Mooloolaba Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Look, I’ve been staring at the charts for Mooloolaba and I’ve got to be straight with you—this 16-day stretch is a tough one. There’s not a single standout session in the whole run. The best we get is some marginal, small surf with tricky winds, and even that’s a stretch. Let’s break it down, but don’t expect any fireworks.

The first bit of surf worth mentioning kicks off Tuesday, August 18th, with a morning session. The swell is a messy 6 ft east-southeast, but the period is short at 8 seconds—this is windswell, not groundswell, so the waves will be crumbly and lack push. Combined wave energy is just 340 (moderate). Winds are cross-off from the southeast at 9 mph, which will keep things clean, but the waves are so average you’d be struggling to find a decent wall. The water is at 68°, which is about a degree colder than normal for this time of year—nothing wild, but you’ll feel it if you’re in a spring suit. This is a beginner-level spot and it’s inconsistent, so don’t get your hopes up.

Tuesday afternoon looks worse. Swell pushes to 7 ft from the east-southeast, but period drops to 7 seconds and wind cranks up to 16 mph cross-off. The wave energy jumps to 444 (moderate), but the conditions are poor—that wind will create a mess, and the short period means the waves will be lumpy and hard to ride. The score is a zero, and I wouldn’t paddle out.

Wednesday the 19th offers a morning session with 6 ft east-southeast swell, 8-second period, and cross-off wind at 12 mph. Energy is solid at 749 (moderate). But it’s still marginal—the waves will be clean enough, but the quality just isn’t there for a good wave. Beginners might find it okay if they’re keen, but nothing special. Afternoon drops to 5 ft, same mess.

Thursday the 20th is a write-off: 3 ft in the morning, 6 ft in the afternoon, but cross-shore winds from the east-southeast at 9 mph create a slight chop. Poor conditions, zero out of ten.

Now Friday the 21st morning is the closest thing we get to a bright spot. Only 4 ft east swell at 7 seconds, but the wind goes glassy—SE at 3 mph. Wave energy is weak at 150. It’s small, weak, and short-period, but those glassy conditions will make it look okay from the beach. Crowds are possible here, as it’s often busy. You’ll get a few fun little runners, but nothing to write home about.

Saturday the 22nd morning is similar: 3 ft from the east-northeast, 7-second period, glassy wind. Wave energy is a weak 89. Again, small and clean, but barely surfable. After that, the surf just fades.

From Sunday the 23rd right through to September 2nd, it’s a long stretch of tiny, poor waves. Most days are under 3 ft, with poor winds, onshore or cross-on. There’s a brief blip on Wednesday the 26th morning with 2 ft east swell and a light offshore from the southwest at 9 mph—clean and glassy offshore, but so small it’s hardly worth the paddle. Wave energy is just 89. Then again on Thursday the 27th morning, 2 ft east swell with offshore southwest wind, clean but tiny.

The last bit of note is Wednesday, September 2nd morning, when a pulse of 3 ft southeast swell at 8 seconds arrives with a 16 mph cross-off wind. Combined energy is 117 (weak). Still poor, still not worth it.

Honestly, mate, this is a drought. If you’re desperate, the very best chance is Friday August 21st morning or Saturday August 22nd morning for some glassy, knee-high waves. But don’t get your hopes up. It’s one of those blank runs where the area just isn’t delivering. Forecasts can change, but right now, I’d leave the boards at home.

Rusty.

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