Noosa - First Point Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, checking in from the Sunshine Coast. The next 16 days are a real mixed bag for Noosa – First Point, no doubt about it. We’ve got some quiet spells and a couple of rippers way out the back that have got my heart racing, but timing’s the key.

Let’s start with the big picture. The first week is mostly small and ordinary. We’re looking at a lot of knee-to-waist-high dribble with a messy cross-shore wind, so don’t expect much. The standout window is way off in the second week, around the 18th and 19th of August, when a proper groundswell looks like it’s lining up. That’s the one to circle on the calendar. There’s a gap of several days mid-week where the surf is flat and poor, so don’t bother paddling out then.

Right now, early Tuesday morning the 4th of August, there’s a small 2ft southeasterly swell with a weak 9-second period. The combined energy is only 126, so it’s pretty weak. That’s not enough to get excited about, and the water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing weird.

Now, Wednesday morning the 5th of August is a little better. Swell bumps up to 3ft from the east, period 10 seconds, and the wind is a light cross-offshore breeze from the west-southwest. That’ll keep the surface clean. Combined energy climbs to 209, so it’s a moderate pulse. It’s not a standout, but for a small-wave session, it’s the best of the early week.

Thursday the 6th of August, early, is glassy. Winds are dead calm from the south-southwest, and the swell is a tiny 2ft at 8 seconds. The combined energy is only 107. It’s clean but barely there.

The next few days are a write-off. Friday through Sunday the 8th-9th, winds get up and the swell stays small. The exception is Sunday morning the 9th of August – glassy conditions again, with a 4ft easterly swell at 9 seconds and a combined energy of 295. That’s the pick of the first week. Clean, waist-high, and you’ll have it to yourself mostly, but expect crowds often at First Point.

The middle of the week (10th-14th) is a real struggle. The swell drops to 2ft with onshore winds and rain showers. The combined energy dribbles down to 72-108. Not worth paddling out.

Then, on Monday the 17th of August, we start to see the change. The swell picks up dramatically – 5ft in the morning, rising to 7ft by the afternoon, from the south-southeast. The combined energy jumps to 429 and then 507. It’s a short period though (7-9 seconds), so it’ll be lumpy and a bit messy. The wind is cross-offshore, so it’s clean but confused. This is the precursor.

Now, the big one. Tuesday morning the 18th of August. This is the standout. We’re looking at a 8ft south-southeast swell with a 10-second period – that’s proper groundswell, and the combined energy is a massive 1606. That’s strong energy. The wind is offshore from the south-southeast at 15 km/h, so it’s clean and groomed. This is 8ft, so it’s not for beginners – this is for experienced surfers only. The direction is south-southeast, which is a solid match for the optimum swell direction at First Point (ENE), so the point should handle it well. The long period means better shaped waves, but at a point break like this, it’ll be a dream. Expect clean, overhead sets with decent power. Crowds are likely, but it’s worth it.

Wednesday morning the 19th of August is also a cracker, with 7ft south-southeast swell at 10 seconds and a combined energy of 1332. Same offshore wind, just a touch stronger at 25 km/h. Still excellent for experienced surfers. The swell direction matches well, and it’s another day of clean, powerful waves.

So, to wrap it up: the first week is mostly small and average, with Sunday morning the 9th being the only decent option. The real reward is waiting for the 18th and 19th of August. That’s the gold. Surf’s up, but it’s a patient wait.

Rusty.

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