
Surf Forecasts:
Little Austi and Main Beach surf forecast from 18 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) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 12s period, ENE swell with 1,066 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 2.0m 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 2.0m 9s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 7PM.
| 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) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Little Austi and Main Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk Little Austi and Main Beach. This is a beach-and-reef break that’s fairly consistent, and it really lights up on an ENE swell. We’ve got some of that coming, but the real action is in the first couple days.
Sunday the 19th is a bit of a warm-up. You’ll see 7ft ENE swell with 11-second period, combined energy 991. But the wind is cross-on from the south at 6 mph, so it’s not clean. The afternoon is still onshore. Not your best bet.
Monday the 20th is the one. Morning: clear skies, light offshore wind from the northwest at 3 mph, and 6ft of ENE groundswell at 11 seconds (energy 754). The wind is glassy, the waves are lined up, and the direction is perfect. That’s a session you don’t want to miss. The afternoon stays clean with a cross-off breeze, but the morning is the gold. Crowds are possible, so be there early.
Tuesday the 21st still has some juice – 5ft ENE at 10 seconds, offshore wind from the NNW at 6 mph in the morning. Energy drops to 402, but the quality is still very good. Afternoon gets cross-off and smaller. Worth a paddle if you can’t make Monday.
Wednesday the 22nd is smaller – 4ft, 9 seconds, cross-off wind. Still rideable but fading. After that, things go flat. From Thursday the 23rd through Saturday the 1st of August, the swell drops to under 2ft, winds get messy, and the scores are zero. That’s a stretch of 10 days with nothing worth talking about.
Then on Sunday the 2nd of August, a new swell arrives – 7ft SSE at 11 seconds, combined energy 1107. But the wind is howling cross-on from the south at 18 mph, so it’s a lumpy, choppy mess. That’s a kite-surfing day, not a surfing day. Monday the 3rd still has some size but same onshore wind, poor quality.
So here’s the takeaway: hit Monday morning the 20th. That’s your best swell, best wind, best conditions. The rest of the window is mostly flat or blown out. But this spot is fairly consistent, so don’t write it off – forecasts can change.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon morning, min 9°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Wed morning, min 6°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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 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 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
187 | 973 | 793 | 823 | 730 | 656 | 554 | 402 | 325 | 356 | 248 | 207 | 130 | 106 | 101 | 70 | 48 | 35 | 28 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 4:12AM0.87m | 4:35PM1.33m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 9:39AM0.49m | 11:37PM0.42m | |||||||
— | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:08 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 17 | 16 | 11 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 21 | 20 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 11 | 15 | 17 | 9 |
Feels °C | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 13 | 9 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 18 | 18 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 6 | 11 | 13 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | 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 | S 9 | S 8 | S 9 | S 10 | S 9 |
187 | 973 | 793 | 823 | 730 | 656 | 554 | 402 | 325 | 356 | 248 | 207 | 130 | 106 | 349 | 256 | 328 | 260 | 133 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | 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 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 8 |
48 | 145 | 86 | 153 | 178 | 127 | 82 | 55 | 31 | 17 | 17 | 21 | 8 | 8 | 101 | 70 | 48 | 35 | 28 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | SE 17 | S 16 | SE 16 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | SE 14 | S 15 | S 15 | S 14 | SE 13 | S 12 | — | — | E 9 | E 8 | E 7 | NW 3 | S 21 |
23 | 12 | 43 | 10 | 24 | 21 | 8 | 19 | 17 | 4 | 7 | 3 | — | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 34 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 4 | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | N 3 | NE 4 | NNE 5 | — | WSW 3 | WSW 4 | SW 5 | S 9 | S 8 | WNW 2 | — | WSW 3 |
— | 6 | — | — | — | — | 6 | 5 | 13 | 50 | — | 1 | 17 | 25 | 505 | 387 | 1 | — | 3 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 5 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 126 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 41 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 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.










