Surf Forecasts:
Southport Main Beach surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 14 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 8s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 8s period, ESE swell with 753 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 9s period with E 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 Thursday (Aug 13) at 1AM. 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 Southport Main Beach in the next 16 days are 2.4m 8s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 3s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 15) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Fri 14th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Southport Main Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s talk about Southport Main Beach in feet and miles per hour.
Water’s sitting at about 69°F, right on the average for this time of year. Nothing weird there. But the surf? Man, it’s a slog for a good stretch.
First wave worth mentioning is Wednesday the 12th of August – a tiny 2ft easterly swell, 9-second period, glassy. Swell energy is weak at 66. Surfable, but barely. Then from Thursday the 13th through Thursday the 20th, it’s a mess. Small, chopped-up, onshore winds blowing 12-22 mph from the SSE and SE. When the swell bumps up to 5ft to 7ft from the 17th to the 19th (moderate to strong energy, 299-968), it’s all cross-on with rain. That’s kite-surf territory, not a paddle session.
Friday the 21st morning is still only marginal – 5ft east swell, 9-second period, light cross-on. Energy moderate at 349. Not clean.
Now, the standouts. Saturday the 22nd of August – morning looks proper. Wind goes light from the NNW, cross-offshore, with a clean 5ft east swell, 10-second period, energy at 363. That’s a groundswell with clean sideshore wind. Southport Main Beach could have some nice little peelers. Crowds are possible, so get out early.
Sunday the 23rd of August – both morning and afternoon are clean. Offshore wind from the WSW at 12-15 mph, swell running 3ft to 4ft from the east, 9-second period, energy moderate at 205. Clean, offshore, fun size. That’s your best bet.
Monday the 24th morning is glassy again but the swell drops to 3ft with weak energy (155). After that, from Tuesday the 25th onward, the swell disappears and the wind gets messy. Last week is a no-go.
Best calls: Saturday 22nd morning and Sunday 23rd – clean, waist-to-chest high east swell with offshore flow. That’s your window.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 21°C on Wed afternoon, min 13°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed afternoon, fresh winds from the SE by Fri afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Sun night. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun morning, min 14°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | ||||||||||||||
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) | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SSE 8 | ENE 9 | SE 6 | SSE 8 | ENE 9 | SE 5 | SE 6 | SSE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 61 | 61 | 42 | 42 | 264 | 28 | 43 | 237 | 28 | 49 | 49 | 47 | 73 | 184 | 264 | 515 | 497 | 627 | 324 | 589 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 8:15PM1.78m | 8:37AM1.24m | 8:57PM1.74m | 9:20AM1.28m | 9:37PM1.65m | 10:01AM1.30m | 10:15PM1.52m | 10:43AM1.29m | 10:51PM1.38m | 11:26AM1.27m | 11:27PM1.22m | 12:12PM1.23m | 00:04AM1.08m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:47AM0.14m | 2:23PM0.12m | 3:25AM0.12m | 3:09PM0.14m | 4:01AM0.14m | 3:54PM0.20m | 4:37AM0.17m | 4:40PM0.29m | 5:11AM0.21m | 5:28PM0.39m | 5:47AM0.27m | 6:21PM0.49m | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — |
 | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — |
mm | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 8 |
Temp °C | 21 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 16 |
Feels °C | 20 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | SE 5 | SE 7 | ENE 9 | SE 6 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SE 6 | E 6 | E 10 | ESE 6 | E 8 | E 13 | E 13 | ESE 8 | SE 14 | E 8 |
| kJ | 61 | 61 | 42 | 42 | 11 | 25 | 28 | 24 | 28 | 28 | 49 | 22 | 17 | 66 | 35 | 4 | 4 | 341 | 8 | 316 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NE 6 | SSE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | N 7 | ENE 9 | SE 10 | N 8 | ENE 9 | E 10 | E 8 | E 10 | — | S 16 | — | — | — | ESE 12 |
| kJ | 3 | 4 | 2 | 11 | 28 | 28 | 1 | 28 | 4 | 1 | 29 | 30 | 10 | 17 | — | 5 | — | — | — | 14 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 11 | SE 11 | S 6 | NE 7 | SE 9 | SSE 9 | — | S 19 | S 16 | E 16 | — | E 15 | SE 10 | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | SE 12 |
| kJ | 5 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 20 | 8 | — | 7 | 5 | 5 | — | 5 | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 36 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WNW 2 | WNW 3 | E 2 | SSE 8 | — | SE 6 | SSE 8 | SE 5 | SE 5 | S 3 | SSE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 |
| kJ | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 264 | — | 43 | 237 | 20 | 49 | 3 | 47 | 73 | 184 | 264 | 515 | 497 | 627 | 324 | 589 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 24 | 0 | 24 | 24 | 0 | 24 | 616 | 18 | 24 | 24 | 18 | 344 | 76 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 13 |
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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