Surf Forecasts:
National Park surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 8s period, ESE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 8s period, ESE swell with 629 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 8s period with ESE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for National Park this week:
The surf forecast for National Park over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at National Park in the next 16 days are 2.3m 8s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for National Park over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it for the National Park stretch.
We’ve got a solid run of surf kicking off right away, but the quality drops off mid-period before a promising spike at the very end of the month. The water is running a bit colder than normal for this time of year, coming in at 68°, so maybe grab that extra rubber if you’re heading out.
Monday 17th through Tuesday 18th sees a solid 7ft of ESE groundswell rolling in with a short 8-second period. The combined energy is moderate at 432, and holding. Winds are offshore from the SE, making for clean, lined-up waves. It’s not the biggest, but it’s consistent and workable. The real standout hits on Wednesday morning the 19th. The swell drops a touch to 4ft, but the period stretches to 9 seconds from the SE, and the energy jumps up to 536—that’s more juice. With a light offshore breeze, this is prime time. The waves will have shape, the paddling will be easier, and the waiting time between sets is manageable. A top morning, for sure. Thursday the 20th keeps the clean conditions but the swell drops to 4ft, and Friday the 21st is still surfable, though the wind goes cross-off in the afternoon.
Then comes a lull. From Saturday 22nd through to the end of the following week, it’s pretty grim. The swell drops to 3ft and below, the period is short, and the combined energy falls into the weak double digits. There are a few glassy moments on the 23rd and 24th mornings, but the waves are just too small and weak to get excited about. This flat spell lasts for about a week.
Hold on, because the outlook turns around at the end of the month. Monday 31st August brings a sudden spike. The swell jumps to 8ft from the SE with a short 7-second period, but the combined energy cranks up to 794—that’s strong stuff. The wind is offshore from the SE, so expect clean, powerful surf. This is a big, punchy swell. For the experienced crew, this is your window. The size is over 8ft, so it’s experts-only territory. The short period means it’ll be a bit lumpy and close together, but with that offshore wind, it’ll be a wild ride. This is the standout of the whole forecast. The energy drops slightly into Tuesday 1st September but still holds at 7ft with a clean cross-off wind.
So, the best of the lot is Wednesday 19th for the long-period, clean combo, and then Monday 31st August for the big, raw power. Get out there when you can.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 29mm), heaviest during Tue night. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed morning, min 16°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sat morning, min 16°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | SE 11 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | E 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
516 | 450 | 477 | 481 | 266 | 423 | 394 | 196 | 272 | 327 | 187 | 156 | 124 | 106 | 190 | 205 | 157 | 147 | 128 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross | on | glassy | off | glassy |
High Tide | 11:09PM1.49m | 11:58AM1.47m | 11:42PM1.35m | 12:54PM1.43m | 00:19AM1.22m | 2:04PM1.42m | 1:12AM1.12m | 3:22PM1.45m | 2:41AM1.06m | 4:27PM1.52m | 4:14AM1.07m | 5:17PM1.61m | |||||||
Low Tide | 5:29AM0.39m | 5:56PM0.68m | 6:06AM0.47m | 6:58PM0.82m | 6:49AM0.55m | 8:30PM0.90m | 7:45AM0.61m | 10:13PM0.90m | 8:57AM0.63m | 11:20PM0.82m | 10:07AM0.62m | 00:03AM0.73m | |||||||
— | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | |
mm | 5 | 4 | 3 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 |
Feels °C | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 13 | E 14 | — | ESE 13 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | SE 10 | ENE 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
3 | 4 | — | 35 | 158 | 135 | 245 | 76 | 272 | 227 | 187 | 156 | 124 | 106 | 190 | 205 | 157 | 147 | 128 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ENE 7 | NE 9 | — | — | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | E 9 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | SE 7 | ENE 10 |
— | — | — | — | 78 | 103 | 102 | 3 | — | — | 8 | 23 | 9 | 27 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 9 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 13 | — | — | — | — | — | E 14 | SSE 8 | ESE 11 | ESE 9 | SE 8 | — | E 9 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 6 | 12 | 9 | 3 | — | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | SE 11 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | — | ESE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
516 | 450 | 477 | 481 | 266 | 423 | 394 | 196 | — | 327 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 204 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 422 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Sunshine Coast | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the National Park Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for National Park provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at National Park can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our National Park 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 (National Park) 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 National Park 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.
National Park is 34 km (21 miles) from Sunshine Coast. If you plan a holiday in Sunshine Coast, look for hotels and other accommodation in Sunshine Coast. Sunshine Coast has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











