The Reef surfForecast / QLD – Sunshine Coast / Australia

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 3 pm Thursday 26 Mar 2026 AEST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
The Reef surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's The Reef sea temperature is
25.9° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for The Reef this week:

The surf forecast for The Reef over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Mar 27) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 5s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at The Reef in the next 16 days are 1.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Mar 26) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Mar 28) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10AM (Fri 27th Mar)3.5ft (1.0m) 10s
Best Surf10AM (Fri 27th Mar)3.5ft (1.0m) 10s
Most Powerful10PM (Thu 26th Mar)5ft (1.5m) 11s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Reef over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 29°C on Fri morning, min 16°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Mon night. Warm (max 25°C on Wed morning, min 20°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Thu
26
Friday
27
Saturday
28
Sunday
29
Monday
30
Tuesday
31
Wednesday
01
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.6
ESE
1.4
ESE
1
ESE
0.8
E
0.7
E
0.6
E
0.6
E
0.6
E
1.8
SE
1.8
SE
1.3
ESE
1.2
ESE
1.7
ESE
1.4
SE
0.7
ENE
0.8
ENE
0.9
ENE
1.2
ESE
1.2
E
1.4
E
1.4
ESE
Period(s) (?)1111101010101096665667677777
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)6344152221279668676420623110083175128455577139142195208
Wind
(km/h)
20
NNE
25
NNW
10
WSW
25
WSW
20
SW
15
S
15
SSE
15
SE
25
SSE
25
SE
15
SSE
25
SSE
30
SE
20
SE
20
SE
15
ESE
15
ESE
20
SE
20
ESE
15
ESE
20
SE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
cross-
off
offcross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
3:34AM
1.71
4:02PM
1.03
4:42AM
1.77
5:11PM
1.17
5:35AM
1.82
6:02PM
1.32
6:20AM
1.84
6:45PM
1.47
6:59AM
1.83
7:25PM
1.60
7:34AM
1.79
8:02PM
1.69
8:06AM
1.72
Low Tide
/ height (m)
8:10PM
0.45
10:38AM
0.54
9:36PM
0.44
11:33AM
0.44
10:48PM
0.39
12:15PM
0.36
11:47PM
0.34
12:50PM
0.29
12:37AM
0.31
1:22PM
0.25
1:22AM
0.31
1:52PM
0.22
2:03AM
0.35
Thu
26
Friday
27
Saturday
28
Sunday
29
Monday
30
Tuesday
31
Wednesday
01
Sunrise--5:52--5:54--5:54--5:54--5:54--5:56--5:56
Sunset5:52--5:51--5:50--5:49--5:47--5:46--5:45--
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
Rain (mm)
-------1212-264311---
Temp. °C262329261921212123232324232223232325242324
Feels °C (?)262329211318191920202121202123232324232321
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the The Reef Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for The Reef provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at The Reef can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our The Reef surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (The Reef) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).

Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for The Reef may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.

The Reef is 2 km (1 miles) from Caloundra. If you plan a holiday in Sunshine Coast, look for hotels and other accommodation in Caloundra. Caloundra has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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