Surf Forecasts:
National Park surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 8s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 8s period, E swell with 302 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 7PM (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 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s. 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 1.6m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for National Park over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk about what’s on offer. National Park is a point break, exposed to the east-northeast. The water temp is 20°, which is a bit colder than usual for this time of year – just over a degree off, so you’ll want a wetsuit.
We’ve got a slow start, but things start to build. Thursday the 20th sees some easterly swell coming in at 6 ft with an 8-second period. The wind is a gentle offshore from the ESE, keeping things clean. The wave energy is moderate (456). It’s not huge, but it’s a fun, rideable size for an intermediate. Crowds are often here, so expect company.
Friday the 21st drops a bit, with the swell easing to 3 ft in the morning, period around 8 seconds. Still clean with light cross-off winds. The energy drops (199), but it’s still surfable. It picks up a little in the afternoon to 4 ft, but the period drops to 7 seconds, so it’ll be a bit weaker.
Saturday the 22nd offers a real treat for the early crew: glassy conditions with a 3 ft easterly swell. The wind is a light SSE at 5 km/h, dead calm. It’s small, but that glassy surface will make it look better than it is. The energy is low (116), so it’s a longboard or funboard morning.
Sunday the 23rd is similar, with glassy morning conditions and a 3 ft swell from the ENE. The wind is light, the surface is clean. Really nice for a small-wave session.
The middle of the week, Monday 24th through Wednesday 26th, is a write-off. Swell drops to 2 ft, and the winds get messy. Some days have cross-shore or onshore wind, and the energy is weak (below 100). Not worth paddling out.
Thursday the 27th and Friday the 28th stay small, around 2 ft, but the wind is fresh offshore from the SSE. It’s clean, but the size is just not there. The energy is still low (105–126), so you’re fighting for scraps.
Now, here’s the standout in the longer range. Saturday the 29th of August: the swell jumps to 3 ft, but the period stretches to 9 seconds, and the energy kicks up to 292. The wind is a gentle offshore from the SE, keeping it glassy. This is a solid call for a point break – that longer period will wrap in nicely. Sunday the 30th looks similar in size, but the wind turns onshore, so it’s not as clean.
Then we get another pulse at the start of September. Tuesday the 1st and Wednesday the 2nd see the swell holding around 4 ft to 5 ft, with a 10-second period. The energy is strong (418–425), and the wind is offshore or cross-off from the SSE. This is the best of the whole outlook. The size is still manageable for intermediates, but the period is long enough to give some real push. Expect clean conditions on Wednesday afternoon.
The best bet overall? That Wednesday the 2nd of September session. The combination of a 5 ft easterly swell, 10-second period, and a moderate offshore wind from the SSE will have National Park looking its best. The energy is strong (425). It’s one to circle on the calendar.
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 SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Warm (max 20°C on Sun morning, min 17°C on Sun 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 | ESE 8 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 7 | NE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
329 | 294 | 174 | 98 | 155 | 100 | 108 | 134 | 143 | 130 | 105 | 71 | 55 | 61 | 65 | 86 | 66 | 63 | 74 | 51 | 57 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross | on | cross-on | glassy | 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 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 22 | 17 |
Feels °C | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 7 | E 7 |
127 | 294 | 174 | 98 | 155 | 100 | 108 | 134 | 143 | 130 | 105 | 71 | 55 | 61 | 65 | 86 | 66 | 63 | 74 | 51 | 47 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ESE 9 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 7 | SE 8 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | ENE 10 | NE 9 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 8 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 8 | NE 8 |
— | 53 | 77 | 81 | 24 | 9 | 5 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 9 | 20 | 30 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 9 | 19 | 14 | 28 | 57 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SE 10 | SE 9 | SSE 8 | E 14 | E 12 | E 11 | ESE 10 | SE 8 | SE 7 | E 9 | SE 11 | SE 10 | S 7 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 5 | E 15 | S 10 | E 13 |
— | — | 4 | 20 | 24 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 4 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | — | ENE 3 | — |
329 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 4 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 697 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 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.











