Mooloolaba Surf Break

Lat Long: 26.68° S 153.12° E

Mooloolaba Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 am 12 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Mooloolaba sea temperature is
20.8°C
0.7° 

Mooloolaba surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Mooloolaba surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 19 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 12s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 19 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 12s period, SE swell with 2,011 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 7s 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 Saturday (Sep 12) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 14s. 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 Mooloolaba in the next 16 days are 2.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 19) 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 1.3m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Sat 12th Sep)4ft (1.2m) 7s
Best Surf 1AM (Sat 19th Sep)8ft (2.5m) 12s
Most Powerful 1AM (Sat 19th Sep)8ft (2.5m) 12s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Mooloolaba over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you—Mooloolaba’s looking like one of those stretches where you’ll be checking the forecast more than actually paddling out. This is a beginner-friendly beach and reef set-up that’s inconsistent at the best of times, and over this 16-day run, the swell energy is mostly weak to moderate, with a couple of late spikes that might get the heart going. Water temp’s sitting at 69°F, which is about average for this time of year, so no need for a wetsuit.

The first real chance doesn’t come until Wednesday the 16th afternoon, and even then, it’s messy. A 8 ft SE swell rolls in with 6-second period—short period, poor quality—and a fresh 22 mph cross-off wind. Combined energy hits 393 (moderate), but that’s more of a wind-blown mess than something to get excited about. The sea surface is clean, but honestly, that’s about the only positive. Not a standout.

Thursday the 17th stays average: 7 ft to 8 ft SE swell with period stretching to 9 seconds, cross-off winds around 19 to 22 mph. Energy jumps up to 662 then 818 (strong), but the conditions are just “marginal.” Not the kind of day you set an alarm for.

Now, here’s the one bright spot—Friday the 18th afternoon. Swell drops slightly to 7 ft from the SE, period lifts to 10 seconds (decent groundswell), and the wind eases to a gentle 9 mph cross-off. Combined energy sits at 872 (moderate-strong), and the report says “expect very good surf conditions.” Mooloolaba, for a brief window, might actually have some clean, lined-up waves. Still moderate size, so okay for confident beginners, but it’s not huge.

Then the real standout: Saturday morning the 19th. A 6 ft ESE groundswell with a 12-second period—long period, real quality—and glassy conditions with only 3 mph NE winds. Combined energy is 954 (strong). This is the pick of the fortnight. The swell direction (ESE) doesn’t match the optimum NE, but when it’s that clean and the waves have that much push, you paddle out. Expect longer waits between sets, but the shape will be worth it. This is the best on offer—don’t sleep on it.

After that, it fades fast. Sunday the 20th goes onshore and weak; Monday the 21st onwards sees tiny swell (1.0 ft to 3 ft) and energy dropping below 100. There’s a gap from Sunday afternoon all the way to Thursday the 24th morning, where a 5 ft E swell shows up with 7-second period, but winds are light cross-shore and the conditions are rated “poor.” Not much to work with. Friday the 25th morning has another glassy moment (5 ft, 7-second period from the E), but the combined energy is only 198 (weak), and the report says “surfable but very ordinary.” You might get a few, but don’t expect classics.

From there, it’s a slow fade into tiny, onshore slop through to the end of the 27th. Swell direction never really lines up with the ideal NE, and the consistency just isn’t there.

So, the call: Saturday the 19th morning is your window—glassy, long-period groundswell, clean and punchy. Friday the 18th afternoon is a solid backup. Outside of that, Mooloolaba’s pretty quiet. If you’re a beginner wanting small stuff, maybe the 22nd or 25th mornings give you something to bob around on, but it’s nothing to write home about.

Signing off,
Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 20°C on Sat morning, min 15°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Tue morning, min 13°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NE on Tue morning, fresh winds from the SSE by Wed afternoon).

Saturday
12
Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
1
2
3
4
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.5
ESE
6
1.3
ESE
6
1.3
ESE
7
0.1
E
20
1.1
ESE
6
1.3
ESE
6
1
E
6
0.9
E
6
0.8
E
6
0.8
E
6
0.7
E
6
0.7
E
6
0.8
ENE
6
2.3
SE
6
3
SE
8
2
SE
9
2.5
SE
8
2.3
SE
8
2.1
SE
9
2
SE
10
2.5
SE
12
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
192
133
147
8
87
127
74
60
48
47
36
36
47
386
1118
654
813
728
686
712
2011
Wind (km/h)
20
SE
15
SE
10
SE
20
SE
15
SE
10
SE
10
SSE
10
E
5
NNW
5
NE
15
NE
15
NNW
20
SSE
35
SE
35
S
30
SSE
35
SSE
30
SSE
20
SSE
15
SE
10
SW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
glassy
on
on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
8:53PM1.74m
9:17AM1.67m
9:25PM1.60m
9:55AM1.64m
9:56PM1.45m
10:36AM1.58m
10:26PM1.30m
11:21AM1.50m
10:57PM1.15m
12:16PM1.42m
11:35PM1.02m
1:28PM1.37m
00:41AM0.91m
Low Tide
2:42PM0.18m
3:06AM0.17m
3:23PM0.27m
3:36AM0.20m
4:04PM0.39m
4:07AM0.25m
4:46PM0.52m
4:39AM0.31m
5:37PM0.65m
5:13AM0.38m
6:47PM0.74m
5:55AM0.46m
8:33PM0.76m
rain showers
clear
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:48
5:48
5:47
5:46
5:45
5:43
5:41
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:38
5:38
5:38
5:39
5:39
5:40
5:40
 mm
1
3
Temp °C
20
19
18
20
19
17
20
19
17
21
20
17
20
18
17
18
18
17
18
19
17
Feels °C
16
16
16
16
16
15
19
18
17
19
18
15
18
12
9
11
11
11
14
16
16
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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.

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