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Rule Dramatic Seascapes

Melbourne - Dramatic Seascapes - Australian Coast

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Dramatic coastal photography conditions - powerful waves combined with atmospheric drama and good visibility for seascape shots.

No opportunities right now
Here’s what usually blocks matches

No Dramatic Seascapes opportunities in the next 14 days

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Rule requirements (key thresholds)
Coastal Drama Score · ≥ 75.0% Significant Wave Height · ≥ 1.5m Visibility · ≥ 5000.0m Wind Gusts · ≤ 22.0m/s

Tip: Scroll down to the 72-hour table to see exactly which condition fails hour by hour.

Most common blockers (next 72 hours)
Coastal Drama Score 100% failing
Significant Wave Height 100% failing
Precipitation Chance 97% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Wave Height0.5m
Swell Height0.1m
Wind Speed7.1m/s (moderate winds)
Cloud Cover100%

Upcoming Opportunities

When all conditions match, PhotoWeather marks an opportunity window.

Times shown in Australia/Melbourne

No opportunities in the next 10 days

See the blocker timeline below to understand which conditions are preventing matches.

What this forecast looks for

Plain-language explanation from the rule

This forecast tracks the conditions that bring Australia's dramatic coastline to life—from Sydney Harbour's iconic landmarks to the towering limestone stacks of the Great Ocean Road. We monitor swell patterns, wind conditions, and tidal ranges to predict when the coast will deliver spectacular photography opportunities.

Australia's eastern coastline offers extraordinary variety over thousands of kilometers. The Twelve Apostles and Great Ocean Road showcase some of Earth's most dramatic coastal erosion, where Southern Ocean swells have carved towering limestone stacks. Sydney Harbour combines natural drama with iconic architecture. Further north, Byron Bay and the Sunshine Coast offer subtropical character with dramatic headlands and powerful surf.

What makes Australian coastal photography exceptional:

  • Twelve Apostles - Massive limestone stacks rising from the Southern Ocean, constantly reshaped by powerful swells
  • Sydney Harbour icons - Opera House and Harbour Bridge frame natural harbor drama with world-famous architecture
  • Rock platforms - Wollongong, Kiama, and countless beaches offer wave-washed platforms for long exposure photography
  • Diverse conditions - From subtropical Byron Bay to temperate Melbourne coast, variety spans climate zones

Best dramatic conditions occur during and after low-pressure systems bringing large swells, typically April through September. The Southern Ocean generates powerful groundswells that create spectacular wave action on the Victorian and southern NSW coasts. Sydney Harbour catches dramatic light year-round. Always respect ocean conditions—rogue waves are deadly on exposed platforms.

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72-hour requirements breakdown

