Surf Forecasts:
Burleigh Heads surf forecast from 25 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 10s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 30 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 10s period, SSE swell with 674 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 26 Aug, 10AM (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 Wednesday (Aug 26) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 4s. 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 1.9m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 30) 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 1.2m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Burleigh Heads over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break it down in feet and miles per hour.
Looking at Burleigh Heads for the next 16 days, and it’s a rough start. Tuesday the 25th and Wednesday the 26th are mostly poor—tiny waves, cross-onshore breezes around 10–15 mph, and energy readings are moderate at best (182 Tuesday morning), but the waves are messy. Not worth wetting your wetsuit.
Friday morning the 28th gives a little hope—glassy conditions, 3ft southerly swell with 9 second period, energy climbing to 212. It’s clean but still just ordinary, surfable but nothing to write home about.
Saturday the 29th has cross-off winds and a bit more size—3 to 4ft SSE swell, period stretching to 10 seconds, energy at 278–331. Clean but marginal quality.
Sunday the 30th is the real deal. We’re looking at 6ft SSE swell in the morning, 10 second period, cross-off winds. Energy jumps to 735—moderate-strong. Swell direction is right in Burleigh’s sweet spot (SSE), wind is off the land, and the point will be working. This is the standout for experienced surfers. The size is getting up there—just past beginner friendly, but for anyone with a bit of skill, this is the session to aim for. Expect crowds because it’s consistent and good quality.
Monday the 31st drops to about 5ft, energy still solid (583–599), but quality is marginal—might clean up in the afternoon.
From Tuesday September 1st all the way through Wednesday September 9th, it’s mostly small stuff—2ft to 3ft, cross-onshore winds, and energy often below 200. There are a couple glassy moments—September 1st morning and September 9th afternoon—but the swell is tiny and short period, so you’re looking at weak, mushy waves. Not much happening.
So, key takeaway: Sunday the 30th of August is your best window. Clean cross-off winds, solid 6ft SSE groundswell, and Burleigh’s point will be peeling nicely. After that, the second week is quiet—small, choppy, and not worth chasing.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 23°C on Wed morning, min 16°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sat morning. Warm (max 20°C on Fri morning, min 14°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | ENE 8 | E 8 | SSE 8 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | SSE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
149 | 157 | 138 | 101 | 86 | 70 | 87 | 82 | 151 | 158 | 132 | 198 | 209 | 258 | 473 | 674 | 539 | 452 | 398 | 362 | 146 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:29PM1.56m | 6:45AM1.08m | 7:03PM1.64m | 7:19AM1.15m | 7:35PM1.70m | 7:52AM1.23m | 8:06PM1.71m | 8:26AM1.30m | 8:39PM1.68m | 9:01AM1.35m | 9:12PM1.60m | 9:39AM1.40m | 9:48PM1.49m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:50AM0.25m | 1:06AM0.22m | 12:29PM0.17m | 1:37AM0.14m | 1:06PM0.11m | 2:06AM0.08m | 1:42PM0.08m | 2:35AM0.05m | 2:19PM0.07m | 3:05AM0.03m | 2:58PM0.10m | 3:35AM0.05m | 3:40PM0.15m | ||||||||
6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | |
— | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | |
mm | — | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 21 | 19 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 15 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 17 |
Feels °C | 20 | 20 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | ENE 8 | E 8 | SSE 8 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | ENE 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 19 | SSE 8 |
149 | 157 | 138 | 101 | 86 | 70 | 87 | 82 | 151 | 158 | 132 | 198 | 209 | 73 | 54 | 61 | 60 | 57 | 398 | 201 | 146 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | E 8 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 15 | NE 15 | NE 13 | E 9 | ENE 9 | E 11 |
30 | 28 | 16 | 11 | 9 | 36 | 27 | 25 | 74 | 54 | 61 | 66 | 69 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 39 | 26 | 83 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 5 | SE 5 | NE 16 | S 9 | S 9 | NE 13 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NE 8 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NNE 7 | — | NE 10 | N 15 | NE 7 | S 22 | SSE 19 | E 11 | SE 17 |
3 | 1 | 10 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 31 | 14 | 13 | 7 | 4 | — | 4 | 4 | 2 | 9 | 146 | 10 | 75 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | N 4 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | SSW 2 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | — | SE 9 | E 5 |
— | — | 28 | 18 | 9 | 2 | 75 | 78 | — | — | — | — | — | 258 | 473 | 674 | 539 | 452 | — | 362 | 33 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 14 | 166 | 49 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 51 | 51 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 12 | 12 | 0 | 11 | 149 | 11 | 7 | 12 | 0 |
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.











