Surf Forecasts:
Thirroul surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 12s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 12s period, S swell with 456 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 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 Monday (Aug 24) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 5s. 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 1.3m 12s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thirroul over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s check what’s cooking at Thirroul over the next couple weeks.
It’s a slow start, with tiny waves and onshore junk for the first few days. But there are a few windows that come good, especially late in the first week and into the second week.
Monday 24th August starts off small – 0.7m of S swell, 10-second period, light offshore wind, and the water temp is just about normal for this time of year. It’s clean, but it’s tiny. The afternoon gets messy with a NE wind. Tuesday is flat and forgettable. Wednesday is a washout – small, onshore, chop. Thursday 27th morning is the first real highlight: glassy conditions, 1.3m of S swell, moderate wave energy at 311. Clean and lined up. Friday morning keeps it going – 0.9m S swell with 9-second period, light offshore wind (286 energy). Saturday 29th morning is the pick of the first week: flat calm, 1.1m SSE swell, 10-second period, energy at 254. A proper clean dawn patrol. Then it drops off again – Sunday and Monday are small and onshore, nothing worth paddling for.
Tuesday 1st September is glassy but tiny – 0.5m of E swell with a long 11-second period, but barely rideable. The middle of the week stays small and clean but weak.
Here’s the big one: Saturday 5th September morning. The swell is 0.6m from the SE but with a very long 16-second period groundswell, and the wave energy is strong at 504. The wind is light offshore, the break is a beach and reef setup, and that long period will wrap in smooth. This is the standout session of the entire run. It’s over a week out, so lock it in with hope, but it’s looking like the best day on offer. The afternoon gets a cross-onshore breeze, but the morning by itself is gold.
After that, the surf goes small and quiet again. A few clean mornings but no real power.
So, for the next two weeks: Thursday and Friday mornings this week are solid, Saturday morning is even better, and next Saturday 5th September morning is the one to aim for.
– Rusty
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Wed morning. Warm (max 21°C on Mon morning, min 12°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri morning, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | ||||||||||||||
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 10 | S 10 | S 10 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SSE 6 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
158 | 90 | 67 | 223 | 51 | 105 | 162 | 143 | 134 | 412 | 234 | 161 | 314 | 125 | 331 | 197 | 214 | 175 | 133 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 5:49AM0.92m | 5:45PM1.38m | 6:31AM0.99m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:58PM0.37m | 11:07AM0.49m | 00:37AM0.30m | 11:56AM0.43m | 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 | ||||||
— | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 1 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 |
Temp °C | 14 | 21 | 19 | 16 | 20 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 16 |
Feels °C | 12 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 18 | 16 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | NE 6 | S 10 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 |
158 | 32 | 67 | 97 | 51 | 105 | 162 | 143 | 120 | 412 | 234 | 161 | 314 | 125 | 331 | 197 | 214 | 175 | 133 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | S 10 | S 18 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 11 | S 11 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | SSE 11 | ENE 8 | NE 4 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 |
8 | 90 | 6 | 46 | 26 | 25 | 13 | 9 | 2 | 56 | 56 | 40 | 70 | 115 | 45 | 9 | 24 | 28 | 53 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 18 | SSE 17 | E 13 | — | ENE 10 | SSE 16 | SE 16 | S 16 | — | S 15 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | — | ENE 8 | — | NE 8 | NE 4 | S 10 | NE 4 |
7 | 28 | 3 | — | 9 | 25 | 10 | 5 | — | 4 | 21 | 63 | — | 46 | — | 31 | 5 | 2 | 5 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 5 | NE 6 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NNW 3 | — | — | S 4 | SSE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 3 | NE 4 | NE 4 | NE 4 | — |
23 | 80 | 57 | 223 | 1 | — | — | 13 | 134 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 21 | 11 | 7 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 102 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 11 | 27 | 5 | 0 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 51 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 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.











