
Surf Forecasts:
Little Austi and Main Beach surf forecast from 16 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 19 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 11s period, ENE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 11s period, ENE swell with 823 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 11s period with ENE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Little Austi and Main Beach this week:
The surf forecast for Little Austi and Main Beach over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 11s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Little Austi and Main Beach in the next 16 days are 1.9m 11s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.2m 8s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 16) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Little Austi and Main Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ll be straight with you – this outlook’s a bit of a slow burn. The first few days are a write-off, but there’s a real gem hiding in the middle of the week if you’re patient. We’ve got a 16-day window, and the first recommendation doesn’t kick in until Saturday, July 19. That’s a solid gap of dead flat or messy conditions before anything worth paddling out for.
The real standout is Little Austi and Main Beach on Sunday morning, July 20. That’s the pick of the bunch. The swell’s coming from the ENE at about 5 ft, with a solid 10-second period. That’s a proper groundswell – it’ll have some punch and shape, but at a beach and reef setup like this, the longer period might make it break a bit straight in sections. The combined wave energy is sitting at 513 (moderate), so there’s enough grunt to get you into something fun. But the real beauty is the wind: light offshore from the NW at about 6 mph, with the forecast calling for clean conditions. That’s going to be a ripper session. Water temp’s around 64°, which is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
The Sunday before that, Saturday, July 19 morning, is also a cracker. Swell from the ENE at about 6 ft, 11-second period, and the combined energy jumps to 730 (strong stuff). The wind is glassy – just 3 mph from the south – so it’ll be clean as a whistle. That’s the kind of morning you wake up early for. The swell’s pushing past 5 ft, so it’s a bit much for beginners, but intermediates will have a blast. The ENE direction is right on the money for this spot’s optimum.
Monday, July 21 morning is still good, with about 4 ft ENE swell, 10-second period, and glassy conditions again. The energy’s dropped to 325, but it’s still fun. By the afternoon, the wind swings cross-shore and it gets a bit bumpy.
Tuesday, July 22 morning is another glassy one, but the swell fades to about 4 ft. Still worth a paddle if you’re keen.
After that, it’s a slow decline. Wednesday, July 23 through to the end of the month is mostly small and weak, with the odd clean morning but nothing with any real size. By July 31, you’re looking at 0.3 ft and 1 ft – not worth getting wet for.
One thing to note – Little Austi and Main Beach can get crowded sometimes, so for that Sunday morning standout, expect a few others to have the same idea. But with those conditions, it’s worth sharing the lineup.
So, the call: Sunday morning, July 20 is your best bet. The Saturday before is also a standout, but if you can only pick one, go for the offshore wind on Sunday. The rest of the window is a slow fade into flatness.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu morning, min 11°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon morning, min 10°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 8 | S 8 | E 8 | S 6 | S 6 | E 7 | E 7 | E 8 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
0 | 0 | 4 | 99 | 61 | 85 | 83 | 111 | 611 | 730 | 562 | 562 | 490 | 442 | 394 | 318 | 258 | 281 | 240 | 186 | 151 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | glassy | on | off | off | cross-off | off | glassy | cross | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:44PM1.74m | 10:35AM1.20m | 10:31PM1.62m | 11:23AM1.22m | 11:18PM1.47m | 12:12PM1.24m | 00:06AM1.30m | 1:01PM1.26m | 00:57AM1.14m | 1:53PM1.27m | 1:54AM1.01m | 2:46PM1.28m | 3:00AM0.92m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:17PM0.24m | 4:30AM-0.03m | 4:10PM0.28m | 5:13AM0.04m | 5:05PM0.33m | 5:54AM0.13m | 6:03PM0.40m | 6:34AM0.22m | 7:05PM0.46m | 7:14AM0.31m | 8:15PM0.49m | 7:57AM0.39m | 9:28PM0.50m | ||||||||
7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | |
— | 5:04 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | |
mm | — | — | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 17 | 16 | 11 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 17 | 15 | 11 |
Feels °C | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 9 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 18 | S 18 | S 19 | E 5 | E 8 | E 7 | E 7 | E 8 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 |
6 | 26 | 27 | 20 | 54 | 85 | 83 | 111 | 611 | 730 | 562 | 562 | 490 | 442 | 394 | 318 | 258 | 281 | 240 | 186 | 151 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | — | E 8 | E 8 | S 8 | S 10 | S 21 | S 10 | S 8 | S 17 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 9 |
4 | — | 4 | 10 | 21 | 52 | 34 | 44 | 22 | 92 | 53 | 148 | 138 | 129 | 84 | 51 | 31 | 48 | 30 | 28 | 27 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SSW 12 | S 15 | S 11 | S 21 | S 18 | S 20 | S 18 | SSW 8 | S 16 | SE 16 | SSE 15 | SSE 15 | SE 14 | SE 14 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 13 | — | S 12 |
— | — | 27 | 18 | 21 | 9 | 6 | 30 | 57 | 20 | 43 | 10 | 23 | 21 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | — | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | S 8 | S 7 | S 6 | S 6 | S 5 | S 10 | S 4 | — | — | — | — | — | NE 3 | N 4 | N 4 | — | — | — | — | W 3 |
478 | 544 | 206 | 99 | 61 | 11 | 153 | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 13 | 9 | — | — | — | — | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 41 | 164 | 41 | 65 | 34 | 1 | 13 | 41 | 1 | 0 | 34 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Illawarra | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Little Austi and Main Beach Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Little Austi and Main Beach provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Little Austi and Main Beach can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Little Austi and Main Beach 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 (Little Austi and Main Beach) 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 Little Austi and Main Beach 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.
Are you planning a holiday in Illawarra? If you are looking for accommodation near Little Austi and Main Beach, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Illawarra, consider staying in Wollongong which is 15 km (9 miles) away. Other places in and around Illawarra where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Port Kembla which is 22 km (14 miles) away, Engadine, Caringbah and Cronulla.










