Surf Forecasts:
National Park surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 8s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 8s period, E swell with 337 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 8s period with E 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 Thursday (Aug 20) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at National Park in the next 16 days are 1.7m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 4PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for National Park over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it. National Park’s our only spot in the mix right now, and it’s a point break that’s fairly consistent and exposed to the east-northeast. Water’s sitting at 68°F and about a couple of degrees colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll notice that chill when you’re sitting out there.
The best of the run lands on the morning of Thursday, August 20th. We’ve got a 6ft easterly swell with an 8-second period, pushing a moderate 610 units of energy. Winds are light offshore from the ESE at 9 mph, so the surface will be clean. Expect very good surf conditions. This is your standout window. The afternoon drops off a little with a cross-off breeze and a bit less energy, but still surfable.
Friday the 21st morning is another clean slate with offshore 6 mph winds from the SE, waves around 4ft from the east, and 207 units of energy. It’s good, but not as punchy as Thursday. The afternoon gets a bit ordinary with a cross-off breeze and smaller 4ft swell.
Saturday the 22nd starts glassy, with just 3ft of east swell and 116 units of energy. Surfable but pretty weak. The afternoon stays in the same ordinary range.
From Sunday the 23rd through Tuesday the 25th, we’ve got a run of knee-high to waist-high waves, all under 3ft, with energy stuck below 140. Winds are mixed, with some glassy moments on Tuesday morning, but nothing to get excited about—just ordinary surf.
Then comes a rough patch. From Tuesday afternoon the 25th through to the end of August, winds go onshore, cross, or just messy. Swell tries to push back up to 6ft by the 31st, but with cross-shore winds and chop, the quality is poor. The first week of September doesn’t look much better, with onshore flow and stormy conditions keeping things ugly.
There’s a flicker of hope on September 3rd (Thursday), with a 2ft easterly swell, 10-second period, and 206 units of energy, plus a clean cross-off breeze. That’s a promising but distant call—still a couple of weeks out. September 4th is smaller again.
Overall, Thursday morning the 20th is your pick. After that, it’s a long wait for the next decent window.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Warm (max 20°C on Thu morning, min 16°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Tue morning, min 17°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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) | E 8 | E 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | E 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
329 | 294 | 174 | 187 | 155 | 103 | 108 | 142 | 151 | 133 | 127 | 91 | 76 | 80 | 109 | 118 | 88 | 94 | 79 | 76 | 36 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross-off | glassy | off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross | on | on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:04PM1.42m | 1:12AM1.12m | 3:22PM1.45m | 2:41AM1.06m | 4:27PM1.52m | 4:14AM1.07m | 5:17PM1.61m | 5:17AM1.14m | 5:57PM1.71m | 6:03AM1.23m | 6:31PM1.79m | 6:42AM1.32m | 7:04PM1.85m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:30PM0.90m | 7:45AM0.61m | 10:13PM0.90m | 8:57AM0.63m | 11:20PM0.82m | 10:07AM0.62m | 00:03AM0.73m | 11:02AM0.56m | 00:35AM0.62m | 11:48AM0.49m | 1:05AM0.53m | 12:29PM0.42m | 1:33AM0.44m | ||||||||
6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | |
— | 5:29 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 24 | 24 | 18 |
Feels °C | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 24 | 24 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 7 | E 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | E 7 |
154 | 294 | 174 | 187 | 155 | 103 | 108 | 142 | 151 | 133 | 127 | 91 | 76 | 80 | 109 | 118 | 88 | 94 | 79 | 76 | 36 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | ESE 9 | ENE 7 | SE 9 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 7 | NE 7 | S 7 | SSE 6 | SE 6 | NE 8 | NE 7 | E 14 | NE 7 |
127 | 53 | 77 | 20 | 23 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 19 | 34 | 29 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 33 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SE 10 | — | — | E 14 | E 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | E 8 | SE 7 | E 9 | E 11 | E 10 | S 11 | S 10 | E 16 | S 5 | E 15 | E 12 | E 13 |
— | — | 4 | — | — | 4 | 3 | 12 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 3 | — | — | — | — | NE 7 | NNE 4 | — | — | — |
329 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 23 | 10 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 665 | 2 | 2 | 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.











