North Stradbroke - Pt Lookout Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. Rusty here, lookin’ at the forecast for Point Lookout on North Stradbroke. This one’s a bit of a slow burn, so strap in.

First thing, the water temp is sittin’ at 70°F – that’s pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there. The long-range outlook is a mixed bag, but there’s a glimmer of hope towards the end of the second week if you’re patient.

The first few days are a write-off. Monday the 27th through to the end of July are all marked by poor surf conditions. We’re talkin’ tiny waves, mostly around 1ft to 3ft, with a short, weak period of 6 to 10 seconds. The combined energy of all swells is low, stuck in the 30s and 40s (weak energy). The wind is mostly cross-off or offshore, keepin’ it clean, but there’s just no power behind it. Thursday the 31st morning has a fresh offshore breeze at 22 mph, but with only 3ft on offer, you’re just gettin’ spray in your face for nothin’.

Now, we hit August. Saturday the 1st sees a slight bump, with the afternoon pushin’ up to 4ft from the ESE, but the period is still a shockin’ 6 seconds. The energy climbs to 137 (moderate energy), but the conditions are still ‘poor’. Sunday the 2nd is the first real tease – the morning swell hits 5ft from the ESE, period 7 seconds, and the energy jumps to 208 (moderate energy). The wind is a clean cross-off from the SE at 12 mph. That’s a surfable wave, but it’s nothin’ to write home about, and it’s still gettin’ a ‘poor’ call.

Monday the 3rd and Tuesday the 4th are ‘surfable but very ordinary’. Monday has 4ft from the east with a 7-second period, and the energy is still decent at 184 (moderate). The wind is light and cross-off. It’s doable, but you’ll be workin’ for it.

The real standout, the one you’re waitin’ for, is Sunday the 9th of August. Mark it in the calendar. The morning session is the only time in the whole 16 days that gets a ‘good surf conditions’ rating. The swell is 4ft from the SE, but the period stretches out to 11 seconds – that’s a proper groundswell. The combined energy hits 283 (moderate-to-strong energy). What seals the deal is the wind: a light breeze from the SSW, makin’ it a clean, cross-off flow. At Point Lookout, with that SE direction bein’ the optimum, this is the day. It’s a consistent point break, intermediate friendly, but the crowds are *sometimes* there, so get in early. The long period (11s) will give it nice shape and some gap between sets, makin’ the paddle out easier.

The rest of that second week falls away again. Monday the 10th and Tuesday the 11th are back to choppy, onshore slop or strong cross-shore winds, with small, weak swell. Tuesday the 11th has a massive 28 mph westerly, which is just messy.

So, the call: The first 10 days are almost all a bust. The only real, honest-to-goodness window is the morning of Sunday the 9th of August. It’s a long way off, so don’t lock it in, but if that forecast holds, it’s your best shot at a clean, fun wave at the Point.

Rusty.

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