Surf Forecasts:
Mooloolaba surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 8s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 17 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 7s period, ESE swell with 417 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 8s period with ESE 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Mooloolaba in the next 16 days are 2.0m 7s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 20) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Mon 17th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Mooloolaba over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at the surf ahead for Mooloolaba. The short story is this: we’ve got a small, clean window early, but then things get real small and real ordinary. If you’re keen, you’d better get out there in the first few days, because after that, it’s a waiting game for the next pulse.
Right off the bat, the Monday morning (17th) is the standout, but it’s not perfect. We’ve got a 7ft swell out of the ESE with a 7-second period, and the combined energy is sitting at 377 – that’s moderate wave energy, so there’s a bit of push behind it. The wind is a cross-off SE breeze at 15 mph, which will keep things clean. The water is 68°, which is a bit colder than usual for this time of year, so you might want a thicker wetsuit. This is a beach and reef set-up, and it’s inconsistent, so you’ll be waiting for the sets. It’s not huge, but it’s the best we’ll see for a while.
Monday afternoon turns a bit marginal as the swell drops slightly and the rain moves in. The energy’s still moderate at 394, but the conditions aren't as clean. Tuesday (18th) is much the same – 6ft ESE, 8-second period, moderate energy around 350, but the rain keeps things a bit messy.
Now, Wednesday (19th) morning is your second-best call. The swell is still 6ft, period bumps to 8 seconds, and the energy jumps to 449 – the strongest of the whole run. The wind drops to a gentle 9 mph cross-off, and it’s clear skies. The forecast says “expect good surf conditions,” and for a spot like this that doesn’t break often, I’d be on it early. It’s a bit too big for beginners at 6ft, but fine for anyone with a bit of experience. The sets will be a bit more lined up with that slightly longer period.
After that, Thursday (20th) the swell starts to fade. 4ft in the morning, energy still moderate at 479, but it’s dropping. By Friday (21st), we’re down to just over 4ft with the energy dropping into the low 100s – weak. From Saturday (22nd) onwards, it’s a long, slow fade into poor territory. The swell gets under 3ft, the periods stay short at 7-8 seconds, and the energy readings drop to double digits, which is weak. There’s a bit of a bump on the 27th with the swell pushing back to 3ft, but it’s still weak energy and the comment is “poor surf conditions.”
The light winds on the 23rd morning will give you a glassy surface, but there’s barely any swell to push through it. The second week is a real struggle. Most days we’re looking at ankle-biters. There’s a couple of mornings with clean conditions thanks to cross-off winds, but with waves that small, it’s not really worth paddling out for.
So, here’s the plan: you’ve got two windows – Wednesday morning the 19th is the pick, with Monday the 17th a close second. After that, it’s just a waiting game for the next real swell. Keep an eye on the charts, because it doesn’t look like it stays flat for long around here.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Tue night. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed morning, min 15°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Warm (max 20°C on Sat morning, min 15°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | E 7 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
373 | 390 | 385 | 346 | 346 | 314 | 375 | 272 | 192 | 275 | 178 | 196 | 159 | 130 | 131 | 108 | 142 | 153 | 155 | 151 | 125 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 11:12AM1.47m | 11:10PM1.42m | 12:03PM1.41m | 11:44PM1.26m | 1:05PM1.36m | 00:24AM1.12m | 2:22PM1.35m | 1:26AM1.00m | 3:36PM1.38m | 3:07AM0.95m | 4:36PM1.46m | 4:27AM0.97m | 5:23PM1.55m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:12PM0.50m | 5:33AM0.36m | 6:04PM0.64m | 6:12AM0.41m | 7:15PM0.75m | 6:59AM0.45m | 8:54PM0.80m | 8:02AM0.48m | 10:23PM0.76m | 9:15AM0.48m | 11:23PM0.67m | 10:18AM0.45m | 00:04AM0.57m | ||||||||
6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | |
— | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | |
mm | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 2 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 21 | 20 | 19 |
Feels °C | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 20 | 19 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 14 | E 14 | E 9 | E 14 | — | ESE 13 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | ENE 7 | SE 8 | SE 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 |
4 | 4 | 41 | 4 | — | 35 | 74 | 79 | 99 | 128 | 178 | 196 | 159 | 130 | 131 | 108 | 142 | 153 | 155 | 151 | 125 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | E 13 | — | — | — | — | ESE 11 | E 13 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | — | — | SSE 8 | — | ENE 9 | E 11 | SE 7 | SE 6 | SE 7 | ESE 9 |
— | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | 66 | 4 | 68 | 56 | — | — | 24 | — | 29 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 9 | — | — | — | — | E 14 | SE 8 | — | SE 9 | E 8 | S 9 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 2 | — | 3 | 1 | 2 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | E 7 | SE 10 | SE 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
373 | 390 | 385 | 346 | 346 | 314 | 375 | 272 | 192 | 275 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 170 | 34 | 34 | 34 | 34 | 34 | 0 | 34 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 34 | 2 |
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.











