Surf Forecasts:
Thirroul surf forecast from 27 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 9s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 11s period, SSE swell with 511 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 29 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 9s period with SSE 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 Saturday (Aug 29) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Thirroul in the next 16 days are 1.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 10AM. 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 Thursday (Sep 03) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thirroul over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s brewing for Thirroul over the next couple weeks.
We start off slow, but there’s a bit of juice. Friday the 28th morning has a clean 5 ft SSE swell with 11-second period, a light cross-shore breeze, and the water is sitting on about 64°F – pretty normal for this time of year. The combined energy is moderate at 597. It’s solid enough for a paddle, and crowds pop up sometimes, so get in early.
Saturday and Sunday drop off to 3 to 4 ft with shorter periods and cross-on winds making things bumpy. Not worth it.
Monday the 31st has a 3 ft S swell with a light offshore breeze in the morning – clean but small. Energy is 288. Not bad for a quick session.
Tuesday through Wednesday are under 3 ft with light winds but just not enough push. Thursday and Friday the 3rd and 4th are tiny – barely 1 ft. Don’t bother.
Saturday the 5th sees a glassy 3 ft S swell with an 8-second period and an offshore breeze. Energy is light at 128, but it’s clean and rideable.
Now, mark Monday the 7th on your calendar. Swell jumps to 12 ft from the south at 10 seconds, and the combined energy is a massive 3561 – that’s serious power. That size is for experienced surfers only. It’s a bit lumpy with cross-shore wind.
Tuesday the 8th still has 7 ft SSE swell with good energy at 1357, but wind is messy. Wednesday the 9th afternoon is the sleeper: only 2 ft but with a 18-second period – that’s an extremely long groundswell. The wind shifts offshore from the west, making Thirroul glassy and lined up. The energy is 332, but those long-period sets will stand up beautifully on the reef.
After that, from Thursday the 10th on, it’s small and choppy. End of story.
So, Friday 28th morning is the early pick – clean and solid. The big highlight is Monday 7th if you’re experienced enough for a big south swell. For something glassy and well-shaped, aim for Wednesday 9th afternoon.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun morning, min 11°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Wed morning, min 13°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | |||||||||||||||
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 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | SSE 10 | S 9 | SSE 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | SSE 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
511 | 446 | 261 | 241 | 181 | 131 | 123 | 203 | 275 | 140 | 166 | 103 | 158 | 149 | 102 | 71 | 48 | 31 | 19 | 18 | 23 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | on | off | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | off | off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 8:16PM1.53m | 8:51AM1.27m | 8:52PM1.50m | 9:26AM1.33m | 9:30PM1.43m | 10:03AM1.38m | 10:11PM1.34m | 10:43AM1.41m | 10:56PM1.23m | 11:28AM1.41m | 11:50PM1.11m | 12:22PM1.41m | 00:56AM1.01m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:59PM0.28m | 2:45AM0.11m | 2:40PM0.25m | 3:16AM0.11m | 3:22PM0.25m | 3:48AM0.13m | 4:08PM0.25m | 4:22AM0.18m | 4:58PM0.28m | 5:01AM0.25m | 5:55PM0.31m | 5:45AM0.32m | 7:04PM0.34m | ||||||||
6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | |
— | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 20 | 19 | 14 | 24 | 22 | 16 | 26 | 24 | 19 | 27 | 22 | 23 |
Feels °C | 14 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 20 | 19 | 14 | 23 | 23 | 17 | 21 | 17 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 11 | ENE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | SSE 10 | S 9 | SSE 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | ENE 10 | NE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 10 |
511 | 26 | 261 | 241 | 181 | 131 | 123 | 203 | 275 | 140 | 166 | 103 | 158 | 149 | 102 | 71 | 48 | 31 | 11 | 5 | 19 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | SSW 11 | NE 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 9 | SE 9 | ENE 9 | SSE 17 | SSE 15 | SSE 16 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | NE 4 | NE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 10 | SSE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | SSE 11 |
27 | 40 | 17 | 102 | 109 | 76 | 71 | 25 | 59 | 130 | 100 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 11 | 33 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 23 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | S 11 | S 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | SSE 15 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | NE 5 | NE 5 | SSE 10 | SSE 12 | NE 6 |
59 | 39 | 34 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 20 | 14 | 18 | 17 | 44 | 13 | 22 | 20 | 34 | 5 | 3 | 19 | 14 | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSE 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 2 | NNE 3 | NNE 4 | NE 5 | NNW 2 | NNW 3 | NNE 5 | NW 2 | WNW 3 | W 3 | — |
— | 446 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | 54 | 1 | 1 | 18 | 1 | 1 | 5 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 86 | 0 | 5 | 36 | 0 | 5 | 98 | 0 | 0 | 94 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Illawarra | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











