
Surf Forecasts:
Thirroul surf forecast from 23 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 13s period, SSE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 29 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, S swell with 1,361 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 24 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 9s period with S 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 (Jul 24) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 1.5m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s is also forecast. 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 3.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Wed 29th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thirroul over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk about Thirroul. First things first, the water’s sitting around 65°F which is pretty much standard for this time of year – nothing weird, just your usual winter temperature.
Right now, things are flat and ugly. Thursday morning the 23rd has a weak little 2.6ft ENE windswell with a cross-off breeze, but it’s messy and not worth paddling out for. That afternoon, same story – 2.3ft and still poor. You’ll want to sit these first couple of days out.
Friday the 24th morning shows some life. A clean 4.3ft south swell rolls in with a 9-second period and a light WSW cross-off. The energy’s moderate (312) and the waves will be clean enough for a fun session. The afternoon turns onshore though, so morning is the go.
Now, Saturday the 25th is your standout for the first week. Morning has a solid 4.3ft south swell, 10-second period, and a clean offshore from the WNW. That’s prime Thirroul – exposed, picks up the south swell, and the wind will groom it. The combined energy is moderate (389) and the waves will have shape. If you can get out early, it’ll be worth it. Saturday afternoon goes glassy – 3.3ft, 10-second south swell, zero wind. That’s a rare treat, even if the size drops a little. Crowds are possible, but with quality like that, you’ll deal with it.
Sunday the 26th morning is still good – 4.6ft, 11-second south swell, cross-off from the west, clean, energy at 461. That’s a nice long-period groundswell, so expect longer waits between sets but better shaped waves. Afternoon gets a cross-on breeze, so again morning wins.
Monday the 27th drops off – 3.0ft, short period, just ordinary. Tuesday the 28th is tiny and weak. Wednesday the 29th is a write-off: strong onshore wind, lumpy, and a weird 6.2ft south combo with 7 seconds – junk.
Thursday the 30th brings a big pulse – 8.2ft south swell, 9-second period, but the wind is cross and it’s messy. The combined energy is huge (1691) – that’s a lot of power, but the period is short and the wind is wrong. This is going to be a close-out for most, only for experts if you’re brave. Not a recommendation.
Friday the 31st through Saturday the 1st of August is small and onshore – poor. Sunday the 2nd morning goes glassy again but only 2.3ft – you could get a few ankle-snappers, but nothing exciting.
Then comes Monday the 3rd of August afternoon – that’s your second standout. A clean 6.6ft SSE swell, 8-second period, glassy conditions. The energy is moderate (457) and the wind is dead calm. That’s a solid session for intermediate surfers, but at 6.6ft it’s a bit big for beginners – maybe stick to the inside if you’re newer. The swell direction is south-southeast, which matches the optimum for Thirroul. This is a real treat after a long stretch of mediocrity
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat morning, min 6°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Thu afternoon, calm by Sat afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue morning, min 10°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 16 | S 16 | S 7 | S 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
94 | 73 | 304 | 282 | 191 | 876 | 367 | 202 | 307 | 457 | 308 | 183 | 133 | 136 | 57 | 35 | 21 | 24 | 5 | 309 | 898 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | off | off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | off | off | cross | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 3:41PM1.30m | 4:12AM0.87m | 4:35PM1.33m | 5:17AM0.88m | 5:25PM1.37m | 6:11AM0.91m | 6:11PM1.42m | 6:56AM0.95m | 6:53PM1.48m | 7:36AM0.99m | 7:32PM1.52m | 8:13AM1.04m | 8:08PM1.55m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:38PM0.47m | 9:39AM0.49m | 11:37PM0.42m | 10:35AM0.49m | 00:25AM0.36m | 11:28AM0.47m | 1:07AM0.30m | 12:15PM0.43m | 1:45AM0.24m | 12:58PM0.40m | 2:20AM0.20m | 1:39PM0.36m | 2:54AM0.16m | ||||||||
6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | |
— | 5:08 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:13 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 17 | 10 | 14 | 13 | 9 | 19 | 18 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 11 | 18 | 18 | 12 | 19 | 19 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 11 |
Feels °C | 12 | 11 | 4 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 16 | 16 | 8 | 14 | 13 | 8 | 15 | 15 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 6 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | SSE 12 | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | SSE 8 | NE 5 | S 8 | S 19 | SSE 16 |
94 | 73 | 304 | 282 | 191 | 876 | 367 | 202 | 307 | 457 | 308 | 183 | 133 | 136 | 57 | 35 | 21 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 25 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SSE 12 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | SE 15 | SE 16 | SSE 14 | SE 15 | SSE 16 | NE 5 | SE 13 | S 20 |
7 | 14 | 45 | 29 | 186 | 14 | 15 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 20 | 8 | 24 | 1 | 7 | 7 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | E 7 | NE 8 | — | S 19 | E 9 | — | E 8 | — | S 14 | SE 18 | NE 7 | E 8 | E 8 | S 17 | S 8 | S 16 | E 13 | — |
2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 18 | — | 7 | 2 | — | 1 | — | 4 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 3 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 2 | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | W 3 | — | WNW 3 | — | — | WSW 3 | WSW 3 | — | W 2 | — | — | — | N 3 | NNE 4 | NW 2 | WSW 3 | S 7 | S 8 |
1 | 6 | 4 | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | 3 | 2 | — | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 309 | 898 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 166 | 86 | 39 |
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.










