Surf Forecasts:
The Spit surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 17 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, SSE swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, SSE swell with 1,883 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 17 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period with SSE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for The Spit this week:
The surf forecast for The Spit over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 1.6m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at The Spit in the next 16 days are 3.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 17) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Spit over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let me break down The Spit for you over the next couple of weeks. I'm not gonna sugarcoat it – most of this run is a bust. This is a river mouth, open to the east, and the wind and swell just aren't cooperating.
The first real action we see is on Wednesday the 16th, but it's a write-off. You've got a weak 1.0m SSE swell with a short, punchless 6-second period, and a stiff 35 km/h cross-shore breeze ruining any chance of a clean wave. The combined energy is a low 86, so there's nothing to work with. That same poor quality hangs around through the rest of the week and into the weekend. There's a tiny glimmer on Saturday the 19th morning – a 0.7m SE swell with a clean little cross-off breeze from the NNW, but the energy is only 100, so it's barely surfable. You might paddle out for a few weak ones, but it's not worth the drive.
Then we hit a proper desert. From Sunday the 20th all the way through to Tuesday the 29th, it's tiny, junk swell with onshore winds, thunderstorms, and chop. The swell does bump up to 1.5m or 1.8m a few times, but it comes with a strong onshore wind and short period, creating a full-on washing machine. That's over a week of nothing to recommend – a long, dry spell for surfers.
Now, here's the real standout. On Tuesday the 29th of September, early morning, we get glassy conditions. There's a 1.2m ENE swell with an 8-second period, and the combined energy is 208, giving it some moderate push. The wind is dead calm – glass. The water temp is around 21°, which is pretty normal for the season. The Spit will be clean, offering fun, manageable waves. It's a beginner-friendly spot, consistent, and although it can get crowded (often busy here), a Tuesday morning might give you some room. The swell is from the east, which is ideal for this break.
The next day, Wednesday the 30th morning, also looks good. You get a 1.4m E swell with a clean cross-off breeze from the NNW. The energy jumps to 292, so there's a bit more power, and it should still be nice and lined up. Another solid option.
After that, the wind starts to mess things up again into early October, making those two days at the end of September your best bet.
So here's the long and short of it: The Spit is basically flat and messy for over a week. The real window is Tuesday the 29th and Wednesday the 30th of September. That glassy Tuesday morning is the one to circle – clean, chest-high waves and no wind. Don't miss it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed morning, min 12°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSE on Wed afternoon, light winds from the NNE by Fri afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sat morning, min 17°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | Tuesday 22 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 6 | SE 8 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | N 5 | SE 17 | NNE 5 | SSE 11 | SE 11 | SE 4 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 58 | 378 | 867 | 460 | 509 | 898 | 166 | 138 | 92 | 88 | 64 | 35 | 17 | 9 | 9 | 15 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 19 | 40 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross |
High Tide | 11:34AM1.31m | 11:26PM0.97m | 12:22PM1.26m | 00:11AM0.86m | 1:19PM1.21m | 1:14AM0.78m | 2:28PM1.20m | 2:47AM0.75m | 3:40PM1.23m | 4:28AM0.80m | 4:39PM1.28m | 5:25AM0.89m | 5:25PM1.35m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:57PM0.48m | 5:30AM0.32m | 7:03PM0.55m | 6:13AM0.39m | 8:30PM0.57m | 7:11AM0.45m | 9:59PM0.53m | 8:26AM0.49m | 10:56PM0.45m | 9:42AM0.47m | 11:35PM0.37m | 10:43AM0.43m | 00:07AM0.29m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | 5:43 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — |
 | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 |
Temp °C | 19 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 24 | 21 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 24 | 22 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 20 |
Feels °C | 13 | 10 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 6 | E 13 | NE 13 | SE 10 | NE 13 | SE 10 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | NE 4 | NNE 4 | NNE 4 | SE 11 | NNE 5 | SE 11 | — |
| kJ | 20 | 4 | 7 | 460 | 7 | 303 | 166 | 138 | 92 | 88 | 64 | 35 | 17 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 10 | 19 | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 14 | — | — | — | — | E 16 | E 12 | E 15 | E 18 | SE 17 | SE 16 | NNE 4 | NNE 4 | SE 11 | SE 8 | SE 18 | SE 11 | S 7 | SSE 11 | NNE 5 | E 8 |
| kJ | 4 | — | — | — | — | 5 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 12 | 2 | 1 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 14 | — | — | — | — | — | E 12 | E 12 | E 14 | E 8 | E 7 | E 8 | SE 11 | E 8 | SE 11 | SE 7 | SE 17 | E 15 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 |
| kJ | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 11 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 6 | SE 8 | SE 10 | S 3 | SE 10 | SSE 9 | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | — | — | NNE 4 | — | N 5 | NE 3 | NNE 5 | — | ESE 3 | SE 4 |
| kJ | 58 | 378 | 867 | 3 | 509 | 898 | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | 2 | — | 15 | 1 | 9 | — | 10 | 40 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 176 | 1391 | 302 | 22 | 348 | 12 | 22 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 166 | 17 | 28 | 326 | 18 | 33 | 531 | 18 | 28 | 28 | 28 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gold Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the The Spit Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for The Spit provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at The Spit can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our The Spit 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 Spit) 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 Spit 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 Spit is 4 km (2 miles) from the city of Southport. If you plan a holiday in Gold Coast, look for hotels and other accommodation in Southport. Southport has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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