Burleigh Heads Surf Break

Lat Long: 28.09° S 153.46° E

Burleigh Heads Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 pm 14 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Burleigh Heads sea temperature is
19.9° C
0.9° 

Burleigh Heads surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Burleigh Heads surf forecast from 14 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 8s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 11s period, ESE swell with 785 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 8s period with ESE 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 2.0m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 12s 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 1.8m 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 0.9m 7s period and expected on Friday (Aug 21) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Tue 18th Aug)6.5ft (2.0m) 8s
Best Surf 7AM (Tue 18th Aug)6.5ft (2.0m) 8s
Most Powerful10AM (Wed 19th Aug)6ft (1.8m) 11s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Burleigh Heads over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, grab your board and wax, let’s see what Burleigh Heads has on the menu over the next couple of weeks. I’m Rusty, and I’ll walk you through it.

Right now, the water temp is resting at around 68°, which is about 2° cooler than the long-term average for this time of year. So, it’s pretty much normal, nothing to worry about.

We’ve got a lean start, to be honest. The first few days from the 14th through to the 16th are a write-off for a proper surf. The swell is there, hitting around 5ft to 6ft from the SSE, but the wind is just messy – cross-shore and cross-off with moderate breezes, and the comments are calling it “poor surf conditions.” The wave energy is moderate, with readings around 460 to 440 (moderate energy), but the quality just isn’t there. It’s a pass.

Things start to look a little more promising from Sunday the 16th into Monday the 17th. The swell picks up a bit, hitting 8ft from the SE on Monday morning, with moderate wave energy climbing to 644. But again, the wind is cross-shore, and mixed with rain, it’s still looking shabby. The comments say “marginal surf forecast” at best. For beginners, that 8ft is getting a bit hefty; for the advanced crew, it’s fine, but the conditions just aren’t cooperating.

Now, let’s talk about a true standout. The pick of the entire forecast comes on Wednesday the 19th. We’ve got a nice 5ft to 5ft SSE swell rolling in with a long 11-second period – that’s a proper groundswell, and at a point break like Burleigh Heads, that longer period is a bonus, meaning better shaped waves with more push. The wind is cross-offshore from the SSE at 12 to 15 mph, keeping the faces clean. The wave energy is strong, reading 681 on Wednesday morning. This is the best on offer. The swell direction matches the optimum direction for this break (SSE). It’s not too big, just right for good sessions, though expect a few other surfers around – crowds are listed as “often” here, so you won’t be alone.

After that, we hit a lull. From Friday the 21st through to Sunday the 23rd, the swell drops right off to under 3ft, with weak wave energy (as low as 114). The wind goes glassy at times on Friday morning (NNE 5 mph), but with only 3ft of weak 7-second swell, there’s hardly any push. It’s more of a paddle and float day.

We get a little bump on Sunday the 23rd, with 5ft SSE swell returning and cross-off winds, but the period is short (6 seconds) and the energy is moderate at 279. It’s marginal, not a standout.

The second week, from the 24th onward, is pretty bleak overall. The wind stays on the stronger side (15 to 19 mph from the SE) and the swell is inconsistent, bouncing between 3ft and 6ft, but always with poor surf conditions noted. The wave energy on Tuesday the 25th spikes to 703 (strong energy), but with a cross-shore wind and 6ft from the S, it’s just a messy, lumpy mess. Definitely only for the experienced, and even then, it’s not inviting.

Honest truth: the first week has that one gem on Wednesday the 19th. The rest is mostly washouts. For the experts, maybe Sunday the 16th or Monday the 17th could offer something if you’re desperate, but the wind will fight you. If you can only paddle out once, make it Wednesday the 19th.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Sun night. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun morning, min 14°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Wed night. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed morning, min 14°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
15
Sunday
16
Monday
17
Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
0
0
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
0
2
2
0
2
1
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.6
SSE
8
1.6
SSE
6
1.4
SSE
7
2.2
SSE
7
1.9
SSE
7
1.7
SSE
7
2.3
SE
7
2.2
SE
8
2.1
SE
8
2.2
ESE
8
2
ESE
8
1.9
ESE
8
1.3
SSE
9
1.8
ESE
11
1.8
ESE
8
1.2
SE
8
1.1
SE
8
1.1
SE
8
1
SE
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
283
200
176
421
379
269
492
535
505
546
452
425
258
785
402
187
165
135
120
Wind (km/h)
15
S
25
S
25
SSE
20
S
20
S
25
SSE
25
SSE
20
SE
20
SE
20
ESE
20
SSE
15
SE
10
SSE
20
SSE
20
SE
10
S
10
SSE
10
ESE
5
WSW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
off
High Tide
9:33AM1.35m
9:46PM1.65m
10:16AM1.36m
10:21PM1.48m
11:00AM1.34m
10:57PM1.30m
11:47AM1.30m
11:34PM1.13m
12:41PM1.25m
00:21AM0.99m
1:48PM1.21m
1:30AM0.88m
Low Tide
3:37AM0.00m
3:26PM0.07m
4:10AM0.04m
4:10PM0.20m
4:43AM0.10m
4:56PM0.33m
5:16AM0.17m
5:47PM0.46m
5:53AM0.26m
6:51PM0.57m
6:38AM0.35m
8:20PM0.62m
clear
clear
rain showers
part cloud
clear
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
part cloud
rain showers
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:18
6:16
6:16
6:15
6:13
6:13
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:22
5:23
5:23
5:24
5:24
5:25
 mm
3
1
5
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
3
1
Temp °C
16
18
17
16
19
18
17
18
18
17
17
17
17
18
18
16
17
18
16
Feels °C
14
14
13
13
14
14
12
13
14
13
14
14
14
15
14
15
15
17
16
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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