
Surf Forecasts:
Mooloolaba surf forecast from 14 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 18 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 8s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, SE swell with 908 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 15 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 6s period with E swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Mooloolaba this week:
The surf forecast for Mooloolaba over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Mooloolaba in the next 16 days are 3.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Tue 15th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Mooloolaba over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – this stretch ahead for Mooloolaba is a tough one. We’ve got a long, lean run of so-so conditions and only a couple of fleeting windows where you might actually want to paddle out. The whole 16-day outlook is mostly onshore, choppy or just too small to get excited about. The first real surf doesn’t show until Friday the 18th, and even then, it’s not a full day of glory.
We start with nothing much worth chasing. Tuesday the 15th has a tiny 3 ft easterly swell with a short 6-second period and combined energy sitting at just 55 – weak and flat. The wind is glassy in the morning, but the wave size is barely a ripple. Wednesday and Thursday the 16th and 17th see some size bump up – 8 ft on Wednesday arvo with 533 combined energy, and 7 ft Thursday – but every session is marred by strong cross-offshore winds from the SSE at 16 to 22 mph, making for clean faces but messy, blown-out lines. That’s more of a kite session than a paddle.
Then Friday the 18th morning is your standout. Swell holds at 5 ft from the southeast, 8-second period, with combined energy at 445 (moderate wave energy). The wind is a gentle cross-offshore from the SSE at 9 mph, keeping the face clean. The surf report calls it “good surf conditions” and that’s the one time I’d point you to Mooloolaba – a beach-and-reef setup that can handle a bit of energy. Just know the crowds here can be a problem; it’s often busy, so get in early. After lunch, the wind swings east and goes cross-shore, dropping the quality fast.
From Saturday the 19th right through to the end of the period, it’s a sad story. Swell drops to under 2 ft for days, with onshore winds and combined energy barely cracking 60. We get a small bump around Tuesday the 22nd afternoon with 6 ft from the SE and 297 combined energy, but the wind is cross-off and the conditions are called “marginal.” Wednesday the 23rd holds similar – 6 ft, clean but marginal. Then from the 24th onward, it’s all cross or onshore winds, with swell sitting around 5-6 ft but chopped up by easterly breezes. The only flicker of interest is Tuesday the 29th morning when the wind goes light cross from the WNW, but the swell is only 5 ft and the energy is moderate. Not worth planning a trip around.
Bottom line: Friday morning the 18th is your best bet, with clean 5 ft surf from the southeast and a gentle cross-offshore breeze. Everything else is either too small, too windy, or too messy. Keep an eye on the charts – it tends not to stay this poor forever.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Tue morning, min 13°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon night, fresh winds from the SE by Wed afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sat morning, min 15°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | ||||||||||||||
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 6 | E 6 | E 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | SE 7 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 6 | SE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | NE 4 | NNE 4 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
48 | 48 | 38 | 55 | 41 | 526 | 908 | 414 | 345 | 216 | 319 | 121 | 83 | 45 | 27 | 21 | 20 | 10 | 21 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | glassy | on | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross |
High Tide | 10:36AM1.58m | 10:26PM1.30m | 11:21AM1.50m | 10:57PM1.15m | 12:16PM1.42m | 11:35PM1.02m | 1:28PM1.37m | 00:41AM0.91m | 2:50PM1.37m | 2:53AM0.88m | 3:55PM1.42m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:07AM0.25m | 4:46PM0.52m | 4:39AM0.31m | 5:37PM0.65m | 5:13AM0.38m | 6:47PM0.74m | 5:55AM0.46m | 8:33PM0.76m | 6:57AM0.54m | 10:01PM0.70m | 8:28AM0.57m | 10:55PM0.61m | |||||||
— | 5:46 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 21 | 20 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 17 |
Feels °C | 17 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | E 13 | E 11 | — | E 16 | E 12 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 |
48 | 48 | 38 | 55 | 41 | 3 | 3 | — | 5 | 3 | 120 | 121 | 83 | 45 | 27 | 21 | 20 | 7 | 7 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 8 | E 12 | E 12 | E 11 | E 11 | E 13 | — | NE 11 | NE 11 | E 16 | E 14 | E 12 | — | ENE 6 | E 12 | SE 7 | SE 7 | E 8 | E 8 |
2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 4 | — | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | — | 14 | 3 | 18 | 13 | 4 | 1 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 12 | E 15 | E 15 | E 15 | E 14 | — | — | — | E 16 | E 11 | E 11 | E 14 | S 20 | E 13 | E 18 | E 12 | E 11 | E 11 | NE 11 |
3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | — | — | — | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 5 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NE 3 | NW 3 | SSE 2 | SE 7 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 6 | SE 8 | — | — | — | ENE 7 | — | — | NE 4 | NNE 4 |
— | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | 526 | 908 | 414 | 345 | 216 | 319 | — | — | — | 20 | — | — | 10 | 21 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 0 | 1797 | 3 | 33 | 1481 | 409 | 170 | 486 | 34 | 0 | 33 | 0 | 4 | 186 | 2 | 83 | 224 | 160 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Sunshine Coast | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Mooloolaba Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Mooloolaba provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Mooloolaba can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Mooloolaba 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 (Mooloolaba) 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 Mooloolaba 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 Sunshine Coast? If you are looking for accommodation near Mooloolaba, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Sunshine Coast, consider staying in Mooloolaba which is 1 km (1 miles) away. Other places in and around Sunshine Coast where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Sunshine Coast which is 7 km (4 miles) away, Buderim, Caloundra and Caboolture.










