Surf Forecasts:
Kirra surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 8s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 11s period, SE swell with 568 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 8s period with SE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Kirra this week:
The surf forecast for Kirra over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 9s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Kirra in the next 16 days are 1.6m 11s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 20) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kirra over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, it’s Rusty here, and I gotta be straight with you – this is one of those outlooks where I wish I had better news. We’ve got a solid 16-day window ahead, but for the first week and a half, it’s looking like a whole lot of nothing special for us.
Overall Pattern & The Wait
The pattern starts with a bit of a dud. We’ve got some swell on the menu, but the conditions are just off. The first real chance of anything ridable doesn’t pop up until Wednesday, August 19th, and even then, it’s pretty ordinary. There’s a long gap of poor surf from the 17th right through until the 19th morning. After that, we see a few glimmers but nothing that screams “drop everything and go.” The second week, from the 25th onward, things get really weak, with tiny waves and onshore muck. It’s a tough run.
The Only Real Standout
Honestly, if I had to pick one moment that’s the best on offer, it’s the Wednesday morning of August 19th at Kirra. The swell is a modest 5 ft coming from the SE, and the period stretches to 11 seconds, which is a nice bit of groundswell energy – you can feel that push. The combined energy registers at 707 (moderate wave energy), which is the highest we’ll see for a while. The wind is a light SSE at 9 mph, which is a cross-offshore flow, keeping the surface clean. It’s a point break, so that longer period will wrap in nicely, and it’s set up for some proper lines. The water temp is sitting at 68°F, which is about 1°F cooler than average for this time of year – so, a touch nippy but nothing crazy. This is the day to target if you’re keen for a surf. The break is fairly consistent, so you won’t be sitting there waiting forever, but do keep in mind that crowds are often a thing here.
The Rest of the Run
The rest of the first week is a bit of a wash. Thursday the 20th has a 6 ft ESE swell with a light S offshore wind in the morning, but the energy is lower (386) and the period is short (8 seconds), so it’s just messy. After that, from the 21st through the 24th, it’s all onshore wind and tiny, weak waves – the energy drops into the 100s. Not worth a paddle.
The Second Week (Late August)
From the 25th onward, we’re looking at very small surf. The 25th Tuesday morning has glassy conditions with zero wind and a 2 ft E swell, but the energy is a measly 65. That’s what we call a lake. The wind goes offshore a few times later in the week (26th, 27th, 28th), but the swell is just too small – 3 ft to 3 ft – to get excited about. The energy stays in the 100-200 range. It’s clean, but you’ll be on a longboard or a foamie, counting the ripples.
Final Word
For a place like Kirra, this is a pretty lean period. The best bet is that Wednesday morning on the 19th, but even that is just “surfable” rather than epic. If you’re desperate, you’ll get a few turns, but I wouldn’t be holding my breath for the rest of the fortnight. The forecasts can change, so keep an eye on it, but right now, it’s a waiting game.
Stay wet,
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Tue morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon morning, min 15°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Warm (max 21°C on Sat morning, min 16°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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) | ESE 7 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | ESE 8 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
352 | 416 | 427 | 502 | 497 | 512 | 568 | 478 | 296 | 221 | 327 | 103 | 124 | 97 | 97 | 86 | 133 | 168 | 135 | 120 | 113 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 11:04AM1.42m | 11:04PM1.41m | 11:47AM1.40m | 11:37PM1.27m | 12:37PM1.37m | 00:13AM1.15m | 1:39PM1.36m | 1:05AM1.04m | 2:53PM1.38m | 2:27AM0.98m | 4:06PM1.44m | 4:06AM0.98m | 5:05PM1.53m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:01PM0.50m | 5:22AM0.40m | 5:48PM0.62m | 5:55AM0.45m | 6:48PM0.73m | 6:34AM0.50m | 8:12PM0.80m | 7:27AM0.55m | 9:52PM0.79m | 8:38AM0.57m | 11:07PM0.72m | 9:53AM0.56m | 11:58PM0.62m | ||||||||
6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | |
— | 5:23 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | |
mm | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 18 |
Feels °C | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | E 10 | ENE 9 | E 9 | SE 15 | ESE 12 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | SE 10 | SE 9 | ESE 8 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 8 |
55 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 8 | 131 | 99 | 68 | 296 | 221 | 327 | 103 | 124 | 97 | 97 | 86 | 133 | 168 | 135 | 120 | 113 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | SE 17 | ENE 9 | E 9 | SE 14 | S 12 | S 11 | S 9 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | — | SE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 7 | ENE 9 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 |
23 | 11 | 17 | 15 | 32 | 11 | 35 | 6 | 56 | 29 | — | 90 | 22 | 23 | 14 | 28 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 18 | E 10 | E 13 | S 13 | — | — | S 16 | S 10 | S 9 | NE 9 | — | — | S 13 | S 12 | E 13 | SE 7 | E 10 | S 9 | SE 7 | S 19 | SE 16 |
12 | 17 | 3 | 13 | — | — | 5 | 33 | 6 | 3 | — | — | 4 | 3 | 3 | 14 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 9 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 7 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 11 | SE 10 | — | S 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 4 |
352 | 416 | 427 | 502 | 497 | 512 | 568 | 478 | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 18 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 176 | 2 | 20 | 176 | 2 | 2 | 203 | 2 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gold Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Kirra Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Kirra provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Kirra can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Kirra 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 (Kirra) 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 Kirra 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.
Kirra is 5 km (3 miles) from Banora Point. If you plan a holiday in Gold Coast, look for hotels and other accommodation in Banora Point. Banora Point has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











