Surf Forecasts:
Thirroul surf forecast from 25 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 10s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 10s period, SSE swell with 959 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 25 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 8s 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 Tuesday (Aug 25) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m 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 2.3m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) 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 0.4m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Tue 25th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thirroul over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again, looking at the same stretch for Thirroul. It's a beach and reef break that catches swell best from the SE. Water temp is 64°F, about normal for the season.
We've got a bit of a wait. Tuesday afternoon the 25th brings the first surf, with a 5ft NE swell at 7 seconds. The combined energy is moderate (419), and with a cross-offshore wind from the N, it’s clean. The short period means it'll be a bit soft.
Wednesday the 26th and Thursday the 27th are mostly poor. Thursday afternoon does show a 5ft S swell at 9 seconds with offshore ESE wind, but conditions are only marginal.
Friday the 28th morning is the first good sign. A 5ft SSE swell at 11 seconds rolls in, giving good energy (626) and better shaped waves. The wind is light cross-shore from the SSW. This is a proper groundswell – longer period, better shape, and those longer waits between sets make the paddle out easier. It's a strong session, but wind isn't glassy.
Saturday the 29th morning is the highlight of the first week. Glassy, zero wind, with a 4ft SSE swell at 8 seconds. The energy is moderate (448), but a perfectly clean surface makes it the best looking window.
The second week gets quiet. Sunday the 30th is only marginal.
Then Tuesday the 1st of September is the real secret session. Both morning and afternoon have clean, offshore wind (NW and W) with a 3ft SSE swell at 11 seconds. The combined energy is moderate (222-235). It's not big, but the offshore wind and long period will produce clean, lined-up waves. This is the best quality of the whole outlook, especially if you want a smooth, uncrowded experience.
Wednesday the 2nd drops to 1ft and it stays tiny and poor until the 7th of September.
On Monday the 7th of September, a strong offshore WNW wind at 19 mph hits a 4ft SE swell at 10 seconds. The wind is fresh and clean, but it'll be a wild, windy one for experts only.
The last days are small again, with the 8th showing a 6ft SSE swell but with a short 6-second period and poor quality.
The absolute best on offer: Saturday the 29th morning for the glassy, calm conditions. But for actual wave shape and quality, Tuesday the 1st of September with the long-period groundswell and offshore wind is the hidden winner. If you want perfect lines, go the 1st. If you want a bit more size and no wind, the 29th morning is your best bet.
Crowds here can get busy, but mid-week days like the 1st will be much quieter.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue afternoon, min 10°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon morning, min 11°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | ||||||||||||||
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) | NE 7 | NE 8 | NE 8 | S 6 | S 8 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SE 10 | S 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 17 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
253 | 119 | 86 | 190 | 458 | 494 | 311 | 215 | 521 | 373 | 312 | 212 | 216 | 137 | 461 | 252 | 321 | 225 | 227 | 214 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:26PM1.45m | 7:08AM1.06m | 7:04PM1.50m | 7:42AM1.13m | 7:41PM1.53m | 8:16AM1.21m | 8:16PM1.53m | 8:51AM1.27m | 8:52PM1.50m | 9:26AM1.33m | 9:30PM1.43m | 10:03AM1.38m | 10:11PM1.34m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:12AM0.23m | 12:39PM0.37m | 1:44AM0.17m | 1:19PM0.32m | 2:15AM0.13m | 1:59PM0.28m | 2:45AM0.11m | 2:40PM0.25m | 3:16AM0.11m | 3:22PM0.25m | 3:48AM0.13m | 4:08PM0.25m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | |
5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | |
mm | 5 | 6 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 11 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 18 | 17 | 13 |
Feels °C | 15 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 14 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | NE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | SSE 8 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 |
126 | 119 | 86 | 84 | 341 | 494 | 311 | 215 | 521 | 373 | 312 | 212 | 216 | 137 | 283 | 252 | 86 | 225 | 227 | 214 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 9 | S 11 | — | NE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | S 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 |
15 | 6 | 9 | — | 69 | 44 | 42 | 45 | 39 | 26 | 24 | 208 | 182 | 102 | 31 | 16 | 321 | 52 | 16 | 16 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 16 | SSE 16 | S 16 | — | — | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 11 | — | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | — | SSE 19 | S 12 | ENE 10 | SSE 16 | E 12 |
25 | 25 | 5 | — | — | 22 | 19 | 63 | 66 | 23 | — | 28 | 28 | 31 | — | 69 | 71 | 18 | 27 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | — | S 5 | S 6 | S 8 | — | — | — | — | S 4 | — | — | — | — | S 9 | — | — | — | — | NE 4 |
253 | — | 28 | 190 | 458 | — | — | — | — | 10 | — | — | — | — | 461 | — | — | — | — | 8 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 11 | 11 | 5 | 5 | 94 | 0 | 2 | 39 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 94 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Illawarra | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.











