The Reef surfForecast / QLD – Sunshine Coast / Australia

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 9 am Saturday 20 Dec 2025 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
25.6° 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 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Dec 21) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 5s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m and 6s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at The Reef in the next 12 days are 2.1m 7s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Dec 26) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Dec 23) at 4AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Sun 21st Dec)3ft (0.9m) 5s
Best Surf 1AM (Sun 21st Dec)3ft (0.9m) 5s
Most Powerful 7PM (Fri 26th Dec)7ft (2.1m) 7s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Reef over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Mon morning, min 21°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 31mm), heaviest during Tue afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Tue morning, min 23°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
Thursday
25
Friday
26
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.9
ENE
0.7
E
0.9
NNE
1.1
ENE
1.7
NE
1.4
NE
1.1
NE
1.8
NE
1.3
NNE
1.1
NNE
1.3
NNE
1.2
N
0.3
ENE
0.3
ENE
0.3
ENE
0.3
ENE
1.3
NNE
1.4
SE
1.9
SE
2.1
SE
1.8
ESE
Period(s) (?)8856666666661413131355677
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)945434971831528920212392115943835343192119296360297
Wind
(km/h)
15
NE
25
NNE
15
NNW
15
NNE
30
NNE
20
NNW
20
N
30
NNE
20
NNW
15
NNE
5
SSE
20
NNW
10
S
10
NE
15
NW
10
NNE
20
NNE
20
SE
20
SSE
15
ESE
10
SE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
on
crosscross-
off
crosscross-
on
cross-
off
crosscross-
on
cross-
off
crosscross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
8:13PM
1.22
8:56AM
1.82
8:53PM
1.21
9:32AM
1.82
9:32PM
1.19
10:09AM
1.80
10:13PM
1.18
10:48AM
1.75
10:57PM
1.19
11:29AM
1.68
11:48PM
1.21
12:15PM
1.60
12:46AM
1.25
Low Tide
/ height (m)
2:51PM
0.47
2:06AM
0.23
3:30PM
0.44
2:43AM
0.24
4:09PM
0.43
3:21AM
0.27
4:48PM
0.43
4:02AM
0.31
5:27PM
0.44
4:47AM
0.36
6:09PM
0.45
5:39AM
0.43
6:54PM
0.46
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
Wednesday
24
Thursday
25
Friday
26
Sunrise4:48--4:50--4:50--4:50--4:50--4:52--4:52--
Sunset-6:38--6:38--6:39--6:39--6:40--6:40--6:42-
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
thunderstorm
clear
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
Rain (mm)
----------1924----6-43
Temp. °C272624282724292826302723262624292825262525
Feels °C (?)262426292623282727313125292827312928272628
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder

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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 12 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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