Well, it has been a fantastic week of weather from about Monday onwards this week after we all got blown away last weekend.
Thankfully those winds eased and we have seen great beach conditions ever since.
As we look ahead to the coming long weekend there is more good news on the way for beachgoers too, with the general forecast suggesting more sunny skies, more light winds, and a mild temperature range.
Today’s winds will be from the E/SE at 5 to 10 knots this morning before they swing more from the E through this afternoon and increase to 10 to 15 knots.
Tomorrow will then bring E/SE winds through the morning at around 5 knots before they swing from the E/NE during the day and increase again to 10 to 15 knots through the afternoon.
E/NE to NE winds will then remain for Sunday and Monday, with around 10 knots forecast for Sunday and only 5 to 10 knots for Monday.
Swimming
The swimming conditions have improved quickly from Tuesday onwards this past week, with good swimming conditions being the norm across almost all beaches since then.
Now in great news for beachgoers, these conditions should remain across almost the entire long weekend as well, which will be a great way to end the school holidays!
The best time for swimmers to hit the beach over the coming days will certainly be from early morning through until around mid to late morning, while the tide is high and the winds are at their lightest.
The best beaches for swimmers through today and again tomorrow morning will be Hervey Bay, Agnes Water, Nielson Park and Moore Park but from Saturday afternoon and through until Monday, Elliott Heads and Kelly’s Beach will be the better options.
The morning high tides are quite high over the coming days too, so just be careful during the run-out stage of the tide when strong currents could develop.
Please check with the lifeguard on duty, read any safety signage or messages and most importantly please swim only at patrolled beaches, only between the red and yellow flags, and only during patrol times – remember, if we can’t see you, we can’t save you!
Beach patrols: Today: 9 am to 5 pm at Elliott Heads, Kellys Beach, Nielson Park Beach, Oaks Beach, Moore Park Beach and Agnes Water, plus a rove lifeguard operating within the Bundaberg Region.
Saturday, Sunday and Monday: 9 am – 5 pm at Elliott Heads, Kellys Beach, Nielson Park Beach, Oaks Beach, Moore Park Beach and Agnes Water, plus a rove lifeguard operating within the Bundaberg Region
Surfing
Local board-riders have had mixed surfing conditions throughout the past week, with a few periods of reasonable waves mixed in with periods of choppy and messy waves.
Looking ahead to today and then across the weekend, the swell forecast is not looking particularly great, but there should be opportunities to find some clean but small and fun waves over the coming days.
The mornings will likely be the best time to find a few waves, whilst Agnes Water, Nielson Park Beach, Moore Park Beach and Mon Repos could well be the better options, but don’t forget about Kellys Beach and even Elliott Heads once the winds turn more northerly from Saturday afternoon onwards. Good luck!
For the SUP and ocean ski paddlers, this afternoon might just throw up enough wind for a south to north downwind paddle but after that, north to south downwind runs may be better options from tomorrow afternoon onwards.
For those chasing a more relaxed and gentle paddle though, hit the beaches through the very early mornings for some fun!
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