Charts: The charts and weather models are indicating typical March patterns, that is a high pretty much stationary in the Tasman Sea east of Bass Strait, extending with a ridge up the Qld coast, which will create moderate to fresh SE winds
SE Qld Weather for Easter: Based on what the charts are indicating, expect coastal showers and winds to average 15-20kts SE in offshore waters and 10-15kts SE close inshore, possibly easing a bit on Sunday and Monday. There should be lighter SW/S land breezes inshore early
Tides & Moon: It was full moon last Monday night and the moon is now waning to third quarter, or half moon down next Tuesday night. Around the first and third quarters of the moon, we experience neap tides, which means tidal differences are smaller. There’ll be morning lows and afternoon highs. Click this link for precise tide times and heights
Swell & Coastal Bars: On the beaches and coastal bars there should be about 1m of E/NE swell. Further offshore it looks like it should be 1-1.5m. Although the swell shouldn’t be very big on the bars, any swell out of the E/NE requires caution crossing one. Be particularly careful on the ebb tides, when pressure waves, which can be bigger than actual swell size and break unpredictably, form as the water runs out through the narrow bar openings.
Pic below is South Passage bar on 19th March 2024
Sailing & Boating: Based on the weather predictions, there should be good wind for sailing and boating conditions in offshore and open waters should be very choppy. A lot of people go away on their boats for the Easter break and the popular cruising and anchorages along the western side of Moreton and North Stradbroke Islands, from Caloundra to Donnybrook in Pumicestone Passage and the southern bay from Peel Island to the northern parts of Southport Broadwater, will once again have the best conditions, but will be crowded. Please keep your speed and wash to a minimum as you go past anchored boats and don’t anchor too close to each other
Fishing: If the weather predictions are right, it’s looking like conditions for offshore fishing will marginal in small boats. It should be choppy in open Moreton Bay waters and the more sheltered waters in Pumicestone Passage and the southern bay, will be best, but crowded with boats enjoying the Easter break. The dams will also be busier for Easter, so it adds up to fishing in these peak holiday times being be a bit tougher than usual. To help you plan your Easter angling, the latest SE Qld Fishing Report was published on the Coastwatch web site this afternoon, as it is every Thursday afternoon.
Pic below is Gold Coast estuary guide and charter skipper Ross McCubbin and Karla Herbert-Evans with a nice feed of mud and sand crabs and whiting caught in Southport Broadwater last week
Surf: It’s going to be crowded on the points and bays on the northern side of the headlands at Noosa, Mooloolaba, Burleigh, Kirra, Greenmount and Rainbow Bay, where given the forecast of SE winds and a 1m E/NE swell, the cleanest waves should be. If the wind is light SW/S for an hour or two after dawn, it would be worth looking for beach breaks to try and escape the crowds on the points. You can check the daily Surf Report published about 5.40 every morning
Beach: In the forecast conditions, the bays on the north side of the headlands at Noosa, Mooloolaba, Burleigh, Kirra, Greenmount and Rainbow Bay will be the most pleasant and safest beaches for a swim this Easter. Swim only in the patrolled areas marked by the red and yellow flags and be aware that particularly on the open stretches of beach, on the ebb tides, any rips and sweep working around the inshore holes and gutters will be enhanced as the water drains off the beach. For the latest conditions, check our daily Beach Report published about 5.40 every morning