What passed or failed, hour by hour
0matching hours in the next 95 hours
AND logic: all conditions required
Meets requirement
Misses requirement
Time
Australia/Melbourne
Coastal Drama Score
≥ 75.0%
Significant Wave Height
≥ 1.5m
Visibility
≥ 5000.0m
Wind Gusts
≤ 22.0m/s
Precipitation Chance
≤ 30.0%
Wed, Apr 8
17:0011%0.35m24135m2.7m/s0%
18:0011%0.31m24134m3m/s0%
19:007.9%0.28m24135m2.8m/s0%
20:004.4%0.26m24134m8.9m/s13%
21:004%0.24m24135m9.5m/s26%
22:004.5%0.48m24134m10m/s39%
23:003.2%0.44m24135m11m/s39%
Thu, Apr 9
24:004.3%0.39m24134m12m/s28%
01:004.5%0.35m24135m13m/s22%
02:003.2%0.33m24135m15m/s42%
03:003.2%0.31m24134m15m/s62%
04:003.5%0.38m24135m15m/s82%
05:003.7%0.26m24135m16m/s50%
06:0015%0.15m24134m17m/s36%
07:0015%0.14m24134m17m/s22%
08:0011%0.15m24135m18m/s41%
09:0010%0.09m24135m18m/s60%
10:008%0.16m24135m17m/s79%
11:007.5%0.16m24134m15m/s92%
12:007.5%0.15m19080m14m/s90%
13:009.6%0.15m22381m14m/s88%
14:008.3%0.24m24134m16m/s92%
15:009.3%0.41m24135m17m/s96%
16:007%0.42m9430m16m/s100%
17:0012%0.54m24135m16m/s97%
18:0013%0.65m23137m17m/s95%
19:004%0.77m15247m17m/s93%
20:003.8%0.8m11505m18m/s95%
21:003.8%0.84m23734m15m/s97%
22:003.4%0.87m17471m16m/s99%
23:003.1%0.92m9221m14m/s93%
Fri, Apr 10
24:003.8%0.98m24135m14m/s88%
01:0011%1m24135m12m/s82%
02:007.5%1.1m24134m12m/s85%
03:009.7%1.1m24135m12m/s88%
04:008.1%1.1m24135m13m/s92%
05:007.5%1.1m24135m14m/s74%
06:0020%1.1m24135m10m/s57%
07:0030%1.1m24134m6.4m/s39%
08:0021%1m24134m6.1m/s53%
09:0017%1m24135m6.8m/s68%
10:0015%1m24134m9.8m/s82%
11:007.5%0.99m24135m12m/s70%
12:007.5%0.99m24135m12m/s57%
13:007.5%0.98m24135m12m/s45%
14:0018%1m24134m12m/s56%
15:0015%1.1m24135m11m/s68%
16:0018%1.1m24135m11m/s79%
17:0022%1.1m24134m12m/s73%
18:0024%1.1m21619m11m/s67%
19:007.3%1.2m21174m11m/s62%
20:00-1.1m16939m12m/s66%
21:00-1.1m21827m11m/s71%
22:00-1.1m20921m10m/s76%
23:003.2%0.83m23407m9.7m/s58%
Sat, Apr 11
24:002.9%0.84m24134m7.6m/s40%
01:002.9%0.86m24135m8.4m/s22%
02:003.2%0.86m24134m9.2m/s28%
03:004.5%0.87m24135m9.3m/s33%
04:003.2%0.87m24134m9.6m/s39%
05:003.2%0.86m24135m9.2m/s42%
06:009.1%0.84m24135m9.6m/s46%
07:0012%0.83m24134m9.8m/s49%
08:009.5%0.85m24135m10m/s59%
09:008.8%0.87m24135m11m/s70%
10:006.8%0.89m24134m11m/s80%
11:006.8%0.87m24135m11m/s84%
12:006.8%0.86m23264m11m/s88%
13:006.8%0.84m24135m12m/s92%
14:006.8%0.85m24134m13m/s94%
15:006.8%0.86m24003m12m/s97%
16:008%0.87m19199m12m/s99%
17:0012%0.86m15557m11m/s94%
18:0010%0.86m24134m12m/s90%
19:004.5%0.85m22460m11m/s85%
20:003.5%0.83m24135m11m/s88%
21:003.2%0.8m23332m11m/s92%
22:003.2%0.78m24134m11m/s95%
23:003.5%0.78m20324m12m/s91%
Sun, Apr 12
24:003.7%0.78m16514m14m/s87%
01:003.9%0.78m12703m15m/s83%
02:003.9%0.78m14585m14m/s86%
03:004.1%0.79m16467m14m/s90%
04:003.7%0.79m18348m14m/s94%
05:004.5%0.78m20277m13m/s93%
06:0012%0.76m22206m13m/s92%
07:0010%0.75m24135m13m/s92%
08:008.9%0.74m24135m12m/s92%
09:007.4%0.74m24135m12m/s93%
10:007.1%0.73m24135m11m/s94%
11:008.6%0.72m24135m11m/s88%
12:008.3%0.7m24135m11m/s82%
13:007.3%0.69m24135m11m/s76%
14:008.6%0.68m24135m11m/s80%
15:008.6%0.68m24135m11m/s83%
How to read: colored cells show whether each predicate requirement is met; highlighted rows mean the full rule matched (an opportunity).

What does Coastal Drama Score mean?

Inputs that drive the score

This derived score summarizes multiple raw weather signals. The table below shows the supporting inputs hour by hour, so you can see what's pushing the score up or down.

