
Surf Forecasts:
Thirroul surf forecast from 29 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 30 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 10s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 30 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 10s period, S swell with 964 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 30 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 10s 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 Thursday (Jul 30) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.3m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 1.6m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 7s 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 Thursday (Jul 30) 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 0.8m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Thu 30th Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Thu 30th Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Thu 30th Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thirroul over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at the waves on the cards for the next couple of weeks.
Well, the surf is going to be a bit of a slow starter, but there’s a real gem hiding in the second week that’s got my heart pumping. The first few days are pretty average, but hang tight.
For the first recommendation, we’ll be heading to Thirroul. This is a beach and reef setup, and it’s exposed to the S/SE swells. The water temperature is sitting at 66°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you might get away with a slightly thinner suit.
We kick off properly on Thursday, 30 July. The morning will see a 5ft S swell pushing in, but the wind is cross, making it a bit of a gamble. The wave energy is moderate at 333, but the period is a short 9 seconds, so it’ll be a bit lumpy. Best to wait for the cleaner windows.
Friday, 31 July is a similar story. The morning brings a 6ft S swell with a 10-second period, giving us moderate to strong energy (658). The wind is cross, creating some chop, but it’s surfable. Not the best, but there’s something to ride.
Now, Saturday, 1 August is where it starts to get interesting. The morning session is a standout. The swell drops to 5ft from the SSE, still with a 10-second period, and the wind goes glassy. That’s a major positive. The energy is solid (408), and the conditions are going to be clean and smooth. This is a good window for an intermediate surfer.
Sunday, 2 August morning is also worth a paddle. We’ve got a 4ft SSE swell, but the period stretches to 11 seconds, which is a nice long groundswell. The wind is light cross-off from the NNW, keeping the faces clean. The crowd situation is ‘sometimes’ here, so you might have some company, but it’ll be worth it.
There’s a lull from Monday, 3 August through to Wednesday, 5 August morning. The swell drops right off, with tiny waves and poor conditions. The blank run is about 3 days, so don’t bother checking the charts.
Wednesday, 5 August morning is a good shout. The wind goes glassy again, and we get a 5ft S swell with a 10-second period. The energy is moderate (367), and it’ll be clean. This is a solid option for a mid-week session.
Thursday, 6 August morning sees a bigger 6ft S swell, but the period drops to a short 8 seconds. The energy is strong (769), but the short period and cross-on wind will make it choppy. This is more for the experienced guys who don’t mind a bit of a wrestling match.
The real standout, the one you’ve been waiting for, is on Saturday, 8 August morning. The wind is glassy, and we’ve got a 5ft SE swell with a 12-second period. That’s a very long period groundswell, and it’s going to wrap beautifully into the reef at Thirroul. The energy is strong (696), and the conditions are set to be excellent. This is the best on offer for the whole outlook. Get out there early, because the ‘sometimes’ crowds might show up for this one.
Another big day is Wednesday, 12 August morning. A 7ft S swell with a 10-second period and offshore wind from the North. The energy is very strong (896), and it’ll be clean. This is a solid expert-level wave.
Finally, Thursday, 13 August morning is a monster. A 10ft S swell, with a 9-second period, and offshore wind from the West. The energy is through the roof at 3035. This is a heavy, powerful wave. It’s only for experts, and the crowd might be sparse because it’s big. It’s a serious paddle, but for those who can handle it, it’s an absolute classic.
So, to sum it up: the first week is scrappy, but the second week has some real magic. Saturday 8 August morning is your best bet for a clean, long-period swell, and Thursday 13 August morning is for the big-wave crew.
Stay safe out there.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed morning, min 7°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Wed morning, light winds from the S by Thu morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Mon morning, min 8°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 13 | S 16 | S 8 | S 8 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | S 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
7 | 7 | 171 | 320 | 533 | 706 | 640 | 838 | 574 | 461 | 578 | 808 | 685 | 447 | 286 | 170 | 113 | 60 | 32 | 32 | 94 | |
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-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | off |
High Tide | 8:08PM1.55m | 8:49AM1.08m | 8:44PM1.56m | 9:25AM1.12m | 9:19PM1.53m | 10:01AM1.17m | 9:54PM1.48m | 10:38AM1.21m | 10:31PM1.41m | 11:18AM1.25m | 11:13PM1.31m | 12:03PM1.29m | 00:01AM1.20m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:39PM0.36m | 2:54AM0.16m | 2:18PM0.34m | 3:26AM0.14m | 2:57PM0.34m | 3:57AM0.13m | 3:38PM0.35m | 4:29AM0.14m | 4:22PM0.36m | 5:02AM0.16m | 5:11PM0.39m | 5:38AM0.20m | 6:07PM0.41m | ||||||||
6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | |
— | 5:13 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 16 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 18 | 17 | 13 | 20 | 20 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 9 |
Feels °C | 9 | 9 | 5 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 16 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 4 | SE 13 | S 8 | S 8 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | S 10 |
1 | 7 | 171 | 320 | 533 | 706 | 640 | 640 | 574 | 461 | 578 | 808 | 685 | 447 | 286 | 170 | 113 | 60 | 32 | 32 | 94 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 13 | S 16 | S 11 | NE 6 | NE 6 | — | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 8 | NE 7 | NE 7 | E 18 | E 17 | NE 5 | NE 5 | E 16 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 9 | SE 11 |
7 | 5 | 88 | 2 | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 13 | 3 | 5 | 13 | 5 | 8 | 20 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | E 8 | E 7 | E 12 | E 12 | — | — | — | E 12 | — | E 19 | E 18 | S 22 | E 17 | E 16 | E 16 | NE 8 | NE 5 | ESE 10 | S 5 | E 8 |
1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | 3 | — | 7 | 6 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 2 | 12 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 2 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | — | S 9 | — | — | S 10 | — | — | — | NE 4 | N 3 | NE 4 | NNE 5 | NW 2 | NE 4 | W 2 | WSW 3 | — | — |
1 | 19 | 5 | — | 380 | — | — | 838 | — | — | — | 10 | 1 | 10 | 33 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 656 | 348 | 5 | 5 | 67 | 0 | 5 | 86 | 0 | 5 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 94 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 268 | 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.










