North Stradbroke - Pt Lookout Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s keep it real—this outlook for North Stradbroke - Pt Lookout has some solid swell, but the wind is going to give you grief early on. There are a couple of windows worth paddling out, so let’s break it down.

Right now, we’re in a dry spell. The first surf worth talking about doesn’t show until Wednesday, July 22nd. Before that, from Thursday the 16th through Tuesday the 21st, it’s a total washout—wind is strong to gale force, mostly offshore or cross-off, shoving swell well over 8ft with combined energy readings running from 565 all the way up to 2278 (combined swell energy). That’s heavy power, but it’s near impossible to paddle into, and with rain and thunderstorms, it’s just not worth it. Over 8ft is expert-only territory, and these days are pushing way higher, up to 12ft. For paddle surfing, forget it. If you’re into kite surfing, those gale-force offshore days might light you up, but for a regular surfer, it’s a hard no.

Now for the good stuff. Wednesday, July 22nd. Morning brings cloudy skies and a solid 5ft swell out of the E, period 10 seconds, combined energy at 432 (moderate wave energy). Winds are SSE at 16 mph, cross-off, and the conditions are clean. This is where it starts turning. But the real standout? Wednesday afternoon. Same day. Swell holds at 5ft from the ESE, period 9 seconds, combined energy climbs to 685 (moderate wave energy). The wind shifts—SSE at 16 mph, now offshore. That’s clean, glassy stuff under a moderate breeze. Expect very good surf conditions. The swell direction (ESE) matches up nicely with the optimum E direction for this point break at Pt Lookout. This is the best on offer for the whole 16-day stretch. It’s consistent and fairly exposed, so it’ll be breaking. Crowds are “sometimes,” so you might share the waves, but with rain showers in the forecast, it could be quiet. Water temp is 71°F, with a water temperature anomaly of +0.4°F—pretty average for this time of year, nothing wild.

After Wednesday, it fades fast. Thursday the 23rd gives you 4ft from the E, period 9 seconds, combined energy down to 237. Winds are light, but it’s ordinary—surfable, but nothing to write home about. Friday the 24th is similar, 3ft to 4ft, period 8 seconds, energy around 132 to 144. Light to moderate winds, but quality is poor. From Saturday the 25th through Tuesday the 29th, we slide into tiny swell—2ft to 4ft, periods dropping to 7 or 8 seconds, combined energy struggling under 155. Winds shift around, mostly cross-off or onshore, and conditions are poor to average. No standouts here.

Then a long gap. Wednesday the 29th afternoon through Thursday the 30th and into Friday the 31st—swell is tiny, 2ft to 3ft, periods all over the place. Winds are light offshore or onshore, but there’s no energy. Combined energy drops below 100 (weak wave energy). That’s it. By Friday the 31st afternoon, it’s done.

So, to sum it up: the one true highlight is Wednesday, July 22nd afternoon at North Stradbroke - Pt Lookout. 5ft of clean, offshore swell with a solid period and moderate energy. That’s your window. Everything else is either too windy or flat. It’s a rough run, but that Wednesday afternoon makes it worth hanging in there. Keep your eyes on the forecast—things can always change.

Rusty.

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