Surf Forecasts:
Little Austi and Main Beach surf forecast from 27 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 11s period, SSE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 11s period, SSE swell with 800 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 9s 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 Thursday (Aug 27) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 9s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Little Austi and Main Beach in the next 16 days are 1.8m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 9s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 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've gotta be straight with you – the next 16 days are a bit of a write-off for Little Austi and Main Beach. We've got a massive gap with no real surf to get excited about, so don't be in a rush to wax your board.
Let's start with the only window that shows any pulse. Friday morning, 28 August, brings a bit of a bump, with a 5ft swell from the SSE and a moderate 600 (moderate wave energy). It's a cross-shore, light breeze, so it's not a total washout, but the comment says it's marginal. That afternoon, the wind swings onshore and picks up to 12 mph, so it's game over for the day.
Then we get a little glimmer on Saturday morning, 29 August. The swell drops to 4ft from the SSE, but look at that wind – glassy, dead calm with a slight air. That's a major positive. The combined energy is 290 (moderate), and the forecast says "expect good surf conditions." If you're keen, that's your best bet in the whole outlook. The swell period is 10 seconds, so it's a decent groundswell, but at a beach and reef setup, it'll be a bit straighter. Still, clean 4ft waves with no wind? That's a session worth chasing. The water temp is 64°, which is about average for this time of year.
After that, it's a slow bleed. Sunday morning, 30 August, has a glassy 2ft, but it's "very ordinary." From Monday, 31 August, right through to Friday, 11 September, it's a long stretch of tiny, poor surf, mostly under 2ft, with the odd offshore breeze but nothing to get you out of bed. The swell energy drops to single or low double digits (weak). There's a brief spike on Friday afternoon, 11 September, with a 3ft, 14-second long-period groundswell from the SSE, and 325 (moderate energy), but the wind is cross-shore and the surf is still rated as poor. That long period will be tricky on a beach break anyway.
So, the honest truth: Saturday morning, 29 August, is the standout. It's the only clean, glassy window with a bit of size. The rest of the 16 days is a flat spell. For a spot that's fairly consistent, it's a quiet run, but forecasts can change. For now, I'd be looking at kite surfing if the wind picks up, because the paddle surfing is slim pickings.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri morning, min 10°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Tue morning, min 11°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NE 8 | ENE 8 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
64 | 41 | 265 | 561 | 425 | 255 | 256 | 203 | 128 | 96 | 26 | 18 | 17 | 73 | 15 | 39 | 38 | 34 | 33 | 33 | 33 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross | on | cross-off | on | cross-on | off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 7:41PM1.53m | 8:16AM1.21m | 8:16PM1.53m | 8:51AM1.27m | 8:52PM1.50m | 9:26AM1.33m | 9:30PM1.43m | 10:03AM1.38m | 10:11PM1.34m | 10:43AM1.41m | 10:56PM1.23m | 11:28AM1.41m | 11:50PM1.11m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:19PM0.32m | 2:15AM0.13m | 1:59PM0.28m | 2:45AM0.11m | 2:40PM0.25m | 3:16AM0.11m | 3:22PM0.25m | 3:48AM0.13m | 4:08PM0.25m | 4:22AM0.18m | 4:58PM0.28m | 5:01AM0.25m | 5:55PM0.31m | ||||||||
6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | |
— | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 12 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 18 | 16 | 13 | 20 | 18 | 14 | 25 | 25 | 17 | 27 | 27 | 19 |
Feels °C | 14 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 20 | 21 | 14 | 22 | 24 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 8 | S 9 | S 8 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 10 | S 9 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 11 | NE 5 | NNE 5 |
64 | 328 | 196 | 561 | 425 | 255 | 229 | 163 | 150 | 157 | 220 | 288 | 148 | 168 | 134 | 214 | 189 | 102 | 79 | 18 | 10 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | ENE 8 | SSE 12 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SSE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 10 | ENE 9 | S 16 | S 16 | S 16 | S 15 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | NE 6 | ENE 10 | S 11 | ENE 10 |
17 | 41 | 265 | 39 | 26 | 25 | 256 | 203 | 128 | 96 | 26 | 84 | 190 | 183 | 72 | 39 | 38 | 26 | 33 | 55 | 33 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 14 | ENE 9 | S 13 | S 13 | S 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 16 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | — | ENE 9 | NE 13 | NE 12 | ENE 10 | N 12 | ENE 10 | S 10 |
— | 36 | 52 | 55 | 30 | 34 | 30 | 30 | 32 | 30 | 21 | 18 | 17 | — | 15 | 6 | 6 | 34 | 3 | 33 | 31 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 9 | NE 4 | NNE 4 | NE 4 | NNW 3 | NNE 6 | WNW 3 | NW 3 |
676 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 73 | 7 | 5 | 34 | 4 | 34 | 1 | 3 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 5 | 76 | 0 | 1 | 50 | 0 | 1 | 92 | 0 | 0 | 76 | 1 | 1 | 53 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 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.











