It has been another great week of weather for beachgoers this week, with mostly glorious conditions yet again, although the onshore winds did start to creep up through yesterday and bring a few light showers too.
Unfortunately though, as we look ahead to the Easter weekend, and typical of an Easter long weekend too, it does appear that we are looking to be in for moderate onshore winds, the chance of scattered, light showers, and slightly cooler temperatures as well.
The wind forecast for the next four days is almost identical each and every day, with lighter S to S/SE winds through the early mornings at around 10 to 15 knots, that will then swing more from the S/SE to E/SE as the days progress, and then increase to around 15 to 20 knots – although stronger gusts are likely through the afternoons.
If anything, Sunday morning is looking slightly better than others, with only around 10 knots of S/SE winds forecast early.
Swimming: The swimming conditions have once again been good during this past week, especially in the mornings, with just some choppy conditions kicking in yesterday as the onshore winds got a little stronger.
Looking ahead to this Easter long weekend, the general trend will be to expect better swimming conditions through the early mornings (when the winds are lighter and more from the south, and when the tide is higher), with choppier and even slightly messy conditions in the afternoons as the winds increase and turn more onshore.
The open and more exposed beaches will be choppier too and will also have a side sweep or current pushing south to north as well, so look for protected locations through the afternoons.
The best beaches for swimmers over the coming days will certainly be those that provide some protection from the prevailing winds – so Hervey Bay and Agnes Water will be the best, followed by Nielson Park and Moore Park Beach, although if you get in super early, most beaches will be okay.
Please check with the 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: Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday – 8am to 5pm at Elliott Heads, Kelly’s Beach, Nielson Park, Oaks Beach, Moore Park Beach and Agnes Water, plus a rove lifeguard in the Bundaberg Region, plus an early Morning RWC Surveillance Patrol from Kelly’s Beach to Mon Repos (6am to 8am).
Weekdays (Tuesday onwards next week) – 9 am to 5 pm at Kelly’s Beach and Agnes Water only.
Surfing: Local board-riders have enjoyed plenty of waves across our local beaches from last weekend through until Wednesday this week, with yesterday disappointingly bringing a drop in both wave size and quality as those onshore winds kicked-in.
The onshore winds will continue across the easter weekend too, and get quite gusty through the afternoons, but the early mornings will at least bring slightly offshore winds and the chance of finding some small, but cleaner waves.
Wave heights are not expected to be anything special, unless the swell direction swings more E/NE, but as per usual, keep an eye on the conditions because they can change very quickly.
Agnes Water will likely be the better spot again over the coming days, if you can handle battling the school holiday crowds, but otherwise, Moore Park Beach, Mon Repos and Nielson Park will also be worth a look as well. Good luck!
For the SUP and ocean ski paddlers, there should be plenty of options for a slick, afternoon south to north downwind paddle over the next four days, but if you are looking for a more relaxed and causal float, you will need to hit the beaches very early in the morning, or else head to the protected rives, creeks and inland waterways.
Events: On behalf of all surf lifesavers and lifeguards, I would like to wish everyone a Happy Easter – stay safe out there this long weekend!
- Last week's beach report: Gusty onshore winds to pick up in the coming days
