Mooloolaba Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Hey folks, Rusty here.

Alright, let's have a look at what's on the cards for us over the next few weeks. The forecast period kicks off on Saturday, 18th July, and we've got a mix of solid swell and tricky winds to start with.

The first real action comes in on Saturday morning at Mooloolaba (Sunshine Coast). We're looking at a clean 8ft swell from the SE, with a period of 9 seconds and a fresh offshore breeze out of the south at 19 mph. The water's sitting at 69°, which is about average for this time of year. The combined swell energy is moderate at 837, so there's some push there. The waves will be a bit raw and not super clean, but it's surfable for the crew who don't mind a bit of wind. This swell builds through the day, hitting 8ft in the afternoon with energy jumping to 1294, but the wind holds offshore, so it's still rideable.

Sunday, 19th July, is a different story. The swell jumps up to a solid 12ft from the SE, with a 10-second period, and the energy is pumping hard at 2600. But the wind is a strong 25 mph from the SSE, blowing cross-offshore. That's a lot of chop and power – this is expert territory only. The beach and reef setup here will be a washing machine, probably more suited to the kite crew than paddle surfing. The same goes for Monday, 20th July, with the swell hanging around 10ft but the wind still howling from the SE at 19 mph, giving us clean but messy conditions.

The standout of the whole period, if you're patient, is actually Thursday morning, 23rd July. The swell drops right back to a modest 3ft from the E, with an 8-second period, and the energy is weak at 130. But the real magic is the wind: glassy, zero wind, just a slight air. That's a rare treat for a beach break. The waves will be small and clean, perfect for a longboard or a funboard. It won't be pumping, but it will be pure. Just be aware that Mooloolaba is inconsistent and can be crowded, so get there early.

After that, the surf drops off significantly. Friday, 24th July, sees a bump back up to 8ft from the SE, but with a short 8-second period and fresh cross-offshore winds, it's not great. The rest of the run is a real dud. From Saturday, 25th July, all the way through to Friday, 31st July, the swell is tiny, the energy is low (mostly under 250), and the quality is poor. There's a solid 10-day gap with no real recommendations. A few morning sessions on the 26th and 27th might offer a little 3ft or 2ft wave with offshore winds, but it's marginal at best.

Looking further out, Saturday, 1st August, we see a bit of life again with a 6ft swell from the NE, but the period is a weak 7 seconds and the energy is only 311. The wind is cross-offshore, so it's a maybe, but not a standout. The rest of the first week of August stays small and ordinary.

So, to wrap it up: the best bet is that glassy Thursday morning, 23rd July, for a clean, small session. If you want more size, the early weekend of the 18th-19th has power, but the wind is a battle. The long-range stuff on the 1st of August is promising but not certain. Keep your eyes on the sky.

Rusty.

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