
Surf Forecasts:
Thirroul surf forecast from 13 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 17 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 9s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, S swell with 2,541 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 6s period with NE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Thirroul this week:
The surf forecast for Thirroul over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 14) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 0.7m and 10s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Thirroul 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-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 19) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Mon 14th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Thu 17th Sep) | 6ft (1.8m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thirroul over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty, and I’ve been reading the tea leaves for your local spot at Thirroul. This beach and reef setup is taking its time to wake up, but there’s a couple of moments worth a look. Let’s break it down.
Overall Pattern:
The next 16 days start quiet and flat, with a long gap from now (Sunday 13th September) all the way to Wednesday 16th September before any real size shows. That big swell comes in rough, then we get a clean window on Friday 18th September. After that, it’s mostly small and messy.
Sunday 13th September – Monday 14th September:
Sunday afternoon is a dud. Swell is 2ft from the SSE at a weak 10 seconds, cross-shore wind from the NE at 25 km/h, combined energy low (168). Water temp is 64°, about normal. Monday morning has 2ft from the S, 11-second period, with a light NNW breeze making it clean – but energy is only 144. Surfable but tiny. Rest of Monday and Tuesday are flat and choppy.
Wednesday 16th September – Thursday 17th September:
Size jumps Wednesday morning to 10ft from the S, 10-second period, cross-shore wind from the SSW at 30 km/h – energy is strong (1708). That’s expert-only and messy. Thursday morning still 10ft from the S, 20 km/h wind, energy peaks at 2801. The conditions are lumpy and marginal. Afternoon drops to 7ft but cross-onshore. This is kite-surf territory.
Friday 18th September – The Standout:
Friday morning: glassy, NNW breeze at 5 km/h, and 5ft from the SSE with a 9-second period. Combined energy is moderate (345). That’s clean, manageable for intermediates, and the glassy wind will give you smooth lines off the reef. This is your best window. Afternoon gets a light cross-onshore, but morning is the call.
Saturday 19th September – Sunday 20th September:
Tiny drop to 1.0ft from the SSE on Saturday, but with a very long 17-second period – that’s a groundswell, weak at 167 energy. Glassy morning, but too small. Sunday is 0.7ft – forget it.
Monday 21st September – Tuesday 22nd September:
Monday morning brings 8ft from the S, 9-second period, cross-onshore – energy strong (1860). Messy. Tuesday morning improves: 4ft from the S, 9-second period, clean cross-offshore wind from the N at 15 km/h, 296 energy. That’s a good, rideable option for the reef.
Wednesday 23rd September onward:
From Wednesday it’s mostly poor – small swell (2ft to 4ft) with onshore winds, low energy (145–225). Thursday has a 5ft NE pulse but 6-second period and cross-shore – messy. Friday and Saturday are clean but under 3ft. Sunday 27th September brings 5ft to 6ft NE swell, cross-onshore and marginal. The last days fade to small and choppy.
The One to Circle:
If you can get out Friday 18th September morning, that’s your session at Thirroul. Glassy, 5ft SSE swell, moderate energy – clean and fun for intermediates. Tuesday 22nd September morning is a solid backup.
Cheers,
Rusty
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 25°C on Mon morning, min 9°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Sun afternoon, fresh winds from the S by Tue night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sat morning, min 8°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Wed afternoon, calm by Fri morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | ||||||||||||||
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 10 | NE 6 | S 11 | S 10 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NE 7 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | S 9 | SE 11 | SE 11 | S 9 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
106 | 162 | 85 | 56 | 52 | 47 | 30 | 1215 | 1702 | 2252 | 2340 | 1662 | 739 | 436 | 336 | 301 | 102 | 57 | 59 | 25 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | off | cross-off | cross | off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | off | glassy | cross-on | off | glassy | cross | off |
High Tide | 9:37PM1.35m | 9:59AM1.44m | 10:18PM1.22m | 10:37AM1.41m | 11:00PM1.09m | 11:17AM1.36m | 11:46PM0.98m | 12:02PM1.30m | 00:43AM0.90m | 12:58PM1.25m | 1:57AM0.85m | 2:06PM1.22m | 3:21AM0.85m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:42AM0.20m | 4:18PM0.23m | 4:14AM0.28m | 5:05PM0.29m | 4:47AM0.37m | 5:56PM0.37m | 5:23AM0.46m | 6:56PM0.43m | 6:08AM0.53m | 8:07PM0.47m | 7:08AM0.59m | 9:23PM0.47m | ||||||||
— | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | |
5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:49 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 17 | 25 | 24 | 20 | 22 | 19 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 10 | 22 | 19 | 16 | 26 | 24 | 19 |
Feels °C | 16 | 16 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 19 | 17 | 13 | 22 | 20 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | ENE 6 | NE 7 | S 10 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 12 | E 13 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 |
106 | 71 | 46 | 56 | 52 | 47 | 30 | 7 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 1129 | 739 | 436 | 336 | 301 | 102 | 55 | 37 | 25 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 13 | S 10 | S 11 | ENE 13 | SSE 10 | S 9 | S 9 | E 14 | E 14 | E 15 | — | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | SSE 17 | SE 8 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 9 |
17 | 106 | 85 | 17 | 31 | 15 | 14 | 4 | 4 | 4 | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 30 | 48 | 55 | 58 | 12 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 13 | E 13 | S 15 | E 12 | E 12 | E 13 | S 16 | — | — | — | S 19 | S 19 | — | S 18 | ESE 10 | SSE 16 | SSE 17 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 |
— | 13 | 13 | 5 | 12 | 3 | 3 | 5 | — | — | — | 7 | 7 | — | 6 | 11 | 53 | 57 | 59 | 25 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 5 | NE 6 | — | NE 6 | — | WSW 2 | SE 4 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | — | — | — | NE 3 | WNW 2 | WNW 2 | NE 3 | — |
45 | 162 | — | 45 | — | 1 | 20 | 1215 | 1702 | 2252 | 2340 | 1662 | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 112 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 0 | 2 | 102 | 86 | 907 | 658 | 118 | 39 | 48 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Illawarra | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Thirroul Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Thirroul provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Thirroul can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Thirroul 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 (Thirroul) 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 Thirroul 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.
Are you planning a holiday in Illawarra? If you are looking for accommodation near Thirroul, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Illawarra, consider staying in Wollongong which is 12 km (7 miles) away. Other places in and around Illawarra where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Port Kembla which is 19 km (12 miles) away, Engadine, Cronulla and Caringbah.










