Surf Forecasts:
Grinders surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 17s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 22 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, SW swell with 5,387 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 15s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Grinders this week:
The surf forecast for Grinders over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Grinders in the next 16 days are 3.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 22) 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 1.1m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Fri 21st Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Grinders over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, mate, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's shaking over the next couple of weeks.
First off, the water temp is sitting at 56°F, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
The immediate outlook for Grinders is a bit of a slow burn. For the first chunk of the period, we're looking at small, average waves and a lot of "marginal" or "poor" labels. On Monday the 17th, there's a SW groundswell of 4ft with a very long 16-second period, so there's some decent energy in the water (677), but the wind is a light cross-on from the ESE, so expect a few bumpy ones. It's not a total write-off, but it's not the best we'll see.
The wind turns offshore on the 19th and 20th, but the swell drops way off, barely scraping 2ft. It's not worth paddling out for. We get a bit of a bump on Friday the 21st afternoon with a 3ft SW swell, 14-second period, and clean conditions under a gentle NW breeze. The energy is building (541), and the forecast says "very good," so that's a solid sneaky session.
Now, the standout for the first week is shaping up for Saturday the 22nd morning. The swell jumps to 5ft from the SW with a 16-second period, and the energy is pumping hard at 1073. It's a strong, powerful groundswell that will be hitting the exposed reef, which is ideal for this kind of setup. The wind is a variable cross-shore from the W, so it's not perfect, but the size and period will make for some solid, heavy waves. This one is for the advanced crew only. By the afternoon, the wind swings cross-on and gets choppy, so get in early.
Sunday the 23rd morning is another strong option. The swell is still a solid 5ft from the SW, with a 14-second period, and the wind turns cross-off from the WNW. The energy is still high at 996, and the forecast rates it "very good." Expect clean, lined-up waves, and crowds are a real possibility, as Grinders can get busy.
From the 24th, things settle down again with smaller, average surf. The next real blip comes on the 30th of August when a short-period S swell (8 seconds) pushes in around 6ft, but the cross-on wind and short period make it a messy, choppy affair. That one's more for the kite surfers than anyone else.
The real fire lights up at the very end of the period. On Monday the 31st of August, we get a 4ft SSW swell with a 14-second period and a massive energy reading of 1051. The wind is light and from the ESE, so it's a little cross-on, but the power is there. The real gem, though, is Tuesday the 1st of September. The morning shows a 3ft SW swell with a very long 17-second period, and the wind goes clean offshore from the NNE. The energy is solid at 651, and the forecast says "very good." The afternoon is even better with the swell pushing 4ft and the same clean offshore wind. This is the pick of the whole forecast: clean, offshore, lined-up, long-period SW groundswell at a wave that loves that direction. It's a promising one, but keep in mind we're looking at a long-range call, so don't book the trip just yet.
Overall, the biggest window of opportunity is Saturday the 22nd morning and Sunday the 23rd morning, with a real standout potential on Tuesday the 1st of September.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue afternoon, min 10°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NE on Mon night, fresh winds from the NNE by Wed morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat morning, min 9°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SW 15 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 14 | WSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
485 | 238 | 310 | 196 | 109 | 85 | 54 | 121 | 91 | 201 | 197 | 393 | 1096 | 1265 | 5387 | 1358 | 902 | 915 | 894 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 3:14AM1.88m | 3:13PM1.90m | 3:56AM1.86m | 3:44PM1.84m | 4:35AM1.81m | 4:14PM1.76m | 5:14AM1.73m | 4:42PM1.68m | 5:55AM1.63m | 5:11PM1.58m | 6:42AM1.54m | 5:40PM1.49m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:12AM0.42m | 9:34PM0.14m | 9:50AM0.52m | 10:09PM0.15m | 10:26AM0.63m | 10:43PM0.21m | 11:00AM0.74m | 11:17PM0.28m | 11:34AM0.85m | 11:53PM0.37m | 12:13PM0.97m | 00:36AM0.46m | |||||||
— | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 12 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 11 |
Feels °C | 11 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 11 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | ENE 5 | SW 14 | WSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 |
485 | 238 | 310 | 196 | 109 | 17 | 54 | 121 | 83 | 201 | 197 | 393 | 1096 | 1265 | 1715 | 1358 | 902 | 915 | 894 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 6 | ESE 5 | ESE 5 | SE 4 | SE 5 | SW 16 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 7 | SW 15 | SW 18 | S 16 | S 17 | S 16 | SW 20 | SW 18 | SSW 17 | SW 16 |
46 | 23 | 11 | 5 | 1 | 85 | 54 | 49 | 91 | 27 | 181 | 194 | 21 | 22 | 46 | 61 | 316 | 57 | 254 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 14 | SE 5 | — | — | SE 7 | E 7 | E 8 | E 7 | — | SW 19 | SW 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | 149 | 7 | — | — | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | 127 | 162 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 6 | NE 3 | NE 3 | NE 3 | NE 5 | N 4 | NW 3 | NW 3 | NW 3 | — | WNW 3 | — | — | — | SW 16 | — | — | — | — |
80 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 54 | 13 | 2 | 1 | 2 | — | 2 | — | — | — | 5387 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 20 | 28 | 59 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Torquay | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Grinders Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Grinders provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Grinders can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Grinders 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 (Grinders) 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 Grinders 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.
Grinders is 34 km (21 miles) from the city of Geelong. If you plan a holiday in Torquay, look for hotels and other accommodation in Geelong. Geelong has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











