Surf Forecasts:
Thirroul surf forecast from 29 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 9s period, SE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 10s period, SE swell with 216 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 29 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 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 Saturday (Aug 29) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Thirroul in the next 16 days are 1.1m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 05) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thirroul over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Thirroul.
First thing you need to know – the water temp is sitting at 64°, which is right around average for this time of year. No surprises there.
Right now, we’re looking at a bit of a slow start. The first surf worth mentioning is Saturday morning, the 29th of August. It’s small, around 4ft from the SSE, with a period of 9 seconds. The wind is cross-onal from the SSE at 3 mph, so it’s a little messy. Combined energy is weak (358). It’s surfable but nothing to write home about. Saturday afternoon is even smaller with onshore wind, so don’t bother.
Sunday the 30th is the first real standout. Early morning you’ll find 3ft of S swell, period 9 seconds, and the wind is *glass* – dead calm. That’s going to be clean as a whistle. Energy is light (222), but for a small wave session, it’ll be fun. Afternoon turns onshore and drops off, so get out early.
Monday the 31st through to Wednesday the 2nd of September is all small stuff: 2ft to 3ft, mostly from the south, with light cross-offshore winds in the mornings. It’s clean but tiny. Combined energy stays under 200. Not worth planning your day around, but if you’re desperate for a paddle, the mornings are your best bet.
Thursday the 3rd of September morning sees a 1ft SSE swell with a 12 mph WNW offshore wind. That’s clean but barely breaking. Energy is very low (76). Friday the 4th and Saturday the 5th are similar – small, clean mornings but nothing with any punch.
Now, Sunday the 6th of September morning – 3ft of S swell, period only 7 seconds, but glassy wind again. It’s weak (82 energy), but if you want a glassy, small-wave session, it’s there.
Here’s the big one. Monday the 7th of September morning – swell jumps to 5ft from the south, period 9 seconds, and we’ve got a 19 mph offshore from the west. That’s clean, but the wind is strong. Combined energy is moderate (301). Tuesday the 8th is even bigger: 5ft in the morning and 6ft in the afternoon from the south, with a 12-second period. That afternoon swell has *very strong* energy (1116). The wind is cross-offshore, but at 25 mph, it’s going to be a battle to paddle into. This is expert territory. The 6ft is over 5ft, so beginners beware.
Wednesday the 9th and Thursday the 10th of September – solid 6ft to 7ft south swell, periods 11-12 seconds, but the wind is cross or onshore, making it choppy. Energy is very strong (852-1124). These are expert-only waves if you can handle the wind.
Then Friday the 11th of September – a nice reset. Morning brings 4ft of SE groundswell, period 12 seconds, with glassy wind. Energy is moderate (402). This is a proper standout for the intermediate crew. Clean, long-period lines. The afternoon goes onshore, so again, early session.
After that, it’s back to small stuff through to the 13th of September: 1ft to 2ft, clean mornings but very weak energy.
Overall, the best on offer is Sunday morning the 30th of August for the glassy, clean small waves, and Friday morning the 11th of September for the best mix of size, period, and glassy conditions. The 7th to 9th of September has real size but strong winds, so only for the experienced crew.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Mon morning, min 10°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Wed morning, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 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) | SSE 9 | SE 10 | SE 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 9 | S 9 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 12 | SSE 10 | S 9 | SSE 11 | NE 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
226 | 216 | 131 | 126 | 126 | 164 | 103 | 101 | 136 | 146 | 143 | 98 | 70 | 71 | 49 | 29 | 77 | 32 | 87 | 42 | 33 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | off | glassy | on | off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross | off | cross-off | cross | off |
High Tide | 8:52PM1.50m | 9:26AM1.33m | 9:30PM1.43m | 10:03AM1.38m | 10:11PM1.34m | 10:43AM1.41m | 10:56PM1.23m | 11:28AM1.41m | 11:50PM1.11m | 12:22PM1.41m | 00:56AM1.01m | 1:27PM1.40m | 2:19AM0.94m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:40PM0.25m | 3:16AM0.11m | 3:22PM0.25m | 3:48AM0.13m | 4:08PM0.25m | 4:22AM0.18m | 4:58PM0.28m | 5:01AM0.25m | 5:55PM0.31m | 5:45AM0.32m | 7:04PM0.34m | 6:40AM0.40m | 8:25PM0.34m | ||||||||
6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | |
— | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 15 | 12 | 18 | 16 | 13 | 21 | 18 | 14 | 25 | 24 | 17 | 26 | 26 | 19 | 25 | 23 | 15 | 21 | 21 | 17 |
Feels °C | 14 | 13 | 11 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 21 | 21 | 14 | 23 | 23 | 16 | 21 | 20 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 9 | SE 10 | SE 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 9 | S 9 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 12 | SSE 5 | S 9 | S 7 | NE 6 |
226 | 216 | 131 | 126 | 126 | 164 | 103 | 101 | 136 | 146 | 143 | 98 | 70 | 71 | 49 | 29 | 77 | 13 | 87 | 14 | 33 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | S 8 | S 9 | SE 9 | ENE 8 | SSE 17 | SSE 15 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 11 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | S 9 |
107 | 84 | 76 | 70 | 24 | 58 | 43 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 22 | 23 | 11 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 31 | 28 | 42 | 23 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | SSE 16 | ENE 3 | NNE 4 | — | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | NE 5 | NNE 5 | SSE 12 | NNE 6 | SSE 13 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | SSE 11 |
25 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 21 | 14 | 17 | 25 | 1 | 1 | — | 20 | 20 | 4 | 2 | 29 | 3 | 32 | 19 | 19 | 23 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 3 | NE 4 | NNE 4 | NE 5 | NNW 2 | NNW 2 | — | NW 2 | WNW 2 | S 5 | — | NNW 3 | NE 4 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 3 | 6 | 17 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 14 | — | 1 | 16 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 5 | 36 | 0 | 0 | 98 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 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.











