Surf Forecasts:
Thirroul surf forecast from 14 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 7s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 7s period, S swell with 255 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 14 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 7s 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 Friday (Aug 14) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Thirroul in the next 16 days are 1.6m 7s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Friday (Aug 21) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Fri 14th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Sat 15th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thirroul over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty. We’ve got a bit of a waiting game on our hands at Thirroul. The water temp is sitting at 18°, so right on average for the time of year. The next week or so is mostly flat or messy, with not much to get excited about.
Friday morning the 14th of August is your first chance: glassy conditions with a 4ft south swell, but the period is only 8 seconds, so the energy is weak (189). It’s surfable, but nothing special. The 20th and 21st offer clean windows with small E swell around 4-4ft and light offshore breezes, but the energy is still low (124-138).
The real standout is Sunday the 23rd of August. The early morning glass is gone, but a solid 12ft S swell with a 10-second period rolls in. The combined energy is a massive 4093. The wind is cross-shore at 12 mph from the SSW, so it’ll be lumpy, but for experienced surfers, this is the best size of the period. Too big for beginners.
Then, mark Thursday the 27th of August. The morning has a massive 18ft S swell with a very long 13-second period. The energy reading is a staggering 14424 – that’s groundswell of the highest order. This is for experts only, and the cross-shore wind at 12 mph will keep it from being perfect. The long period is best on a reef or point, so at Thirroul it might close out or get tricky.
The 28th and 29th still have solid swell, around 7ft to 10ft, but cross-onshore winds make it choppy. Not recommended.
Best call: Sunday the 23rd for power, and Thursday the 27th for serious groundswell. Both are for the experienced crew.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri morning, min 11°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Mon morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue morning, min 12°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 9 | S 7 | S 7 | S 6 | SE 7 | SE 6 | S 10 | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | S 11 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | ESE 9 | ESE 6 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
142 | 84 | 143 | 225 | 225 | 84 | 214 | 136 | 117 | 83 | 100 | 91 | 66 | 59 | 78 | 104 | 92 | 72 | 138 | 139 | 93 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross | cross-on | off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:21PM1.63m | 10:01AM1.32m | 10:04PM1.51m | 10:42AM1.34m | 10:47PM1.35m | 11:24AM1.34m | 11:31PM1.20m | 12:07PM1.32m | 00:18AM1.05m | 12:56PM1.29m | 1:14AM0.93m | 1:51PM1.26m | 2:26AM0.86m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:03PM0.20m | 3:53AM0.03m | 3:52PM0.23m | 4:29AM0.10m | 4:42PM0.28m | 5:04AM0.20m | 5:34PM0.35m | 5:39AM0.29m | 6:30PM0.42m | 6:15AM0.39m | 7:35PM0.47m | 6:58AM0.47m | 8:49PM0.50m | ||||||||
6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | |
— | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | |
mm | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | 3 | — | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 13 |
Feels °C | 15 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 9 | ENE 9 | SSE 18 | S 6 | SSE 18 | S 9 | S 10 | ESE 7 | S 9 | S 8 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 |
142 | 84 | 143 | 17 | 65 | 84 | 61 | 54 | 117 | 83 | 55 | 34 | 66 | 57 | 78 | 104 | 85 | 72 | 138 | 139 | 93 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | SSE 19 | ENE 9 | S 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | E 10 | S 9 | ENE 9 | ESE 10 | S 11 | S 10 | ESE 12 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | — | — | — |
18 | 18 | 17 | 37 | 17 | 28 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 81 | 8 | 10 | 56 | 35 | 75 | 82 | 92 | 41 | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | SE 9 | SE 8 | S 14 | SSE 18 | ENE 10 | SSE 18 | SSE 17 | SSW 14 | ENE 9 | E 10 | SE 9 | ESE 13 | S 10 | S 8 | — | — | — | — | — |
29 | 24 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 60 | 20 | 31 | 28 | 36 | 17 | 7 | 14 | 59 | 28 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | S 7 | S 7 | ESE 4 | SE 7 | SE 6 | SE 6 | — | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 2 |
— | — | — | 225 | 225 | 16 | 214 | 136 | 91 | — | 100 | 91 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 130 | 2 | 67 | 48 | 2 | 48 | 48 | 5 | 11 | 415 | 11 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 201 | 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.











