
Surf Forecasts:
Thirroul surf forecast from 9 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 10 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 9s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 16 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 15ft (4.5m), 10s period, SSE swell with 3,949 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 10 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 9s period with SE 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 10) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 13s. 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 4.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 16) at 7PM. 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 Sunday (Jul 12) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Fri 10th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Fri 10th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Thu 16th Jul) | 15ft (4.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thirroul over the next 16 days.
Alright, let’s talk about what’s cooking at Thirroul.
Honestly, the next week is pretty quiet. We’ve got some small, choppy bits and pieces, then a few days where the swell just disappears. The water’s about 65°, which is normal for winter.
The first real chance to get wet is Saturday morning, 11 July. It’s only 4ft from the SE, but with a light offshore from the NW, it’ll be clean. The energy is moderate (330). The afternoon drops to 3ft and the wind goes cross-shore, so it’s a short window.
Sunday 12 July has a clean 2ft from the ESE with a fresh offshore, but it’s just too weak (62). Then Monday and Tuesday are tiny – less than 1ft – and clean, but there’s nothing to surf. A few days of flatness.
The 15th brings a jump in swell, but it’s ugly. The wind is screaming from the south, and the swell hits 6ft, then 8ft, and by Thursday 16 July it’s a big 13ft to 15ft of SSE swell. The problem is the wind is cross or cross-on, making it lumpy and choppy. The energy is massive (2893 to 3860), but it’s a wind-blown mess. This would be more fun on a kite. The period is short too (7-10 seconds), so it’s just a jumbled-up wall.
Now, for the real deal. You want to be looking at Saturday 18 July and Sunday 19 July. Saturday morning, 18 July, at Thirroul (Thirroul) is going to be pumping. We’re talking a solid 13ft of ESE groundswell, a very long period of 12 seconds, and glassy conditions – dead calm. The energy is massive (6784). This is exceptional, expert-level surf. The swell direction is perfect for the SE optimum. It’s a reef and beach setup, so that long period will work the reef nicely, but the beach might be a bit shifty. Crowds sometimes, so it’s worth the paddle.
Sunday 19 July morning is the absolute top of the forecast: 15ft of SE swell, 12 seconds, with a light cross-offshore from the NNW. The energy is 7134. This is the best of the whole 16 days. The afternoon gets bigger at 16ft but the wind swings, so the morning is the session. Only for experts – over 8ft is serious.
After that, it backs off. Monday 20 July is still solid with 10ft dropping to 8ft, clean offshore winds, and good energy (1952 and 1490). Excellent for experienced surfers. Then the swell fades through the 21st and 22nd, with the wind turning onshore, and by the 23rd and 24th it’s back to small and cross-shore – mostly poor.
So, the first week is a dud. The second week builds into a massive, clean groundswell on the 18th and 19th. That’s your one true standout. Get on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat morning, min 9°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri afternoon, fresh winds from the W by Sun morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon morning, min 9°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Mon morning, fresh winds from the S by Wed morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thu 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | S 7 | S 12 | S 8 | S 11 | S 9 | S 19 | S 10 | S 7 | S 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
489 | 393 | 449 | 456 | 275 | 168 | 176 | 146 | 77 | 54 | 24 | 24 | 11 | 9 | 14 | 7 | 8 | 262 | 707 | 2575 | 2876 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 3:45AM1.05m | 4:24PM1.50m | 5:00AM1.03m | 5:22PM1.60m | 6:09AM1.05m | 6:18PM1.70m | 7:10AM1.09m | 7:12PM1.77m | 8:06AM1.12m | 8:05PM1.81m | 8:57AM1.15m | 8:55PM1.80m | 9:47AM1.18m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:01PM0.38m | 9:39AM0.30m | 11:11PM0.27m | 10:39AM0.31m | 00:15AM0.15m | 11:39AM0.29m | 1:13AM0.04m | 12:36PM0.27m | 2:07AM-0.03m | 1:31PM0.24m | 2:57AM-0.07m | 2:25PM0.23m | 3:45AM-0.07m | ||||||||
— | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | |
5:00 | — | — | 5:00 | — | — | 5:00 | — | — | 5:01 | — | — | 5:01 | — | — | 5:02 | — | — | 5:04 | — | 5:04 | |
mm | — | 3 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 8 | 1 |
Temp °C | 15 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 18 | 17 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 17 | 17 | 11 | 16 | 15 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
Feels °C | 12 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 15 | 14 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 13 | 13 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | S 7 | S 12 | S 8 | S 7 | S 9 | S 6 | S 10 | — | S 16 | — | S 15 |
489 | 393 | 449 | 456 | 275 | 168 | 93 | 146 | 77 | 54 | 24 | 24 | 11 | 9 | 14 | 3 | 8 | — | 5 | — | 17 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 10 | SE 13 | S 19 | S 21 | ESE 15 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 8 | ESE 9 | S 7 | S 11 | S 11 | — | S 8 | S 15 | — | — | — | — |
75 | 83 | 7 | 9 | 22 | 157 | 176 | 33 | 16 | 6 | 16 | 9 | 9 | 9 | — | 1 | 5 | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | S 16 | S 14 | S 22 | S 16 | S 15 | S 15 | S 15 | NE 5 | SSW 5 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 10 | S 19 | S 18 | — | — | — | — |
5 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 6 | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 3 | NNE 3 | N 4 | WSW 4 | W 4 | WSW 3 | NW 2 | — | WNW 3 | WSW 3 | — | SW 4 | S 7 | S 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 |
— | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 12 | 19 | 10 | 3 | 1 | — | 3 | 2 | — | 10 | 262 | 707 | 2575 | 2876 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 5 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 88 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 246 | 299 | 280 | 109 | 268 | 328 | 118 | 5 |
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.











