Gold & Sunshine Coast Report Issued 5.35am 26 January 2024

Wind:

Gold Coast: Light NW/N early, becoming 10-15kts N/NE during the morning

Sunshine Coast: Light E/NE early, becoming 10-15kts NE during the morning

Swell:

0.75-1m E/NE

Tides:

High 8.45am … Low 3.15pm

Best waves:

Gold Coast: There’s a few waves on the points early, but they’ll become full with the big incoming tide. The other alternative is to hunt for early beach breaks on the open beaches while the wind is light. When it freshens and swings N/NE during the morning, the best options will be at Southport Spit and on the south side of the headlands on the Tweed Coast

Sunshine Coast: Wave quality is poor due to the onshore wind. With not much on offer, maybe look for beach breaks early while the wind is light. When it freshens and swings NE during the morning, the best options will be beach breaks at Sunshine Beach, Yaroomba, Kawana and Kings Beach Caloundra

Best Beaches:

The best time for a swim will be early this morning, while the winds are light and the tide is making. Later in the day, when the wind freshens and swings N/NE on the Gold Coast and NE on Sunshine Coast, the best beaches will be Kings at Caloundra and Southport Spit to Surfers Paradise

 
It’s full moon tonight, so for the next week there will be big daytime high tides. Swim only in the patrolled areas marked by the red and yellow flags, particularly from mid morning through to mid afternoon, when the extra volume of water draining off the beach will enhance rips and sweep working around the inshore holes and gutters

It’s summer and there’s often bluebottles in the surf. Check along the tide line to see if any have been blown or washed ashore, look for signs in the patrolled areas, or ask the beach patrol