
Surf Forecasts:
Little Austi and Main Beach surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 19 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 10s period, ENE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 12s period, ENE swell with 1,280 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 10s 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 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 10s 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 2.2m 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.3m 8s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Sun 19th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Sun 19th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 12s |
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 – for the next few days, it’s a bit of a slow grind. We’ve got a window of decent, clean surf coming, but for the rest of the 16-day run, it’s mostly flat or poor. The real standout is Monday 20th July, so pencil that in.
We’re looking at Little Austi and Main Beach (beach and reef). The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing wild.
The first few days are a write-off. Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th July are a mess – cross-onshore winds messing up small, weak swell. The wave energy is weak (63 to 78) on Saturday, then jumps up to moderate on Sunday (1083 and 875), but the wind is still cross-on, so it’s choppy and messy. Not worth paddling out.
Then Monday 20th July is the day. The wind swings offshore from the NW in the morning, going clean. The swell is a solid 6 ft from the ENE with a nice long period of 11 seconds, giving it some proper groundswell punch and shape. The energy is strong (666). It’s a bit too big for beginners, but for intermediates, that’s prime. The long period will make the waves a bit more powerful and the sets will have longer gaps, making it easier to get out the back. The offshore wind is a major positive – it’ll be glassy, clean, and the best we’ve got. Crowds are possible, so get in early.
Tuesday 21st July morning is still looking good. The swell drops to 5 ft from the ENE, still with a 10-second period, and the wind is offshore from the NNW. The energy is moderate (380). It’s clean, fun, and a bit more manageable if Monday felt a touch big. The crowd situation still applies.
After Tuesday, it all fades fast. Wednesday 22nd to Friday 31st July is a gap of poor to flat conditions. The swell drops under 3 ft, the period shortens, and the wind is mostly cross or onshore. The energy is weak (under 200). Not worth the effort.
There’s a tiny flicker of something on Saturday 1st August afternoon, with a 5 ft SSE swell and a 12-second period, but the cross-onshore wind will chop it up. The energy is moderate (684), but the conditions are marginal. Too uncertain to get excited about. Sunday 2nd August is glassy but flat (0.7 ft).
So, your best bet is Monday 20th July at Little Austi and Main Beach. It’s the only true standout. Get it while it’s clean.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon morning, min 10°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Wed morning, min 9°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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) | E 7 | E 6 | E 7 | E 8 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
51 | 54 | 74 | 224 | 1065 | 875 | 793 | 643 | 575 | 532 | 380 | 325 | 269 | 180 | 133 | 92 | 68 | 67 | 42 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross |
High Tide | 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 | 3:41PM1.30m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 8:45AM0.45m | 10:38PM0.47m | |||||||
— | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:08 | — | |
mm | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 21 | 19 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 11 |
Feels °C | 14 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 17 | 16 | 9 | 14 | 13 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 7 | E 6 | E 7 | E 8 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 |
51 | 54 | 74 | 224 | 1065 | 875 | 793 | 643 | 575 | 532 | 380 | 325 | 269 | 180 | 133 | 92 | 68 | 67 | 42 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | ENE 11 | S 17 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 | S 10 | — | S 16 | — |
100 | 46 | 44 | 47 | 209 | 86 | 153 | 178 | 127 | 82 | 55 | 48 | 31 | 30 | 20 | 18 | — | 5 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 21 | S 21 | S 20 | S 8 | SE 17 | S 16 | SE 16 | SSE 15 | SSE 15 | SE 14 | S 15 | S 15 | S 14 | SE 13 | SSW 5 | — | — | — | — |
9 | 34 | 31 | 23 | 12 | 43 | 10 | 23 | 21 | 8 | 19 | 17 | 4 | 7 | 2 | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 4 | S 4 | — | S 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 3 | NW 2 | WSW 3 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | S 5 | S 8 | S 8 |
— | 9 | 4 | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 51 | 682 | 430 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 34 | 1 |
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.










