Burleigh Heads Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s break down the next couple weeks at Burleigh Heads. It’s a bit of a waiting game, so don’t rush. The first proper session worth getting up for isn’t until the morning of Saturday, 29 August, and everything before that is mostly flat or a write-off. Water temp’s about 69°, which is normal for this time of year.

From now through the 28th, it’s a rough patch. Wednesday morning 26 August is clean but tiny – 4ft from the ENE (7 sec) with a light cross-off WNW breeze at 6 mph. Wave energy is weak (144), and it’s just ordinary. Thursday morning 27 August has stronger SSE wind at 12 mph, but the swell drops to 3ft from the E (8 sec) – clean, but barely breaking. Thursday afternoon turns messy with 5ft SSE swell and even stronger wind. Friday morning 28 August is clean but average with 4ft SSE swell (8 sec) and light S wind at 3 mph, though energy is moderate at 217. The afternoon picks up a slight cross-chop.

Finally, Saturday morning 29 August brings the first real good surf. Swell comes in at 3ft from the SSE (10 sec period), with a light SSE breeze at 6 mph making it perfectly clean. Combined energy is solid at 274, and the wave comment says it – expect good surf. It’s not huge, but the longer period (10 sec) gives you nice shape and a bit of drive. Crowds are often at Burleigh, so beat the rush.

Sunday morning 30 August sees a bigger, chunkier 7ft SSE swell, but the period drops to 7 sec and the wind is a moderate SSE at 12 mph. That’s expert-only territory due to size, and the short period will make it dumpy. The energy is strong at 566, but it’s marginal. Sunday afternoon gets worse with 15 mph wind and rain.

Monday morning 31 August offers another clean shot with 5ft from the SE (6 sec) and lighter S wind at 6 mph. Clean, but short period and moderate energy (289). Still a solid session for anyone comfortable with size.

Tuesday 1 September and Wednesday 2 September drop off into poor, onshore junk. Flat and messy.

Now the real standout – the best session by far – is Monday morning, 7 September. This one’s a proper event. Swell cranks up to 10ft from the SSE (8 sec) with a light SSE breeze at 6 mph, making it glassy and clean. Combined energy is massive at 1116 – that’s powerful, heavy surf. This is strictly for experienced surfers only (over 8ft), and with an 8-second period, expect fast, hollow waves. The cross-off wind keeps the faces clean, but the paddle-out will be a battle. Crowds are often at Burleigh, but on a day like this, only the hardcore will be out. If you’re an expert, mark it.

After that, Tuesday and Wednesday (8–10 September) fizzle into small, onshore slop, with the morning of 10 September showing glassy 3ft from the E (8 sec) – surfable but nothing exciting.

Bottom line: wait until the 29th for a clean, fun session, and then lock in Monday 7 September for the big one if you’ve got the skills. For everyone else, the mornings around the 29th and 31 August are your window. Keep an eye on the charts – things can change. Rusty out.

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