Surf Forecasts:
Wollongong North Beach surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 6s period, E swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 17 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 7s period, ESE swell with 144 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 6s period with SE 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 Tuesday (Aug 18) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 6s. 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 1.3m 7s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 8s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 15) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Wollongong North Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, it’s Rusty here.
Alright, I’ve waded through the forecast for Wollongong North Beach and the next couple of weeks are looking pretty damn lean. There’s a long stretch of poor to ordinary surf, and not a single day that’s going to get the heart racing. The first week is basically a bust – tiny, weak swells with cross and onshore winds chopping everything up. We get a little pulse on the 16th with 4ft of ESE swell, but the period’s only 6 seconds and the wind isn't helping, so it’s just a messy, weak effort.
Now, the one day that might be worth a look is the 19th. Morning has 2ft of east swell going completely glassy. It’s clean, but the waves are pretty weak and ordinary. The afternoon bumps up to 4ft with a bit more energy, but it’s the same story – short-period, small, and not much punch. That’s the highlight, and that’s saying something.
From the 20th through the 22nd, we’re back in the doldrums – poor conditions, small swell, and winds crossing all over the place. Water temp is pretty average for the season, no surprises there.
Then, on the 23rd and 24th, things look a bit cleaner with cross-off winds and east-northeast swell running 3ft to 4ft with a 9-10 second period. The energy picks up to a moderate level, and the surf will look tidier, but the guidance still says it’s marginal at best. The swell direction is ideal for this spot, but the size just isn’t there to make it work. And the tail end of the window, around the 27th, shows some long-period swell coming in, but it’s tiny – less than a foot – so don’t get excited.
Bottom line: there are no standouts here. The best bet is the 19th morning if you’re really jonesing, and even then it’s a scratchy, weak wave. You might find a cleaner option on the 23rd or 24th with the offshore winds, but it’s not going to be epic. It’s a tough run, but that’s how it goes sometimes. Stay patient.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu morning, min 9°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | ||||||||||||||
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 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 6 | SE 7 | SE 6 | SE 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
43 | 32 | 29 | 29 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 97 | 126 | 121 | 121 | 80 | 43 | 32 | 28 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | glassy |
High Tide | 8:36AM1.23m | 8:37PM1.72m | 9:19AM1.28m | 9:22PM1.63m | 10:01AM1.32m | 10:05PM1.51m | 10:42AM1.34m | 10:47PM1.35m | 11:24AM1.33m | 11:31PM1.19m | 12:08PM1.31m | 00:18AM1.05m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:34AM-0.04m | 2:14PM0.20m | 3:15AM-0.02m | 3:03PM0.20m | 3:53AM0.03m | 3:52PM0.23m | 4:29AM0.11m | 4:42PM0.28m | 5:04AM0.20m | 5:34PM0.35m | 5:39AM0.30m | 6:30PM0.42m | |||||||
— | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | — | 4 | — | 2 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
Temp °C | 14 | 17 | 16 | 11 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 13 |
Feels °C | 9 | 13 | 13 | 7 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | S 9 | S 8 | S 7 | S 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 7 | SSE 17 | S 7 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | SE 7 | SE 6 | SE 7 |
63 | 175 | 239 | 88 | 114 | 82 | 110 | 17 | 17 | 138 | 57 | 92 | 83 | 79 | 56 | 35 | 43 | 32 | 28 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | SSE 19 | SSE 18 | SSE 17 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | E 10 | — | SSW 12 | SE 7 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 |
43 | 32 | 29 | 29 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 37 | 64 | 58 | 19 | 10 | 8 | — | 29 | 23 | 29 | 25 | 17 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 13 | S 16 | S 19 | S 16 | SSE 16 | SE 16 | SE 9 | SE 8 | S 14 | ENE 10 | — | SSE 18 | SSE 16 | — | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 |
7 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 25 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 18 | — | 30 | 26 | — | 28 | 11 | 35 | 31 | 27 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 3 | W 3 | — | W 2 | — | — | S 9 | S 7 | S 8 | E 8 | SE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 6 | — | — | — |
6 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | 194 | 285 | 292 | 1 | 195 | 97 | 126 | 121 | 121 | 80 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 87 | 0 | 0 | 141 | 0 | 46 | 76 | 0 | 76 | 87 | 87 | 36 | 87 | 87 | 1 | 237 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Illawarra | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.