Time
Australia/Melbourne
High Clouds
%
Low Clouds
%
Mid-Level Clouds
%
Primary Swell Height
m
Primary Wave Direction
°
Sea Salt AOD (550nm)
Solar Elevation
°
Total Cloud Coverage
%
Wind Direction
°
Wind Speed
m/s
Wind Wave Height
m
Wind Wave Period
s
Thu, Apr 9 Sunrise 06:42 Sunset 18:01
17:00
100% 50% 100% 0.11m 256° 0.006 11° 100% 348° 7.1m/s 0.53m 3.2s
18:00
100% 0% 100% 0.13m 252° 0.007 0.14° 100% 350° 6.7m/s 0.65m 3.5s
19:00
100% 31% 100% 0.16m 248° 0.007 -12° 100% 344° 6.8m/s 0.77m 3.9s
20:00
100% 19% 100% 0.13m 247° 0.006 -24° 100% 346° 6.8m/s 0.8m 4s
21:00
100% 0% 100% 0.1m 245° 0.005 -35° 100% 353° 6.3m/s 0.84m 4.2s
22:00
100% 1% 100% 0.07m 243° 0.004 -46° 100% 354° 6.5m/s 0.87m 4.3s
23:00
100% 100% 100% 0.1m 238° 0.006 -55° 100% 315° 6.4m/s 0.92m 4.6s
Fri, Apr 10 Sunrise 06:42 Sunset 18:01
24:00
100% 11% 1% 0.13m 233° 0.01 -60° 100% 322° 5m/s 0.98m 4.8s
01:00
32% 0% 0% 0.16m 228° 0.01 -59° 32% 324° 4.9m/s 1m 5.1s
02:00
0% 0% 0% 0.19m 228° 0.01 -53° 0% 327° 5m/s 1.1m 5s
03:00
0% 32% 0% 0.22m 227° 0.01 -43° 32% 324° 4.7m/s 1.1m 4.8s
04:00
0% 88% 0% 0.25m 226° 0.02 -32° 88% 326° 4.6m/s 1.1m 4.7s
05:00
0% 100% 0% 0.24m 226° 0.02 -21° 100% 300° 5.8m/s 1.1m 4.7s
06:00
0% 100% 0% 0.23m 225° 0.02 -9° 100% 257° 5.6m/s 1.1m 4.6s
07:00
0% 57% 0% 0.22m 225° 0.02 2.9° 57% 259° 3m/s 1.1m 4.6s
08:00
0% 99% 0% 0.22m 227° 0.03 14° 99% 299° 2.5m/s 1m 4.5s
09:00
0% 100% 0% 0.22m 229° 0.03 25° 100% 338° 3.3m/s 1m 4.5s
10:00
2% 96% 0% 0.22m 232° 0.03 34° 96% 330° 3.9m/s 1m 4.4s
11:00
4% 100% 0% 0.24m 232° 0.04 41° 100% 309° 5.5m/s 0.99m 4.4s
12:00
0% 100% 0% 0.26m 232° 0.04 44° 100% 298° 5.6m/s 0.99m 4.4s
13:00
0% 100% 0% 0.28m 232° 0.04 43° 100% 297° 5.7m/s 0.98m 4.4s
14:00
0% 74% 0% 0.29m 228° 0.04 39° 74% 287° 5.1m/s 1m 4.6s
15:00
0% 100% 0% 0.29m 224° 0.04 31° 100% 287° 6m/s 1.1m 4.8s
16:00
0% 96% 0% 0.3m 221° 0.04 22° 96% 301° 4.9m/s 1.1m 5.1s
17:00
0% 100% 0% 0.3m 219° 0.05 11° 100% 309° 4.7m/s 1.1m 5.2s
18:00
4% 100% 0% 0.31m 218° 0.05 -0.21° 100% 294° 4.2m/s 1.1m 5.3s
19:00
2% 100% 5% 0.31m 217° 0.05 -12° 100% 284° 4.4m/s 1.2m 5.5s
20:00
0% 99% 82% 0.31m 216° 0.05 -24° 99% 281° 4.8m/s 1.1m 5.5s
21:00
0% 100% 0% 0.31m 216° 0.05 -36° 100% 277° 4.9m/s 1.1m 5.5s
22:00
5% 99% 0% 0.31m 216° 0.05 -46° 99% 269° 5.2m/s 1.1m 5.5s
23:00
1% 100% 0% 0.31m 215° - -55° 100% 269° 4.1m/s 1.1m 5.5s
Sat, Apr 11 Sunrise 06:42 Sunset 18:00
24:00
4% 97% 0% 0.31m 214° - -60° 97% 284° 4m/s 1.1m 5.5s
01:00
0% 99% 0% 0.31m 214° - -59° 99% 291° 3.5m/s 1.1m 5.5s
