Well, it has been a pretty good week of weather once again across the local region with mostly sunny skies, warm temperatures and only light to moderate winds, which has been great for those mid-week beach visitors but this will change for today and across the weekend.
Moderate to strong SE winds are forecast for at least the next three days, along with the chance of scattered showers through today and across the weekend but these really should not be anything significant.
This morning’s winds will be from the E/SE at around 20 knots before they increase even more through this afternoon to 20 to 25+ knots.
Tomorrow will be very similar too, with more E/SE winds forecast at 20 to 25 knots.
Sunday should then bring some slight relief with S/SE winds at 15 to 20 knots through the early morning that will then turn from the E/SE at around 20 knots during the day.
Swimming
Swimming conditions have been pretty good during the past week, with a few waves still about and a little bit of water movement as well to keep swimmers on their toes, but swimmers are going to have to be a lot more cautious at the beach over the coming days.
Moderate to strong onshore winds will provide messy and choppy conditions for at least the next three days, with those open and exposed beaches expected to a little rougher and messier, with a strong side sweep pushing from south to north (right to left).
The best time for a swim will either be through the early mornings when the winds are slightly lighter, or again around mid-afternoon when the tide is high – but it will be very windy and messy through the afternoons.
The best beaches will be those that offer protection from the gusty SE winds, so Hervey Bay and Agnes Water will be top, followed by perhaps Nielson Park Beach and Moore Park Beach locally.
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!
Today: 9 am to 5 pm at Kelly’s Beach and Agnes Water only
Saturday: 9 am to 5 pm at Kelly’s Beach, Nielsen Park Beach, Oaks Beach and Agnes Water only, 1 to 5 pm at Elliott Heads and Moore Park Beach.
Sunday: 9 am to 5 pm at Elliott Heads, Kelly’s Beach, Nielson Park Beach, Oaks Beach, Moore Park Beach and Agnes Water.
Surfing
Once again, there has been plenty of swell about this past week for board riders to enjoy, with smaller, but fun-sized, waves across almost all beaches for most of the week.
Now today and across the weekend, we will see an increase in wave heights, but we will also see moderate to strong onshore winds too, so conditions will be messy for the most part.
The key will be to look for some protection from the winds and try your luck on the northern side of those headlands.
Beaches such as Agnes Water, Nielson Park Beach, Mon Repos and Moore Park will be the better options.
Good Luck.
For the SUP and ocean ski paddlers chasing a downwind paddle, there will be plenty of gusty winds for a south to north downwind paddle today and across the weekend.
But, for those looking for a more relaxed and gentler paddle, you will need to head to the inland, protected waterways.
Events
Good luck to local junior surf lifesavers that will be competing in the 2025 WBC Branch Junior Championships at Tannum Sands on Saturday and Sunday.
Last week’s beach report: Mornings best for swimmers
