Mooloolaba Surf Forecast and Surf Report

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

Read more