The Reef surfForecast / QLD – Sunshine Coast / Australia

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 3 pm Thursday 30 Apr 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
24.3° 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 Monday (May 04) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.0m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at The Reef in the next 16 days are 2.5m 9s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (May 02) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Monday (May 04) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Mon 4th May)6.5ft (2.0m) 11s
Best Surf 1AM (Tue 5th May)7ft (2.1m) 12s
Most Powerful 1PM (Sat 2nd May)8ft (2.5m) 9s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Heavy rain (total 22mm), heaviest during Fri night. Warm (max 23°C on Sun morning, min 20°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Tue morning, min 19°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Thu
30
Friday
1
Saturday
2
Sunday
3
Monday
4
Tuesday
5
Wednesday
6
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
1
2
4
3
1
3
2
0
2
2
Swell
Height Map
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
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<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.1
E
8
2
E
8
2
ESE
8
2.1
ESE
8
1.8
ESE
8
2.5
ESE
9
2.5
ESE
10
2.2
ESE
10
2.2
ESE
10
1.8
ESE
10
1.9
ESE
10
2
ESE
11
2.1
ESE
11
2.1
ESE
12
1.7
ESE
11
1.6
E
11
1.5
E
11
1.4
E
10
1.4
E
10
1.3
E
10
1.2
E
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
617
576
547
555
394
1016
1129
896
980
667
698
891
1027
1121
711
606
505
416
400
327
262
Wind (km/h)
30
ESE
20
SE
25
SE
25
SSE
25
ESE
30
ESE
25
SE
20
SE
20
SE
15
SE
10
SE
15
S
10
SE
5
S
5
SSW
10
ENE
5
NW
0
E
10
ENE
10
NW
5
S
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
on
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
High Tide
7:36PM1.75m
7:31AM1.54m
8:13PM1.79m
8:03AM1.47m
8:50PM1.80m
8:36AM1.39m
9:28PM1.78m
9:10AM1.29m
10:07PM1.73m
9:46AM1.20m
10:49PM1.67m
10:28AM1.10m
11:34PM1.61m
11:18AM1.02m
Low Tide
1:44AM0.47m
1:41PM0.23m
2:25AM0.50m
2:12PM0.23m
3:06AM0.54m
2:43PM0.24m
3:50AM0.58m
3:16PM0.28m
4:36AM0.62m
3:51PM0.34m
5:28AM0.65m
4:28PM0.40m
6:27AM0.67m
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
thunderstorm
rain showers
light rain
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:11
6:11
6:11
6:13
6:13
6:13
6:13
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:17
5:16
5:15
5:15
5:15
5:14
5:13
5:13
1
3
1
2
9
4
2
2
Temp °C
22
21
22
22
22
22
22
22
23
22
22
22
22
21
23
22
21
23
22
21
22
18
19
19
20
20
19
19
19
21
22
22
21
22
23
24
23
22
23
22
22
24
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
E
15
0.1
NE
13
0.1
NE
8
1.9
ESE
10
1.8
ESE
10
1.9
ESE
10
2
ESE
11
2.1
ESE
11
2.1
ESE
12
1.7
ESE
11
1.6
E
11
1.5
E
11
1.4
E
10
1.4
E
10
1.3
E
10
1.2
E
10
Energy kJ
4
7
3
754
667
698
891
1027
1121
711
606
505
416
400
327
262
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
NNE
9
0.1
NE
8
0.2
NNE
8
0.1
NE
10
0.1
NE
10
0.1
NE
9
0.1
NE
9
0.2
NNE
11
0.1
NE
10
0.1
NE
10
0.2
ENE
9
0.2
ENE
9
Energy kJ
7
3
7
4
4
3
3
11
4
4
8
8
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
NE
10
Energy kJ
4
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.1
E
8
2
E
8
2
ESE
8
2.1
ESE
8
1.8
ESE
8
2.5
ESE
9
2.5
ESE
10
2.2
ESE
10
2.2
ESE
10
0.4
SW
3
Energy kJ
617
576
547
555
394
1016
1129
896
980
2
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
3
1
3
2
3
3
3
3
3
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
Distance (km)
159
159
45
159
45
12
45
159
45
45
45
12
12
12
12
1
12
0
1
1
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Sunshine Coast
Rating
(10 max)
3
3
2
3
4
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
2
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
4
5
3
5
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
6
5
6
7
5
5
5
7
4
4
4
5
5
4
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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