
Surf Forecasts:
Burleigh Heads surf forecast from 11 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 13 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, SE swell with 921 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 12 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 9s period with E 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 12) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 9s period. 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 2.5m 8s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 15) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Burleigh Heads over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the menu for the next couple of weeks.
We’ve got a slow start, but don’t write it off. The first real surf we see is Wednesday morning, the 12th of August, with some small, clean lines at Burleigh Heads. It’s not going to get you out of bed, but there’s a chance for a sneaky session. The swell is a tiny 2 ft from the East, with a period of 9 seconds – that’s just enough to push through. The real standout is the wind: Wednesday afternoon it goes dead glass. That’s rare, and it’ll make those little waves look like a million bucks. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
Thursday the 13th builds a little, with a 4 ft S’ly swell in the morning, but the wind is a cross-off, so it’ll be clean. The energy is starting to creep up, hitting 235 (moderate). By the afternoon, the wind swings SE and picks up, so the quality drops fast.
The real story starts to unfold around the 19th and 20th of August. We’ve got a solid, long-period groundswell on the way. Thursday morning the 20th is the pick of the first week: an 8 ft swell from the East, with a 10-second period, and the wind is a light cross-off. The wave energy is massive – 1310 (very strong). Burleigh Heads is a point break, which is exactly where you want to be for this kind of long-period groundswell. It’ll have shape, power, and those long, peeling walls. The morning will be clean, but it’s going to be a big one – over 8 ft, so this is for experienced surfers only. This is the standout.
Then, Saturday morning the 22nd of August. Another beauty. The swell dips slightly to 7 ft, but the period stretches to 11 seconds, and the wind is glassy again from the NE. The energy is 1203 (very strong). This is a classic Burleigh morning – long lines, glassy conditions, and that E’ly groundswell wrapping in perfectly. The crowd will be there, though, so be ready for a pack.
Anything in the second week, like the 25th and 26th, is smaller and more marginal. The swell drops to 4 ft-4 ft, and the wind is either glassy or light onshore. It’s not a write-off, but compared to the 20th and 22nd, it’s a rest day.
So, to keep it simple: you’re waiting for Thursday the 20th and Saturday the 22nd. Those are your sessions. The 20th has the size, the 22nd has the glass. Both are top-tier for Burleigh. Don’t bother with the small stuff before that unless you’re desperate for a paddle.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Wed morning, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Warm (max 20°C on Sat morning, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | ||||||||||||||
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 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | S 7 | S 8 | SSE 8 | S 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | ENE 9 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | SE 6 | SE 7 | SE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
85 | 83 | 87 | 83 | 104 | 201 | 270 | 258 | 268 | 165 | 29 | 363 | 293 | 360 | 278 | 87 | 157 | 233 | 717 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 7:22AM1.16m | 7:49PM1.92m | 8:07AM1.24m | 8:30PM1.89m | 8:50AM1.31m | 9:09PM1.79m | 9:33AM1.35m | 9:46PM1.65m | 10:16AM1.36m | 10:21PM1.48m | 11:00AM1.34m | 10:57PM1.30m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:47AM0.04m | 1:10PM-0.04m | 2:26AM-0.00m | 1:57PM-0.06m | 3:03AM-0.01m | 2:42PM-0.02m | 3:37AM0.00m | 3:26PM0.07m | 4:10AM0.04m | 4:10PM0.20m | 4:43AM0.10m | 4:56PM0.33m | |||||||
— | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:23 | — | |
mm | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 3 | 3 | 8 |
Temp °C | 16 | 21 | 20 | 14 | 20 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 20 | 19 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 17 |
Feels °C | 12 | 18 | 19 | 12 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | S 7 | S 8 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | E 6 | E 10 | E 9 | E 13 |
85 | 83 | 87 | 83 | 42 | 118 | 43 | 43 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 31 | 33 | 33 | 52 | 16 | 23 | 3 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 6 | S 9 | S 10 | S 9 | E 9 | E 9 | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 8 | E 16 | S 20 | SE 18 | SE 17 | ENE 10 | E 14 | E 13 | S 16 |
15 | 45 | 71 | 61 | 61 | 43 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 11 | 19 | 4 | 3 | 5 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | NE 6 | S 14 | NE 6 | S 10 | NNE 7 | — | S 19 | N 9 | S 19 | S 16 | N 11 | E 16 | E 15 | E 15 | SE 16 | S 15 | S 18 | E 13 |
6 | 10 | 4 | 5 | 28 | 5 | — | 7 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 4 | 6 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 4 | — | NNE 6 | WNW 2 | S 7 | S 8 | SSE 8 | S 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | S 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | SE 6 | SE 7 | SE 8 |
3 | — | 24 | 1 | 104 | 201 | 270 | 258 | 268 | 165 | 184 | 363 | 293 | 360 | 278 | 87 | 157 | 233 | 717 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 11 | 12 | 0 | 12 | 331 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 0 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gold Coast | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.











