Headlands surfForecast / NSW – Illawarra / Australia

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 4 pm Wednesday 24 Dec 2025 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
22.8° C
(Which is 1.1°C warmer than normal for this time of year)


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 Friday (Dec 26) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 10s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Headlands in the next 12 days are 3.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Dec 26) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Dec 24) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Fri 26th Dec)7ft (2.1m) 10s
Best Surf11PM (Fri 26th Dec)7ft (2.1m) 10s
Most Powerful 8AM (Fri 26th Dec)11ft (3.5m) 10s

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

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Warm (max 29°C on Wed afternoon, min 14°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Wed
24
Thursday
25
Friday
26
Saturday
27
Sunday
28
Monday
29
Tuesday
30
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
1
2
2
3
2
3
1
1
3
1
1
2
1
0
2
0
0
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.3
NE
1.6
SSE
2.2
S
2.5
S
3
S
3
S
2.3
S
2
S
1.8
S
1.8
S
1.8
S
1.9
S
1.8
S
1.6
SSE
1
SE
1.3
SSE
1.3
SSE
1.5
SE
1.5
SE
1.4
SE
1.1
SE
Period(s) (?)56101011111110101010101099999998
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)771829761212226022581174776593605630668605400159233258365351268153
Wind
(km/h)
15
ENE
15
SSE
20
SSE
20
SSE
15
SSE
25
S
20
SSE
10
SSW
10
ESE
20
SSE
10
S
20
SSE
20
SSE
10
SSW
15
SSE
15
ESE
5
WNW
15
NE
20
NE
15
N
15
N
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
oncrosscrosscrosscrosscross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross-
on
crosscross-
off
crosscrosscross-
off
crosscross-
on
glasscross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross
High Tide
/ height (m)
12:34AM
1.05
12:15PM
1.43
1:23AM
1.09
1:01PM
1.36
2:15AM
1.15
1:54PM
1.27
3:11AM
1.23
2:58PM
1.18
4:08AM
1.33
4:10PM
1.11
5:04AM
1.44
5:25PM
1.07
6:00AM
1.55
Low Tide
/ height (m)
6:27PM
0.17
5:54AM
0.47
7:07PM
0.18
6:49AM
0.50
7:49PM
0.19
7:54AM
0.52
8:35PM
0.20
9:08AM
0.50
9:26PM
0.23
10:26AM
0.44
10:20PM
0.25
11:40AM
0.33
11:17PM
0.27
12:46PM
0.21
Wed
24
Thursday
25
Friday
26
Saturday
27
Sunday
28
Monday
29
Tuesday
30
Sunrise--5:41--5:41--5:43--5:43--5:43--5:45--5:46
Sunset8:07--8:08--8:08--8:08--8:09--8:09--8:09--
clear
part cloud
light rain
cloud
light rain
cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
Rain (mm)
--1-1----------------
Temp. °C292018181715181618191819191820201721222028
Feels °C (?)27181714139131315161515151518171619181827
  • 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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