North Stradbroke - Pt Lookout Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, it’s Rusty. Look, I’ll be straight with you – the next 16 days at Point Lookout on North Stradbroke are a real mixed bag, and honestly, most of it is pretty ordinary. The swell is small and inconsistent for the bulk of the period, and the wind is a constant battle. Let’s walk through it.

The whole outlook starts Wednesday the 19th of August, and it’s a tough one. We’ve got a 5ft easterly swell at 7 seconds, but the wind is a solid 16 mph cross-off from the SE. The water is sitting at 69°F, which is about average for this time of year. The combined energy is moderate at 377, but the conditions are just poor. Not much to get excited about there. The afternoon drops to 4ft with a longer 11-second period from the SE, and the energy bumps up to 481, but it’s still marginal.

Thursday the 20th is more of the same – 5ft easterly swell in the morning at 8 seconds, energy at 274, but the wind stays cross-off at 16 mph. The score is a dud. The afternoon is a bit smaller with rain showers and a 12 mph easterly wind. It’s not happening.

Now, Friday the 21st is the first real standout. The morning is clean with a light breeze from the ESE at 6 mph, cross-off. The swell is only 3ft from the east at 7 seconds, but the energy is a modest 177. It’s surfable but very ordinary. Still, that light wind makes it the best wave we’ve seen yet. The afternoon turns cross-on and gets messy.

Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd are holding small – 3ft from the ENE. Sunday morning is a real tease with glassy conditions, 3 mph easterly wind, and the swell at 8 seconds. It’s still only 3ft, and the energy is weak at 113. It’s surfable, but you’ll be working for every wave. The rest of Sunday gets a bit chopped.

From Monday the 24th through the 26th, we’re looking at a massive gap. The swell drops to 2ft to 3ft, the wind is ugly from the NE and NW, and the energy is weak (as low as 74). The surf is basically non-existent. You’d be better off doing something else.

Thursday the 27th of August shows a glimmer – the morning is clean with a gentle offshore from the south at 9 mph. But the swell is only 2ft at 8 seconds, energy 81. It’s a long paddle for tiny waves. Friday the 28th is similar, with a 2ft easterly swell and a light offshore from the SSW. Clean, but tiny.

Then we hit the end of the period. Sunday the 30th of August has a noticeable spike in the afternoon – 6ft from the SE, but it’s a short 6-second period, energy at 378. The wind is a fresh 19 mph cross-off. That’s a lot of wind and a short, messy swell. It’s not going to be fun. Then Tuesday the 1st of September brings a long-period groundswell – 5ft from the SE at 13 seconds, energy roaring up to 757. That’s a lot of energy, but the wind is a fresh 19 mph cross-off. The period is long, so it’ll be better on the point, but the wind is a worry. It’s marginal.

The absolute best on offer is Friday the 21st of August morning. The light wind and clean conditions at Point Lookout make it the most likely window for a surf, even if the swell is small. For a bit of a gamble, Tuesday the 1st of September has the most energy, but the wind is a problem. If you’re desperate, paddle out Friday morning.

Rusty.

Read more