North Stradbroke - Pt Lookout Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve gotta be straight with you—this forecast for Point Lookout is a real test of patience. The first week and a half is mostly a write-off, but there’s a flicker of hope right at the end that could make the wait worthwhile. Let’s break it down.

We’re starting off with a bit of a tease. Sunday morning, 9th August, there’s a tiny 1.0m easterly swell rolling in at 9 seconds, and the wind is glassy out of the west at just 3 mph. The water’s sitting at 69°F, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year. The energy is weak (180), and while the conditions are “surfable,” the waves are very ordinary. It’s not enough to get excited about.

Then the door slams shut. From Sunday afternoon all the way through to the morning of Thursday, 20th August, it’s a long, dry spell. Day after day of sub-1m slop, strong winds, and poor surf conditions. Monday 10th brings a 1.6m northerly windswell but with a howling 25 mph onshore breeze—total mess. The weeks after that are dominated by weak, short-period easterly swells and fresh to strong breezes. The only highlight in the wind is a few mornings of clean offshore, but the swell is just too small (0.4m to 0.9m) to bother paddling out for.

The first real sign of life comes on Thursday morning, 20th August. We’ve got a 2.4m easterly swell with a 10-second period, and the wind is a clean offshore out of the south at 19 mph. The energy jumps to 1079 (strong), and the conditions are “fresh offshore and clean.” The forecast calls it marginal due to tide, but for the experienced crew, this is the first proper window. It’s a point break, so that long-period groundswell (10 seconds) will wrap in nicely, and with the wind off the land, it’ll be lined up. This is the standout for the first half of the run—don’t expect perfection, but it’s the only game in town.

But the real gem is hiding at the end. Friday morning, 21st August, the swell holds at a solid 2.0m from the east, 10 seconds, and the wind drops to a light 6 mph from the west-southwest—cross-off, clean conditions. The energy is 771 (moderate), and the forecast says “expect very good surf conditions.” This is the best on offer. The waves will have shape, the wind won’t shred them, and the point break setup (North Stradbroke - Pt Lookout) is ideal for that east swell. It’s a consistent, intermediate-friendly spot, but crowds are possible here, so get there early.

After that, it falls apart again. Saturday and Sunday the 22nd and 23rd show 1.9m to 1.7m easterly swell, but the wind swings onshore or cross-shore, making it lumpy and messy. The period stretches to 11 seconds on Saturday, which would normally be a treat for a reef or point, but the cross-wind ruins it.

So here’s the bottom line: there’s a long, frustrating gap with no real surf for the first 11 days. The standout is Friday morning, 21st August, at Point Lookout—2.0m east swell, light offshore wind, clean lines. Thursday morning 20th August is a backup if you’re desperate. The rest? Sit on the beach and watch the kites. But don’t lose hope—this coast tends to turn around, and forecasts can change. Keep an eye on it.

Rusty.

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