02:00
0% 100% 0% 0.31m 213° - -53° 100% 290° 3.9m/s 1.2m 5.6s
03:00
0% 60% 0% 0.32m 212° - -44° 60% 298° 3.9m/s 1.2m 5.6s
04:00
0% 5% 0% 0.32m 211° - -33° 5% 304° 3.7m/s 1.2m 5.7s
05:00
0% 5% 0% 0.32m 211° - -21° 5% 313° 3.7m/s 1.2m 5.6s
06:00
0% 5% 0% 0.32m 211° - -9.2° 5% 318° 3.8m/s 1.1m 5.5s
07:00
0% 5% 0% 0.32m 211° - 2.8° 5% 324° 3.9m/s 1.1m 5.4s
08:00
0% 5% 0% 0.32m 210° - 14° 5% 320° 4.4m/s 1.1m 5.4s
09:00
0% 15% 0% 0.32m 209° - 24° 15% 305° 5.1m/s 1.1m 5.4s
10:00
0% 100% 0% 0.32m 208° - 33° 100% 294° 5.6m/s 1.1m 5.4s
11:00
0% 100% 0% 0.32m 209° - 40° 100% 284° 5.6m/s 1.1m 5.3s
12:00
0% 100% 0% 0.32m 209° - 44° 100% 295° 5.1m/s 1.1m 5.2s
13:00
0% 100% 0% 0.32m 209° - 43° 100% 289° 5.3m/s 1.1m 5.1s
14:00
0% 100% 0% 0.32m 208° - 38° 100% 294° 5.2m/s 1.1m 5.1s
15:00
0% 100% 58% 0.32m 208° - 31° 100% 287° 4.7m/s 1.1m 5.2s
16:00
0% 88% 7% 0.32m 208° - 21° 88% 259° 5.7m/s 1.1m 5.2s
17:00
0% 60% 0% 0.32m 206° - 11° 60% 264° 5m/s 1.1m 5.2s
18:00
0% 95% 0% 0.32m 205° - -0.63° 95% 270° 4.4m/s 1.1m 5.2s
19:00
0% 64% 0% 0.32m 204° - -13° 64% 272° 4.5m/s 1.1m 5.1s
20:00
0% 93% 0% 0.32m 204° - -25° 93% 278° 4.4m/s 1.1m 5.1s
21:00
0% 98% 0% 0.33m 204° - -36° 98% 279° 4.5m/s 1m 5s
22:00
0% 98% 0% 0.33m 204° - -47° 98% 281° 4.4m/s 1m 5s
23:00
0% 86% 0% 0.34m 204° - -55° 86% 277° 6.7m/s 1m 5s
Sun, Apr 12 Sunrise 06:43 Sunset 17:59
24:00
0% 74% 0% 0.34m 205° - -60° 74% 272° 9.1m/s 1m 4.9s
01:00
0% 62% 0% 0.35m 205° - -59° 62% 267° 11m/s 1m 4.9s
02:00
0% 49% 0% 0.35m 204° - -53° 49% 263° 11m/s 0.99m 4.9s
03:00
0% 35% 0% 0.36m 204° - -44° 35% 259° 11m/s 0.99m 4.9s
04:00
0% 22% 0% 0.36m 204° - -33° 22% 255° 10m/s 0.98m 4.9s
05:00
0% 48% 0% 0.39m 204° - -21° 48% 248° 10m/s 0.98m 4.9s
06:00
0% 74% 0% 0.41m 204° - -9.3° 74% 242° 10m/s 0.97m 4.9s
07:00
0% 100% 0% 0.44m 204° - 2.6° 100% 235° 10m/s 0.97m 4.9s
08:00
2% 98% 0% 0.49m 203° - 14° 98% 238° 10m/s 0.94m 4.9s
09:00
3% 96% 0% 0.55m 203° - 24° 96% 241° 9.8m/s 0.92m 4.8s
10:00
5% 94% 0% 0.6m 202° - 33° 94% 244° 9.5m/s 0.89m 4.8s
11:00
25% 91% 2% 0.59m 202° - 40° 91% 244° 9.4m/s 0.87m 4.6s
12:00
45% 89% 3% 0.59m 202° - 43° 89% 244° 9.4m/s 0.84m 4.5s
13:00
65% 86% 5% 0.58m 202° - 43° 86% 244° 9.3m/s 0.82m 4.4s
14:00
45% 90% 5% 0.58m 202° - 38° 90% 246° 9.2m/s 0.82m 4.3s
15:00
25% 94% 5% 0.58m 202° - 31° 94% 248° 9m/s 0.82m 4.3s
16:00
5% 98% 5% 0.58m 202° - 21° 98% 249° 8.8m/s 0.82m 4.3s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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