Surf Forecasts:
Burleigh Heads surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 22 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 7s period, ENE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 8s period, ENE swell with 270 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 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 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s. 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 1.4m 8s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Tue 25th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Burleigh Heads over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Righto, let’s get into it. This is a bit of a tough stretch for the Gold Coast, with Burleigh Heads copping a lot of average conditions. The water temp is sitting at 68°F, which is about normal for this time of year, nothing wild there.
The first few days are pretty flat and messy. Friday morning the 21st has a tiny 3ft glassy wave from the ESE, but it’s a short period of 7 seconds and the combined energy is weak (93). It’s surfable, but honestly, it’s pretty ordinary. That afternoon the wind swings onshore and the surf drops to 2ft, so it’s a write-off. Saturday and Sunday are no better – small, crumbly swells in the 3ft to 3ft range with cross-shore winds and poor quality. A real low point.
We’ve got a long gap here with no proper surf on offer. The entire week from the 21st through to the 30th of August is a dud. The swell tries to push up a bit around Tuesday the 26th (4ft, 8 seconds), but the wind is all over the place – cross, cross-off, then onshore again. The energy numbers get into the moderate range (165 to 299), but the conditions never line up. It’s frustrating.
The only true standout in this whole 16-day window comes on the morning of Tuesday the 1st of September. That’s over a week away, so keep that in mind – it’s promising but not locked in yet. Early Tuesday, we’ve got 6ft of east swell with an 8-second period, combined energy of 338 (moderate), and more importantly, a clean offshore wind from the SSW. This is the kind of moment you wait for at Burleigh – the point should be grooming up nicely, with decent shape and clean faces. It’s an advanced break, and it’s often crowded, so expect plenty of company. The swell is over 5ft, so it’s not for beginners. That afternoon the wind swings cross-offshore and the swell drops slightly, but it’s still a solid day.
The week after that fades out again. Wednesday the 2nd has clean but smaller waves (4ft, then 4ft), but the wind gets up to 18 mph, making it tough. Thursday the 3rd has a bit of a longer period (10 seconds) but the wind goes cross-on, killing the quality. The rest of the forecast into early September is just small, choppy, or onshore dribble.
Honestly, if you’re keen, circle Tuesday the 1st of September on the calendar. That morning is your best shot. The rest is a waiting game.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sat afternoon, min 15°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 26°C on Wed afternoon, min 16°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 59 | 43 | 77 | 63 | 72 | 74 | 105 | 86 | 74 | 60 | 90 | 125 | 131 | 270 | 212 | 170 | 159 | 174 | 168 | 138 | 100 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | on | cross-off | cross | cross | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | off | on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:04PM1.21m | 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 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — |
 | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:29 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 24 | 26 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 16 |
Feels °C | 16 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 |
| kJ | 59 | 41 | 77 | 63 | 72 | 74 | 105 | 86 | 74 | 60 | 90 | 125 | 131 | 270 | 212 | 170 | 159 | 174 | 168 | 138 | 100 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | ESE 7 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 9 | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 7 | SSE 11 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 14 | NE 10 | NE 9 |
| kJ | 47 | 43 | 22 | 15 | 14 | 10 | 8 | 4 | 13 | 25 | 40 | 49 | 31 | 29 | 17 | 16 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 23 | 95 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | E 13 | E 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | SE 7 | SE 11 | S 9 | NE 7 | S 18 | SSE 5 | — | NE 16 | NE 14 | NE 14 | NE 13 | NE 12 | S 8 | S 6 |
| kJ | 34 | 41 | 4 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 15 | 12 | 6 | 3 | — | 10 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 24 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | NNW 2 | — | — | — | ENE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 3 | SSE 4 | SSE 4 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 25 | 30 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 147 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 5 | 12 | 0 | 13 | 166 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 12 | 5 |
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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