
Surf Forecasts:
Little Austi and Main Beach surf forecast from 25 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 1 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 9s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 2 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 12s period, SSE swell with 864 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 27 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s period with SSE 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 Monday (Jul 27) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 14s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 2s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Little Austi and Main Beach in the next 16 days are 1.7m 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 02) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 11s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 30) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Mon 27th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Sat 1st Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Little Austi and Main Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break this down.
Little Austi and Main Beach has been flat as a pancake for days, and the first week is basically a washout. From today, Sunday July 26th, right through to Saturday August 1st, there’s almost nothing worth paddling out for. Swell heights are mostly under 1 ft, often closer to 0.5 ft or less. Winds are often cross-shore or cross-onshore, and wave energy is weak – readings in the single digits (6, 2, 10) most days. A few mornings go glassy, but there’s zero power behind it.
Then Sunday August 2nd morning changes everything. That’s the real highlight. We’ve got a clean 6 ft SE groundswell with an 11-second period, energy hitting 860 – that’s a moderate, solid push. Wind is light from the NNW, cross-offshore, keeping the surface clean. The swell isn’t a perfect match for the optimum ENE direction, but for an exposed beach and reef set-up, it’ll still produce. With a longer period like that, the reef will hold the shape better than the beach. This is for the intermediate crew – over 5 ft means it’s too much for beginners. Crowds? Little Austi can pack out and this might draw a line.
That afternoon the wind swings NE at 12 mph, turning it cross-shore and lumpy. Energy jumps to 936, but quality goes out the window. Monday August 3rd morning offers a clean 5 ft SE swell with light NNW winds, but energy drops to 405. Decent, not amazing.
By Tuesday August 4th, it’s small again, and stays poor until the next real window on Sunday August 9th. That morning delivers glassy 4 ft SSE swell with a 10-second period and 314 energy. Dead calm, flat ocean – absolutely clean. It’s a nicer session for intermediates, not as powerful or big as the 2nd, but a good day to be out. The tide might play tricks though.
Other than those two mornings, the outlook is mostly small, windy, and not worth the effort. The first week you can leave the board in the car. The second week has just a couple of real shots at glory.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue morning, min 10°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri morning, min 7°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | SE 13 | NE 8 | SE 14 | SE 16 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 14 | NNE 4 | NE 6 | NE 7 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | E 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
7 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 6:11AM0.91m | 6:11PM1.42m | 6:56AM0.95m | 6:53PM1.48m | 7:36AM0.99m | 7:32PM1.52m | 8:13AM1.04m | 8:08PM1.55m | 8:49AM1.08m | 8:44PM1.56m | 9:25AM1.12m | 9:19PM1.53m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:25AM0.36m | 11:28AM0.47m | 1:07AM0.30m | 12:15PM0.43m | 1:45AM0.24m | 12:58PM0.40m | 2:20AM0.20m | 1:39PM0.36m | 2:54AM0.16m | 2:18PM0.34m | 3:26AM0.14m | 2:57PM0.34m | 3:57AM0.13m | ||||||
— | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 19 | 19 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 14 | 14 | 9 | 15 | 15 | 12 |
Feels °C | 8 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 9 | 5 | 9 | 9 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | NNE 4 | NE 6 | NE 7 | S 10 | NE 6 | S 10 | S 10 | — | E 8 |
713 | 813 | 461 | 288 | 154 | 140 | 78 | 39 | 24 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 876 | 2 | 1425 | 1146 | — | 1 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | S 10 | SE 14 | SE 16 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 14 | NNW 3 | — | E 13 | ENE 6 | — | — | — | — | E 12 |
7 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 33 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 1 | — | 3 | 4 | — | — | — | — | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | — | — | SE 13 | NE 8 | NE 7 | NE 8 | NE 4 | SE 15 | SE 6 | S 17 | S 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
7 | — | — | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 4 | WNW 2 | NNE 4 | WNW 3 | W 3 | SW 5 | S 8 | S 10 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 49 | 443 | 1303 | 1670 | 1752 | 1522 | 874 | 710 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 1 | 92 | 1 | 1 | 100 | 1 | 5 | 68 | 210 | 336 | 453 | 1 | 2 | 41 | 2 | 41 | 89 | 7 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Illawarra | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.










