North Stradbroke - Pt Lookout Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ll be straight with you – this 16-day window for North Stradbroke’s Point Lookout is a tough one. We’re looking at a long stretch of small, weak, and often messy surf, with very few moments that even get close to being worth a paddle. The good news is the break is a consistent point, so when it does turn on, it’s a gem. But for the next couple of weeks, you’ll be doing a lot of waiting.

The first real chance of anything comes on Sunday, August 2nd. We get a pulse of swell pushing in at 4 ft from the ESE, but with a period of only 6 seconds, it’s short and crumbly. The combined energy is moderate (155), but the wind is a cross-offshore breeze that will keep it clean. It’s marginal, and by the afternoon, the combined energy jumps to 285 as the wind drops to a moderate breeze, but it’s still just a clean, small wave. Not a standout, but it’s the first thing we’ve seen.

The next morning, Monday, August 3rd, has a similar vibe. A 2 ft swell from the SE with a 10-second period gives a long-period groundswell feel, and the combined energy is 221. The wind is light and cross-off, so it’ll be clean. But again, it’s small and ordinary. The water temperature is sitting at 70°, which is about normal for this time of year, so no need to stress about a wetsuit if you’re used to it.

After that, we hit a dry spell. From Tuesday, August 4th, right through to Saturday, August 15th, the forecast is littered with “poor surf conditions”. We’re talking swell heights mostly under 3 ft, periods that are all over the place, and combined energy that rarely breaks 100. The winds are a real mix – some clean mornings, but mostly cross or onshore. There’s a brief moment on Thursday, August 6th, with a 2 ft swell and a light offshore breeze, but it’s tiny and weak. August 14th shows a 5 ft spike from the north, but with a horrible 6-second period and onshore winds, it’s a messy, blown-out 292 combined energy that’s really only any good for the kite crew.

The absolute best of a bad bunch is Sunday, August 2nd. The morning offers the biggest swell of the early period at 4 ft from the ESE, the wind is clean and cross-off, and the break’s easterly optimum direction means it’s got a decent angle. It’s not a world-class day, but it’s the only window where you’ll find a few clean, rideable waves. The crowds at Point Lookout are sometimes a problem, but on a day like this in the middle of winter, you’ll have plenty of room.

So, to sum it up: the next two weeks are mostly flat and forgettable. Don’t bother checking the charts until August 2nd. After that, keep your expectations low. It’s a consistent break, so it won’t stay this way forever, but for now, the forecasts are a bit of a write-off.

Rusty.

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