Surf Forecasts:
Southport Main Beach surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 18 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 9s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, SSE swell with 1,736 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 18 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 9s period with SSE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Southport Main Beach this week:
The surf forecast for Southport Main Beach over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 18) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 12s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Southport Main Beach in the next 16 days are 3.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) 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 0.8m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Southport Main Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Righto, let’s have a look at Southport Main Beach over the next couple of weeks. To be honest, it’s a bit of a grim stretch for most of it. The first week and a bit is looking pretty ordinary – nothing worth getting excited about, just messy, onshore slop and tiny waves. We’re looking at a whole run from Wednesday through to Sunday afternoon with next to nothing, just dribbles and poor conditions. Then Monday and Tuesday the swell tries to pick up a touch, but it’s still got that cross-shore chop in it, and the energy’s all over the place. The wave period is short, so it’s not going to have any power behind it.
There is a glimmer, though. On Tuesday the 29th of September, the wind drops right out to glassy in the afternoon. That’s when the swell bumps up to around 5ft, with the period sitting at 9 seconds. The energy jumps right up – we’re talking 461 in the combined energy reading, which is solid, moderate. The direction’s from the east, which is a bit more favourable for this spot. That Tuesday afternoon is genuinely your best chance of a decent surf. It’s not huge, but with that glassy surface, it’ll be clean and a whole lot more enjoyable than anything else on offer.
Before that, on Monday the 28th, there’s some size – up to 7ft in the afternoon – but the moderate cross-shore breeze chops it up. Still, there will be some waves out there, just not great ones. After that, Wednesday the 30th and Thursday the 1st of October, it drops back down and gets messy again with those onshore winds and small, short-period swell. So, don't hold your breath for much else.
For a beginner, that 5ft Tuesday will be okay-ish, but anything over 5ft is pushing it. The bigger days on the 28th at 7ft, you’d need to know what you’re doing. Southport Main Beach is exposed, so it cops everything. Crowds are sometimes a pain anyway, so with any decent conditions, expect a few more people around.
So, in a nutshell: the first week is a write-off. Keep your board in the car for that Tuesday afternoon – that’s the standout. After that, it goes quiet again, so make the most of it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed morning, min 12°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSE on Wed afternoon, light winds from the NNE by Fri afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sat morning, min 14°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | ||||||||||||||
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 6 | SSE 6 | SE 8 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SSE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SE 8 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 18 | NNE 4 | NNE 4 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 37 | 85 | 388 | 850 | 369 | 465 | 830 | 145 | 135 | 72 | 76 | 54 | 24 | 16 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 10 | 8 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 10:50PM1.09m | 11:34AM1.31m | 11:26PM0.97m | 12:22PM1.26m | 00:11AM0.86m | 1:19PM1.21m | 1:14AM0.78m | 2:28PM1.20m | 2:47AM0.75m | 3:40PM1.23m | 4:28AM0.80m | 4:39PM1.28m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:54AM0.25m | 5:57PM0.48m | 5:30AM0.32m | 7:03PM0.55m | 6:13AM0.39m | 8:30PM0.57m | 7:11AM0.45m | 9:59PM0.53m | 8:26AM0.49m | 10:56PM0.45m | 9:42AM0.47m | 11:35PM0.37m | |||||||
 |  | |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:40 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 23 | 21 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 18 | 23 | 22 | 20 |
Feels °C | 16 | 13 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 6 | ENE 6 | E 13 | NE 13 | SE 10 | NE 13 | SE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SE 8 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | NE 4 | SE 7 | SE 11 | SE 11 |
| kJ | 37 | 20 | 4 | 7 | 369 | 7 | 303 | 145 | 135 | 72 | 76 | 54 | 24 | 16 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 5 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | E 14 | — | — | — | — | — | E 15 | E 14 | SE 18 | SE 17 | E 7 | NE 4 | NNE 4 | SE 10 | SE 7 | SE 18 | SE 16 | SE 7 |
| kJ | 4 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 4 | 13 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 12 | 10 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 15 | E 14 | — | — | — | — | — | E 12 | — | E 14 | E 8 | SE 16 | E 8 | SE 10 | E 8 | SE 11 | SE 10 | E 8 | E 8 |
| kJ | 4 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | 4 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 3 | SSE 6 | SE 8 | SE 10 | S 3 | SE 10 | SSE 9 | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | — | — | NNE 4 | — | N 4 | NNE 4 | NNE 4 |
| kJ | 1 | 85 | 388 | 850 | 3 | 465 | 830 | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | 7 | 8 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 62 | 180 | 1388 | 298 | 24 | 162 | 4 | 24 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 77 | 13 | 24 | 505 | 14 | 29 | 77 | 29 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gold Coast | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Southport Main Beach Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Southport 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 Southport Main Beach can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Southport 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 (Southport 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 Southport 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.
Southport Main Beach is 3 km (2 miles) from Surfers Paradise. If you plan a holiday in Gold Coast, look for hotels and other accommodation in Surfers Paradise. Surfers Paradise has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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