Surf Forecasts:
The Spit surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 7s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 8s period, E swell with 190 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 7s period with E 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 Friday (Aug 21) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 7s 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 Spit in the next 16 days are 1.2m 8s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Fri 21st Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Fri 21st Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Tue 25th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Spit over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Righto, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what the next couple of weeks are serving up at The Spit.
Straight off the bat, I gotta say this is a pretty ordinary run. The swell sticks mostly around the 2ft to 3ft range from the east-northeast, with a period of just 7 to 8 seconds. That's weak, short-period windswell with very little punch. The energy levels are mostly in the double digits (58 to 108), which is telling you it's got no grunt. For a river mouth that needs a decent push, this is frustrating.
The first real chance to even get a board wet comes Friday morning, August 21st. The water’s at 68°, which is about normal for this time of year. The swell is a tiny 3ft from the east, with a period of 7 seconds, but the wind is glassy from the north. That means the surface will be like a mirror, but the waves themselves are just… ordinary. It’s surfable, but only just. 3ft of short-period east swell is not going to get the heart pumping.
Saturday morning, August 22nd, is a bit cleaner with a light cross-offshore northwesterly, but the swell drops to 2ft. The energy is pitiful at 58. It’s a longboard or a foiler day, if anything. Sunday morning, August 23rd, is glassy again with a bit of a period bump to 8 seconds, but still only 2ft. It’s clean, but the lack of size is cruel.
The only glimmer in the whole 16-day window is Monday morning, August 31st. The swell picks up to 5ft from the east, with a period of just 6 seconds. The energy is moderate (153) and the wind is light offshore from the west, making for clean conditions. That’s the best on offer, but it’s still a short-period swell, so it’ll be a bit bumpy and fat on the bank. For a beginner-friendly spot, 5ft is your limit anyway, so that’s alright. The window is still a week away, so keep an eye on it.
The rest of the first week of September is a write-off. The wind is mostly cross-on from the southeast, which is going to chop it up, and the swell stays small. The energy is moderate at best, but the wind kills it.
To be honest, this is a tough stretch. The Spit is consistent, but if the swell isn't there and the wind is wrong, you’re better off staying in bed. The 31st is the only real standout, but it’s nothing to write home about. For now, take the glassy mornings if you’re desperate and have a longboard.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Warm (max 20°C on Sat afternoon, min 15°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 25°C on Wed afternoon, min 16°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | |||||||||||||||
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) | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 82 | 61 | 45 | 49 | 51 | 54 | 63 | 57 | 54 | 60 | 65 | 92 | 99 | 165 | 159 | 127 | 127 | 130 | 133 | 107 | 133 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | glassy | on | cross | cross-on | on | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 3:23PM1.20m | 3:04AM0.79m | 4:32PM1.25m | 4:42AM0.80m | 5:25PM1.33m | 5:45AM0.86m | 6:07PM1.41m | 6:29AM0.94m | 6:43PM1.48m | 7:06AM1.03m | 7:17PM1.54m | 7:40AM1.11m | 7:50PM1.57m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:29PM0.58m | 9:09AM0.42m | 11:31PM0.50m | 10:15AM0.40m | 00:13AM0.42m | 11:10AM0.36m | 00:48AM0.33m | 11:57AM0.31m | 1:19AM0.26m | 12:39PM0.26m | 1:48AM0.20m | 1:18PM0.21m | 2:16AM0.15m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | | | | |  | | |  | | |  | | | | |  |  | |
 | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — |
 | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:29 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 23 | 25 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 17 |
Feels °C | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 16 | 15 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | E 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
| kJ | 82 | 61 | 45 | 49 | 51 | 54 | 63 | 57 | 54 | 60 | 65 | 92 | 99 | 165 | 159 | 127 | 127 | 130 | 133 | 107 | 133 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 7 | ESE 9 | S 7 | SE 8 | SE 11 | NNE 7 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | S 10 | E 14 | E 13 | S 8 | NE 10 | SSE 6 |
| kJ | 47 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 23 | 3 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | E 14 | E 11 | E 11 | SE 7 | ESE 8 | SE 7 | E 12 | SE 14 | NE 7 | S 6 | SSE 5 | — | E 16 | E 14 | NE 14 | S 10 | S 15 | S 8 | S 6 |
| kJ | 34 | 41 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 12 | 1 | 3 | — | 5 | 4 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 24 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 2 | — | SE 4 | SE 4 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 5 | 13 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 130 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 14 | 22 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 149 | 4 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 28 | 28 | 22 |
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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