
Surf Forecasts:
Wollongong North Beach surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 19 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 11s period, ENE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 11s period, ENE swell with 631 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 6s period with E swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Wollongong North Beach this week:
The surf forecast for Wollongong North Beach over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 6s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Wollongong North Beach in the next 16 days are 1.7m 11s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 8s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Wollongong North Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Wollongong North Beach.
First thing’s first – the water temp is sitting at 64°, which is about 1° warmer than normal for this time of year. Nothing wild, just a touch on the mild side, feels pretty average overall.
Honestly, the next few days are a bit of a write-off. Friday the 17th and Saturday the 18th are tiny and weak, with poor surf conditions. The energy is laughable, barely cracking 18 (combined energy) on Friday morning, and only nudging up to 41 by Saturday arvo. We’re looking at cross-off winds and small, short-period east swell around 2 ft to 2 ft. Not worth paddling out for.
The first real glimmer of hope comes in on Sunday the 19th. That morning is your standout. The swell jumps to 6 ft from the ENE, period around 11 seconds – that’s proper groundswell energy. The combined energy hits 643, which is solid moderate strength. Winds are light from the south, keeping it cross-off and clean. For an advanced crew, this is the best on offer. Just be aware that with that longer period, it can sometimes make beach breaks a bit tricky – but it’s a good sign for shape and power. Crowds are possible here, so don’t expect to have it to yourself.
Sunday afternoon drops off a bit with a cross breeze and marginal conditions, and Monday the 20th stays around 5 ft but with onshore winds kicking in later, spoiling it.
Tuesday the 21st is worth a mention for the morning session. The swell drops to 4 ft, but the wind goes glassy – zero knots from the NW. That’s as clean as it gets. The combined energy is 263, so it’s weaker than Sunday, but for a glassy paddle with clean lines, it’s a good call.
After that, the surf fades fast. From Wednesday the 22nd all the way through to the end of the month, we’re looking at tiny waves, mostly under 3 ft, with weak energy readings dropping into the double digits. The wind stays okay at times, but there’s just no push. A few days even show combined energy below 20 – that’s barely a ripple.
Around the 27th of July, we get a weird little spike of long-period swell from the SE with a 16-second period, but it’s only 1.0 ft. That’s not going to do anything for you. The energy is still pitiful.
Into the start of August, the 1st shows a little bump to 3 ft from the ESE but with a short 7-second period and moderate winds – still poor conditions.
So, to wrap it up: Sunday morning the 19th is your best bet – biggest swell, decent energy, and clean. Tuesday the 21st morning is a solid backup for the glassy conditions. After that, it’s a long stretch of flatness and small junk. The gap from the 22nd right through to the end of the month is a real dry spell.
Stay patient, and keep an eye on the forecasts – things can change.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun morning, min 11°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed morning, min 9°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | |||||||||||||||
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 5 | E 5 | E 7 | E 6 | E 6 | E 8 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
13 | 14 | 38 | 31 | 41 | 161 | 631 | 562 | 490 | 380 | 388 | 338 | 263 | 263 | 218 | 132 | 121 | 94 | 73 | 48 | 47 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | on | cross | glassy | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:36AM1.20m | 10:31PM1.62m | 11:24AM1.22m | 11:19PM1.47m | 12:12PM1.24m | 00:06AM1.30m | 1:02PM1.25m | 00:57AM1.14m | 1:53PM1.26m | 1:54AM1.01m | 2:46PM1.28m | 3:01AM0.92m | 3:41PM1.29m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:10PM0.28m | 5:13AM0.04m | 5:05PM0.34m | 5:54AM0.13m | 6:03PM0.40m | 6:34AM0.22m | 7:06PM0.46m | 7:14AM0.31m | 8:15PM0.49m | 7:57AM0.39m | 9:28PM0.50m | 8:45AM0.45m | 10:38PM0.47m | ||||||||
7:00 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | |
— | 5:05 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:08 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 18 | 17 | 13 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 19 | 17 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 12 |
Feels °C | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 15 | 14 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 5 | E 5 | E 7 | E 6 | E 6 | E 8 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 7 |
13 | 14 | 38 | 31 | 41 | 161 | 631 | 562 | 490 | 380 | 388 | 338 | 263 | 263 | 218 | 132 | 121 | 94 | 73 | 48 | 94 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 8 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 8 | S 17 | S 16 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 | S 10 | — | S 16 | ENE 9 |
13 | 21 | 73 | 46 | 27 | 22 | 143 | 126 | 110 | 139 | 93 | 57 | 54 | 31 | 30 | 17 | 20 | 8 | — | 5 | 47 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | ENE 8 | S 21 | SSE 21 | SSE 20 | SSE 18 | SE 17 | SE 16 | SE 16 | SSE 15 | SE 15 | SE 14 | SSE 14 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 13 | S 12 | S 12 | — | — | S 11 |
5 | 11 | 9 | 42 | 38 | 64 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 23 | 8 | 8 | 20 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 3 | — | — | 10 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 5 | S 5 | — | S 3 | S 3 | SSW 2 | — | — | — | — | NE 3 | N 4 | — | — | — | WNW 3 | — | W 3 | S 6 | S 8 | — |
57 | 32 | — | 6 | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 13 | — | — | — | 1 | — | 5 | 146 | 524 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 36 | 17 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 50 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Illawarra | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Wollongong North Beach Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Wollongong North Beach provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Wollongong North Beach can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Wollongong North Beach 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 (Wollongong North Beach) 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 Wollongong North Beach 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 Wollongong North Beach, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Illawarra, consider staying in Wollongong which is 3 km (2 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 9 km (6 miles) away, Engadine, Cronulla and Caringbah.










