Headlands surfForecast / NSW – Illawarra / Australia

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 9 pm Saturday 11 Apr 2026 AEST
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
22.5° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Headlands this week:

The surf forecast for Headlands over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Apr 12) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Headlands in the next 16 days are 3.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Apr 18) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 5s period and expected on Sunday (Apr 12) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Sun 12th Apr)3.5ft (1.1m) 14s
Best Surf 7AM (Mon 13th Apr)6ft (1.8m) 15s
Most Powerful 4PM (Sat 18th Apr)11ft (3.5m) 15s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Sat night, calm by Mon afternoon).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Thu morning, min 14°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Sat
18
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
3
4
4
2
4
3
1
2
1
0
1
0
1
1
1
0
3
3
4
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.1
E
1.2
E
1.3
E
1.6
E
1.8
E
1.9
S
1.8
S
2
S
1.8
S
1.4
S
1.3
S
1.1
S
0.9
S
0.7
S
0.7
S
0.7
SSW
0.6
S
0.6
S
2.5
S
3.5
S
3.5
S
Period(s) (?)14131314151211101091099988911111115
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)4945135991041139210417417716003413072021327369556185179625975372
Wind
(km/h)
25
WSW
25
WSW
25
WSW
15
WSW
5
SSW
10
ENE
10
W
5
SSE
15
E
10
NW
10
NNW
10
ENE
10
W
20
W
15
WSW
10
WNW
25
WSW
15
SSE
25
S
25
SSW
30
S
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
offoffoffoffcross-
off
onoffglassoncross-
off
crossoncross-
off
cross-
off
offcross-
off
offcrosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
High Tide
/ height (m)
3:41AM
1.26
4:51PM
1.03
4:36AM
1.31
5:34PM
1.15
5:25AM
1.36
6:13PM
1.28
6:13AM
1.39
6:51PM
1.41
7:00AM
1.40
7:29PM
1.53
7:47AM
1.39
8:09PM
1.62
8:36AM
1.34
Low Tide
/ height (m)
10:36AM
0.32
10:21PM
0.53
11:18AM
0.24
11:17PM
0.43
11:56AM
0.17
12:08AM
0.32
12:33PM
0.12
12:57AM
0.21
1:11PM
0.09
1:45AM
0.12
1:49PM
0.10
2:34AM
0.05
2:29PM
0.14
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
14
Wednesday
15
Thursday
16
Friday
17
Sat
18
Sunrise-6:16--6:16--6:16--6:18--6:18--6:18--6:20-
Sunset--5:37--5:36--5:35--5:32--5:31--5:30--5:30
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
---------------------
Temp. °C142020151820152020162424172727192422161718
Feels °C (?)6141491517131818162122172323161919141111
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Quick surf report for Headlands:

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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 16 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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