Headlands surfForecast / NSW – Illawarra / Australia

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 10 am Friday 02 Jan 2026 AEDT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Headlands surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Headlands sea temperature is
21.5° C
(Which is slightly cooler than normal)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Headlands this week:

The surf forecast for Headlands over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jan 03) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 3s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Headlands in the next 12 days are 2.1m 7s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jan 08) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Jan 06) at 5AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Sat 3rd Jan)2.5ft (0.8m) 9s
Best Surf11PM (Sun 4th Jan)6ft (1.8m) 7s
Most Powerful11PM (Thu 8th Jan)7ft (2.1m) 7s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Headlands over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 26mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Warm (max 24°C on Sun afternoon, min 17°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Warm (max 28°C on Wed afternoon, min 18°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
02
Saturday
03
Sunday
04
Monday
05
Tuesday
06
Wednesday
07
Thursday
08
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
2
0
0
0
1
0
2
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.1
ESE
0.9
SE
0.8
SE
0.9
SSE
0.8
SSE
0.7
SE
1.3
NE
1.2
ENE
1.4
NE
1
ENE
0.9
ENE
0.9
ENE
0.7
ENE
0.6
S
0.3
ESE
0.4
E
1.2
NE
1.3
NE
1.3
NE
2.1
NE
1.9
NE
Period(s) (?)11109888667767659956767
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)26513499937265118871949162763621162763136144349396
Wind
(km/h)
10
SE
15
ESE
5
NNE
15
NNE
15
ENE
10
NNE
10
ENE
5
N
5
NW
10
SE
5
WSW
15
SSW
10
SSE
10
ESE
5
WNW
15
NNE
20
NE
10
N
15
NNE
25
NE
5
ESE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
cross-
on
glasscross-
on
oncross-
on
oncrossglasscrossoffcross-
off
crosscross-
on
glasscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
8:39PM
1.10
8:39AM
1.80
9:33PM
1.11
9:29AM
1.81
10:23PM
1.13
10:18AM
1.78
11:12PM
1.13
11:05AM
1.70
12:00AM
1.14
11:51AM
1.57
12:48AM
1.15
12:36PM
1.42
1:37AM
1.17
Low Tide
/ height (m)
2:42PM
0.01
2:05AM
0.26
3:34PM
-0.05
2:56AM
0.25
4:23PM
-0.06
3:47AM
0.26
5:10PM
-0.03
4:37AM
0.29
5:55PM
0.02
5:29AM
0.34
6:37PM
0.09
6:22AM
0.41
7:18PM
0.18
Friday
02
Saturday
03
Sunday
04
Monday
05
Tuesday
06
Wednesday
07
Thursday
08
Sunrise5:47--5:48--5:48--5:50--5:50--5:50--5:52--
Sunset-8:10--8:10--8:10--8:10--8:10--8:10--8:10-
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
Rain (mm)
----1--187-6----------
Temp. °C192018212220232420222120222320272823293024
Feels °C (?)181717201918252322232322232322272723282823
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder

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Information about the Headlands Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Headlands provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 12 days. A general guide to surfing at Headlands can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Headlands 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 (Headlands) 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 Headlands 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.

Headlands is 19 km (12 miles) from Wollongong. If you plan a holiday in Illawarra, look for hotels and other accommodation in Wollongong. Wollongong has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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