North Stradbroke - Pt Lookout Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ve scanned the charts for our region, and to be straight with you—it’s a pretty tough stretch of days ahead. There’s really no standout session worth getting amped about, but there are a couple of windows where it *might* be worth a paddle if you’re desperate.

We’re kicking off with a long, flat run. From Tuesday the 11th right through to Saturday the 15th of August, it’s tiny—swell hanging around 1ft to 2ft from the east, with weak combined energy (between 28 and 85). Sure, the wind is offshore or cross-offshore for most of that, keeping it clean, but there’s just no push. You’d be floating more than surfing. Not worth wetting the suit.

Then things finally change. On Monday the 17th of August, a proper pulse shows up. Swell jumps to 5ft from the east-southeast, period a short 7 seconds, and combined energy climbs into the moderate range (215). It builds through the week, hitting 6ft to 7ft on Tuesday the 18th, with energy roaring up to 864. Problem is, the wind is howling strong breeze from the southeast (25 mph), cross-offshore, so it’ll be clean but messy on the face. That short period (7-8 seconds) means it’s not going to have any real grunt or shape—more of a pushy, lumpy wave. At that size, it’s getting too big for beginners, but the conditions aren’t doing the experts any favours either.

By Wednesday the 19th and Thursday the 20th, we’re still looking at 6ft to 6ft from the east-southeast, period still short around 8 seconds, and energy stays strong (437 to 558). Wind eases a little but stays fresh to strong from the south-southeast. Thursday morning gets a marginal rating—the first hint of something surfable. It’s fresh offshore and clean, so if you’re skilled and don’t mind a short-period wall, it’s the closest thing to a go. Still, nothing here is lighting the world on fire.

Friday the 21st sees the swell hold at 6ft to 6ft from the east, period stretching to 10 seconds—finally a bit of groundswell character. Energy is high (576–655), and fresh south-southeast offshore winds in the morning keep it lined up. This is likely the best of the lot. That longer period (10 seconds) will give the sets a bit more push and shape, but at a beach break like Point Lookout, it might break a bit straight. Still, it’s clean and has some grunt. Keep an eye on the afternoon though—there’s a risk of thunderstorms.

From Saturday the 22nd onward, the swell slowly fades, dropping back to 5ft then 3ft by Tuesday the 25th, with energy dropping into the moderate to weak range. Winds stay mostly cross-offshore or clean, but it’s just not exciting. By Wednesday the 26th, we’re back to 2ft and hardly any energy (87).

So, to sum it up: this is a blank run for quality surfing. If you’ve got a kite, the strong winds and clean swell from the 17th to the 21st might be more your thing—paddle surfing is going to be a grind. The one standout is Friday morning, August 21st, at Point Lookout (North Stradbroke – Pt Lookout). It’s a consistent point break with a decent east swell around 6ft, 10-second period, and fresh offshore wind. The crowd factor is “sometimes”—so you might have company, but it’s not a zoo. It’s the closest we get to a proper session, but don’t expect perfection. For the rest, it’s a waiting game.

Rusty.

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