Surf Forecasts:
Thirroul surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 11s period, ESE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 9s period, SSE swell with 177 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 12s period with ESE 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 18) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 7s. 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 1.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 2s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 20) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thirroul over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, mates, Rusty here again, but in feet and Fahrenheit for those who think that way. The water at Thirroul is about 64°F, which is right on the money for this time of year.
We’re in a flat spell for a while. From Tuesday the 18th of August through the end of the month, it’s a long gap of small, weak surf. The swell is tiny, mostly 2 to 3 feet, with short periods of 4 to 8 seconds. The combined energy is in the low two-digit to three-digit range, which is weak. The wind is mostly cross or cross-on, so it’s not clean. A few mornings look glassy or clean, but the swell just isn’t there. Thursday the 20th and Friday the 21st have a small, clean window, but it’s only 2 to 2 feet – a skeg-dragger at best.
The one to circle on the calendar is that last weekend. Friday afternoon the 28th of August, the swell comes up to 5 feet from the south (9-second period), with glassy conditions. The combined energy jumps to 549 (moderate), and the setup looks good for Thirroul. The south direction matches the optimum SE swell direction.
The real standout is Saturday morning the 29th. Swell is 6 feet from the SSE (9 seconds), with clean offshore wind from the west at 15 km/h (about 9 mph). The combined energy is 599 (moderate), and the forecast says very good surf. This is the session to aim for. It’s a bit big for beginners, but fine for most. Crowds are possible, but not a given.
Then things get wild. From Sunday the 30th into early September, the swell jumps to 8 feet, 10 feet, even 16 feet, with combined energy in the thousands. But the wind is onshore, strong, and messy. That’s for the kites, not the paddle surfers.
So, wait for that Saturday morning on the 29th. That’s your best shot.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Thu morning, min 12°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Warm (max 20°C on Fri morning, min 11°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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) | E 6 | ESE 14 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | SE 9 | ESE 8 | E 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | SSE 4 | S 8 | SSE 7 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 79 | 61 | 102 | 82 | 74 | 81 | 37 | 49 | 39 | 36 | 26 | 14 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 127 | 66 | 113 | 120 | 90 | 89 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | on | off | glassy | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 12:07PM1.32m | 00:18AM1.05m | 12:56PM1.29m | 1:14AM0.93m | 1:51PM1.26m | 2:26AM0.86m | 2:55PM1.25m | 3:47AM0.84m | 4:00PM1.27m | 4:57AM0.87m | 4:57PM1.32m | 5:49AM0.92m | 5:45PM1.38m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:30PM0.42m | 6:15AM0.39m | 7:35PM0.47m | 6:58AM0.47m | 8:49PM0.50m | 7:53AM0.53m | 10:06PM0.48m | 9:01AM0.55m | 11:09PM0.43m | 10:09AM0.54m | 11:58PM0.37m | 11:07AM0.49m | 00:37AM0.30m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | | | | | | |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — |
 | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 |
Temp °C | 17 | 16 | 14 | 18 | 17 | 13 | 22 | 20 | 17 | 20 | 17 | 14 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 21 | 18 | 14 |
Feels °C | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 19 | 18 | 15 | 19 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 20 | 17 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | E 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | S 8 | SSE 7 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 |
| kJ | 60 | 53 | 60 | 54 | 42 | 24 | 21 | 47 | 39 | 36 | 26 | 14 | 9 | 9 | 5 | 127 | 53 | 113 | 120 | 90 | 89 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 10 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | SE 9 | ESE 8 | E 10 | S 12 | S 11 | SE 7 | S 4 | S 9 | S 8 | S 9 | SSE 15 | S 11 | NE 4 | NE 8 | ENE 9 | NE 9 |
| kJ | 55 | 35 | 102 | 82 | 74 | 81 | 37 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 43 | 66 | 11 | 15 | 30 | 20 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 10 | ESE 14 | S 10 | S 8 | S 8 | E 9 | E 11 | S 13 | E 10 | E 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 4 | E 9 | S 20 | ENE 6 | — | NE 8 | NE 4 | S 16 | ENE 5 |
| kJ | 11 | 61 | 29 | 12 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 4 | — | 11 | 3 | 5 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | — | E 8 | — | NE 3 | NNW 2 | NNW 2 | NE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 4 | SSE 4 | — | NE 9 | NE 4 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 79 | — | 72 | — | 5 | 1 | 1 | 49 | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 12 | — | 20 | 17 | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 6 | 38 | 0 | 2 | 436 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 155 | 353 | 328 | 7 | 0 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 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.
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