
Surf Forecasts:
The Spit surf forecast from 13 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 17 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, SSE swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, SSE swell with 2,279 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 6s 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 Monday (Sep 14) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 10s. 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 3.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Friday (Sep 18) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Mon 14th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Spit over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, let's talk about The Spit. It's been a rough patch, and the next 16 days are pretty lean. Don't expect any fireworks.
The water's sitting at about 70°, which is standard for this time of year, nothing to write home about.
Starting with Sunday, September 13th, it's a bust. We've got a tiny 3ft swell from the ESE, but with a short period of 6 seconds and weak energy. That 12 mph SE wind is blowing cross-on, making it a choppy mess. Monday the 14th is even smaller, down to 2ft, and the wind is still cross-on. You're just not going to have anything to ride.
The wind goes light and northerly on Tuesday the 15th, which cleans it up, but the swell is still a measly 2ft. The energy reading is so low, you might as well be looking at a lake.
We get a bump in size on Wednesday the 16th afternoon, with the swell hitting 6ft from the SE, but the period is a terrible 7 seconds and the wind is howling at 25 mph from the SSE, cross-on and messy. It's got moderate energy (309), but it's completely blown out. Thursday and Friday the 17th and 18th have a better 10-second period and swell around 4ft to 5ft, but the cross-shore winds just chop it up. The energy is moderate (363 to 457) but the quality is junk.
Saturday the 19th is your best and really only shot. The swell is 4ft from the ESE with an 11-second period and moderate energy (333). The wind is light from the north, making for the cleanest conditions we'll see. It's still marginal, but you might grab a couple of grovelers if you're desperate.
From Sunday the 20th through the end of the month, the plug gets pulled. The swell drops off to 2ft or less, and the wind either turns onshore or gets too strong. There are a few mornings with light winds and clean conditions, like on the 26th, but the swell is weak (77) and short period. There's just no power in the water.
We're looking at a solid 10-day stretch with nothing worth paddling out for. For an exposed river mouth spot like The Spit, this kind of dry spell is just part of the deal. You'll have to wait for the next storm to send us something with some life.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Tue morning, min 15°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNE on Mon night, fresh winds from the S by Tue night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly 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 SSW by Fri night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | NE 6 | SSE 4 | SE 8 | SE 10 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SSE 9 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
53 | 46 | 33 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 17 | 31 | 26 | 335 | 573 | 1563 | 459 | 307 | 830 | 327 | 203 | 229 | 242 | 133 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:43PM1.36m | 10:12AM1.40m | 10:16PM1.23m | 10:52AM1.36m | 10:50PM1.09m | 11:34AM1.31m | 11:26PM0.97m | 12:22PM1.26m | 00:11AM0.86m | 1:19PM1.21m | 1:14AM0.78m | 2:28PM1.20m | 2:47AM0.75m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:37PM0.20m | 3:51AM0.14m | 4:20PM0.29m | 4:22AM0.19m | 5:05PM0.38m | 4:54AM0.25m | 5:57PM0.48m | 5:30AM0.32m | 7:03PM0.55m | 6:13AM0.39m | 8:30PM0.57m | 7:11AM0.45m | 9:59PM0.53m | ||||||||
5:47 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | |
— | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 21 | 20 | 18 |
Feels °C | 14 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | SSE 10 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | E 13 | SE 10 | SE 10 | E 8 | SE 9 | SE 10 | E 14 | SE 9 | SE 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 |
17 | 11 | 33 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 17 | 31 | 20 | 4 | 573 | 408 | 1 | 307 | 257 | 4 | 203 | 229 | 242 | 133 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 13 | E 8 | SE 10 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | E 14 | — | — | — | — | NE 16 | E 12 | E 12 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 |
3 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 11 | 4 | 4 | 4 | — | — | — | — | 10 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 21 | E 13 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SE 7 | E 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 |
17 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | NE 4 | NW 2 | SSE 4 | SE 8 | SSE 6 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | S 3 | SSE 9 | SE 10 | — | — | — | — |
53 | 46 | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 1 | 26 | 335 | 120 | 1563 | 459 | 6 | 830 | 327 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 28 | 28 | 17 | 28 | 176 | 18 | 43 | 149 | 66 | 176 | 1391 | 22 | 143 | 348 | 22 | 24 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 288 | 0 |
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.










