
Surf Forecasts:
National Park surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 11s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 10s period, SE swell with 3,146 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 11s period with SE 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 Saturday (Jul 18) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 11s period. 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 4.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 6s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 13ft (4.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for National Park over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, grab your board. Let’s talk about National Park.
We’ve got a solid pulse of swell coming through, but it’s a classic case of too much of a good thing at the start. The energy is right up there, with a combined swell energy reading of 1624, which is proper strong. The water temp is sitting at 21°, which is pretty much average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
The first few days are a bit of a write-off for a paddle. On Saturday the 18th, we’re looking at 10ft of SE swell with a 10-second period, which is a lot of water moving. The wind is a cross-off from the south, but that swell is just too big for this point break. It’s the same story on Sunday the 19th – the swell jumps to 13ft, and with strong cross-off winds, it’s just a washing machine. If you’re a kite surfer, this might be your window, but for a paddle surfer, it’s a no-go.
Monday the 20th holds some promise, but it’s still a big 12ft from the ESE. The wind goes offshore, which is a massive positive for the surface, but the swell is so solid it’s going to be a battle to get out. The combined energy is still over 2000, so it’s a heavy paddle. This is strictly for the experienced crew.
Now, Tuesday the 21st is the standout. The swell drops to a more manageable 8ft in the morning, dropping to 8ft in the afternoon, still from the ESE with a 10-second period. The wind is offshore from the SE, and the combined energy is down to 1129 – still strong, but not insane. The waves are going to be clean and powerful. This is the best quality on offer, but at 8ft, it’s still an expert-only zone. The afternoon is a bit smaller at 8ft, and that’s where you want to be.
Wednesday the 22nd is a good day for the intermediate crowd. The swell drops to 6ft with a 9-second period, and the wind is light and favorable. The energy is down to 468, so it’s a lot more user-friendly. The afternoon is even better at 5ft, with glassy conditions and a light offshore breeze. This is a solid day.
Thursday the 23rd is flat and small. The swell is down to 4ft with a short 8-second period, and the energy is only 194. It’s surfable, but it’s ordinary. The wind goes glassy in the morning, which is nice, but there’s just not enough wave.
Then we get another pulse. Friday the 24th throws a 10ft SE swell back at us, and with a short 8-second period, it’s going to be a messy, choppy mess. The wind is offshore, but the swell is too big and the period is too short. Saturday the 25th is more manageable at 7ft, but the period is a short 7 seconds, so it won’t have much shape.
From Sunday the 26th onward, the swell drops off significantly. We’re looking at 5ft and smaller with a short period, and the energy is low. The wind is okay, but the waves are just average. There’s a long gap of poor to ordinary surf from the 26th right through to the end of the month.
Looking into the first week of August, there’s a glimmer. On Friday the 31st of July, we see a tiny 2ft swell, but the period jumps to 13 seconds, which is a very long groundswell. The energy is only 200, so it’s weak, but that long period will give it some life. The wind is offshore, so it’s clean. The best of that mini-run is Saturday the 1st of August, with a 3ft, 12-second period swell and light winds. It’s a small wave, but with that long period, it’ll be lined up and clean. It’s a promising but a long way out, so keep an eye on it.
So, to sum it up: Tuesday the 21st is your best bet. Get out there for the afternoon session if you’re experienced. Wednesday the 22nd is the day for the rest of us. The rest of the period is a mix of too big, too small, or just average. The long-range stuff on the 1st of August is worth watching, but it’s a long way off.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 20°C on Sat afternoon, min 17°C on Sat night). Mainly strong winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 20°C on Wed morning, min 16°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed night, fresh winds from the SSE by Fri morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SE 10 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
1616 | 3097 | 3146 | 2817 | 2694 | 2523 | 2239 | 1902 | 1129 | 863 | 601 | 461 | 342 | 230 | 191 | 157 | 149 | 1001 | 672 | 585 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | glassy | glassy | off | cross-off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 11:15PM1.79m | 11:49AM1.43m | 11:56PM1.63m | 12:44PM1.41m | 00:36AM1.48m | 1:45PM1.42m | 1:19AM1.35m | 2:53PM1.45m | 2:12AM1.25m | 3:58PM1.51m | 3:16AM1.19m | 4:56PM1.59m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:48PM0.38m | 5:47AM0.36m | 5:38PM0.52m | 6:28AM0.42m | 6:32PM0.67m | 7:10AM0.47m | 7:38PM0.80m | 7:56AM0.52m | 8:58PM0.88m | 8:47AM0.54m | 10:21PM0.89m | 9:41AM0.55m | 11:28PM0.85m | |||||||
— | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | |
5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | |
mm | — | 6 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 1 | — | 3 |
Temp °C | 20 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 |
Feels °C | 14 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 11 | 11 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 20 | ESE 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 9 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 9 | E 9 | — |
8 | 32 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 601 | 461 | 342 | 230 | 191 | 157 | 149 | 41 | 41 | — | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 10 | E 13 | E 13 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | — | NE 8 | ENE 9 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 5 | — | 11 | 7 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 13 | SE 13 | SE 13 | E 12 | E 12 | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | — | — | — | — | SSW 2 | SE 3 | SE 5 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 |
1616 | 3097 | 3146 | 2817 | 2694 | 2523 | 2239 | 1902 | 1129 | 863 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 76 | 1001 | 672 | 585 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 947 | 831 | 831 | 738 | 520 | 340 | 340 | 204 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 520 | 203 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Sunshine Coast | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










