Read more about conditions over the weekend for surfing and swimming, including the beach patrol times in the latest beach report.
Weather
Well, it has been a pretty good week of weather across the local region this week, with mild and slightly cooler temperatures, light to moderate onshore winds, and mostly sunny skies.
Looking ahead to today and then across the long weekend coming up, we are set to experience mixed weather conditions – including the increased chance of showers, more mild and slightly cooler temperatures, along with moderate onshore (S/SE to E/SE) winds that will become lighter on Sunday and Monday.
Today’s winds will be from the S/SE to E/SE at 15 to 20 knots and then very similar tomorrow as well with E/SE winds forecast at around 15+ knots.
Sunday and Monday will then bring a slight decrease in wind speed with the early forecast suggesting S/SE to E/SE winds at around 10 to 15 knots.
But generally, beach goers can expect lighter winds through the early mornings and then stronger winds through the afternoons – plus, keep an eye on the sky for the odd drop of rain.
Swimming
Swimming conditions have been reasonable during this past week, with better conditions through the mornings while the winds were lighter, and then choppier conditions later in the day when the winds increased.
This will also be the general trend for the coming days as well, with the best swimming conditions set to be found through the early mornings while the winds are lighter and the tide higher – and the beaches that offer protection from the SE winds will be better again.
As per usual, with the SE winds, the open and exposed beaches will be choppier and messier, and more so through the afternoons when the winds intensify.
With all of this in mind, the best beaches for swimmers over the coming days will be Agnes Water, Hervey Bay, Nielson Park, and Moore Park Beach, whilst the open and beaches will have a side sweep and choppier conditions (particularly today and tomorrow), so be careful if swimming at these locations.
Please check with the surf lifesavers or 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 and Weekdays: 9 am to 5 pm at Kelly’s Beach and Agnes Water only.
Saturday
- 9 am to 5 pm at Kelly’s Beach, Nielson Park, Oaks Beach & Agnes Water.
- 1 pm to 5 pm at Elliott Heads and Moore Park.
Sunday and Monday
- 9 am to 5 pm at Elliott Heads, Kelly’s Beach, Nielson Park, Oaks Beach, Moore Park and Agnes Water.
Surfing
Not a great week of waves this week but having said that there were opportunities to get out and find a few small but fun waves if you could get the tide and wind conditions right.
For today and tomorrow especially, we are expecting the onshore winds to kick back in again with moderate S/SE to E/SE winds forecast, so there could be another kick in wave heights today and tomorrow – but expect it to be messy and choppy unless you get there early or stick to the northern side of the headlands.
Your best options will be Agnes Water, Mon Repos, Moore Park, and Nielson Park, with early to mid-morning perhaps being the better time, or again from mid to late afternoon. Good Luck.
For the SUP and Ocean Ski paddlers chasing a downwind paddle, you will have plenty of wind for a slick south to north run over the coming days.
For those looking for a gentle and more relaxed paddle, hit the beaches in the very early mornings or else head to the protected inland waterways.
Events
This weekend marks the last weekend of volunteer Surf Lifesaving Beach Patrols for the 2023-24 Surf Lifesaving Season.
After 5 pm on Monday, when the flags are pulled down, there will only be 2 x beaches with Lifeguard coverage through the off-season – Agnes Water (7-days/week) and Kelly’s Beach (weekends only).
Enjoyed the latest beach report? Read another recent report here or read more about beach safety on the Surf Life Saving Queensland website.
