Surf Forecasts:
Thirroul surf forecast from 28 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 9s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 9s period, SSE swell with 266 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 29 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 9s period with SSE 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 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s. 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 9s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) 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 0.9m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thirroul over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty, and I’ve been watching the charts for the next couple of weeks. Let’s be real here – it’s a bit of a slow start, so don’t bother paddling out just yet. The first real surf worth talking about doesn’t show up until Monday the 31st of August, so you’ve got a few days of flat or pretty ordinary conditions to sit through before that.
Alright, let’s get into it. The standout for the whole run is shaping up to be Thursday the 10th of September at Thirroul. That morning, we’re looking at a solid 5ft swell from the SSE, with a long period of 12 seconds – that’s proper groundswell energy, and it’s going to wrap into the beach and reef setup nicely. The wind is light and cross-offshore from the west, which means the faces will be clean and lined up. Combined wave energy is sitting at 540 (moderate to strong), so there’s some real grunt in the water. This is your best chance for a quality session, but keep in mind that with a long period swell like this, the sets might be a bit spread out, and it can break a little straight on the beach – so work the reef sections if you can. The water temperature is 64°, which is about normal for this time of year, so no complaints there.
Before that, Monday the 31st of August morning is a decent little warm-up. Thirroul will have 3ft from the south, with a short period of 8 seconds, so the waves will be a bit weaker and more frequent. The wind is light and cross-offshore from the north, keeping it clean. The energy is 228 (moderate), and while it’s not big, it’s surfable and should be fun. Just be aware that crowds can pop up at Thirroul sometimes, so get in early.
Tuesday the 1st of September morning is similar – 3ft from the south with an 11-second period, which is a touch longer for better shape. Cross-offshore wind from the north again, clean conditions, and energy at 214 (moderate). Solid, but nothing to write home about.
Now, Saturday the 12th of September morning is another standout. Thirroul gets a 6ft swell from the SSE, with a 10-second period and light cross-offshore wind from the north. The combined energy jumps to 757 (strong), so there’s a lot of power in the water. That’s getting into the territory where it’s more for experienced surfers – over 8ft and it’s expert-only, but 6ft is still a fun, punchy size for intermediates who know what they’re doing. The wind is light, so it’ll be clean, but again, long period swells can straighten out at the beach, so look for the reef.
Most of the other days are either too small, too windy, or just ordinary. There’s a gap from the 1st of September afternoon through to the 7th of September where the surf is mostly under 2ft or blown out, so don’t expect much. The second week is a bit of a mixed bag, but the 10th and 12th are the ones to pencil in.
Overall, the near-term stuff is reliable, but the long-range standouts like the 10th and 12th are promising but a little less certain at this stage. Keep an eye on the wind shifts.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Mon morning, min 10°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Thu morning, min 12°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | ||||||||||||||
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 | SE 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 9 | S 10 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
261 | 211 | 211 | 131 | 99 | 127 | 160 | 103 | 103 | 145 | 149 | 146 | 100 | 68 | 68 | 50 | 47 | 29 | 26 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | on | off | glassy | on | off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:51AM1.27m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:45AM0.11m | 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 | |||||||
— | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 17 | 16 | 12 | 20 | 18 | 14 | 25 | 23 | 17 | 26 | 26 | 19 | 27 | 25 | 16 |
Feels °C | 12 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 21 | 21 | 15 | 22 | 23 | 17 | 22 | 21 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 9 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 9 | S 10 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 |
261 | 211 | 211 | 131 | 99 | 127 | 160 | 103 | 103 | 145 | 149 | 146 | 100 | 68 | 68 | 50 | 47 | 29 | 17 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 8 | S 9 | S 8 | S 9 | SE 9 | ENE 9 | SSE 17 | SSE 15 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 11 | NE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | SSE 12 |
17 | 146 | 74 | 74 | 68 | 25 | 100 | 44 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 22 | 19 | 11 | 34 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 26 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | SSE 16 | ENE 3 | NE 3 | — | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 5 | ENE 10 |
34 | 30 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 21 | 14 | 17 | 26 | 1 | 2 | — | 34 | 34 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 19 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 3 | NE 3 | — | NE 4 | NNE 6 | NNW 2 | NNE 5 | — | — | WSW 3 | SW 3 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 3 | — | 11 | 43 | 1 | 18 | — | — | 5 | 9 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 86 | 0 | 5 | 36 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 0 | 0 | 94 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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.











