 131 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 5 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 194 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 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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