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.
Currently
Real-time conditionsWave Height2.2m
Swell Height1.6m
Wind Speed1.1m/s (calm conditions)
Cloud Cover100%
Upcoming Opportunities
When all conditions match, PhotoWeather marks an opportunity window.
Times shown in Australia/Melbourne
Next opportunity
Powerful Seascape
Melbourne
Tomorrow · 18:00–19:00 · 1h window
Medium confidence
59%
🌊Coastal Drama Score75.5%
Wave Height: 2.2m
Swell Height: 1.6m
Wind Speed: 1.0m/s (calm conditions)
Cloud Cover: 63%
Powerful Seascape at Sunrise
Melbourne
Fri, Jul 10 · 08:00–09:00
🌊Coastal Drama Score:81%
Medium
What this forecast looks for
Plain-language explanation from the ruleThis 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 hourAND 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, Jul 8 | |||||
| 15:00 | 41% | 2.2m | 24134m | 1.4m/s | 0% |
| 16:00 | 49% | 2.2m | 24135m | 1.8m/s | 0% |
| 17:00 | 51% | 2.2m | 24134m | 2.8m/s | 0% |
| 18:00 | 58% | 2.2m | 24135m | 1.6m/s | 0% |
| 19:00 | 22% | 2.2m | 24134m | 0.51m/s | 0% |
| 20:00 | 21% | 2.1m | 24134m | 0.3m/s | 0% |
| 21:00 | 22% | 2.1m | 24134m | 0.33m/s | 0% |
| 22:00 | 19% | 2.2m | 24134m | 0.8m/s | 0% |
| 23:00 | 20% | 2.2m | 24134m | 1m/s | 0% |
| Thu, Jul 9 | |||||
| 24:00 | 20% | 2.1m | 24135m | 1m/s | 0% |
| 01:00 | 19% | 2.1m | 24135m | 1.1m/s | 0% |
| 02:00 | 19% | 2.1m | 24135m | 1.5m/s | 0% |
| 03:00 | 19% | 2.1m | 24135m | 1.5m/s | 0% |
| 04:00 | 19% | 2.1m | 24134m | 1.6m/s | 0% |
| 05:00 | 19% | 2.1m | 24134m | 1.5m/s | 0% |
| 06:00 | 18% | 2.1m | 24134m | 1.5m/s | 0% |
| 07:00 | 53% | 2.1m | 24135m | 1.9m/s | 0% |
| 08:00 | 60% | 2.1m | 24134m | 1.9m/s | 0% |
| 09:00 | 55% | 2.1m | 24134m | 2m/s | 0% |
| 10:00 | 48% | 2.1m | 24135m | 1.5m/s | 0% |
| 11:00 | 48% | 2.1m | 24135m | 1.4m/s | 0% |
| 12:00 | 48% | 2.1m | 24135m | 1.6m/s | 0% |
| 13:00 | 48% | 2.1m | 24134m | 1.5m/s | 0% |
| 14:00 | 47% | 2.1m | 24134m | 1.5m/s | 0% |
| 15:00 | 50% | 2.2m | 24134m | 1.6m/s | 0% |
| 16:00 | 51% | 2.2m | 24135m | 1.2m/s | 0% |
| 17:00 | 71% | 2.2m | 24135m | 1.1m/s | 0% |
| 18:00 | 76% | 2.3m | 24134m | 1.2m/s | 0% |
| 19:00 | 26% | 2.3m | 24135m | 1.6m/s | 0% |
| 20:00 | 22% | 2.3m | 24134m | 2.1m/s | 0% |
| 21:00 | 22% | 2.3m | 24135m | 2.5m/s | 0% |
| 22:00 | 24% | 2.3m | 24135m | 2.2m/s | 0% |
| 23:00 | 21% | 2.3m | 24134m | 2.2m/s | 0% |
| Fri, Jul 10 | |||||
| 24:00 | 26% | 2.3m | 24135m | 2.8m/s | 0% |
| 01:00 | 24% | 2.3m | 24135m | 2.7m/s | 0% |
| 02:00 | 20% | 2.3m | 24134m | 3.2m/s | 0% |
| 03:00 | 21% | 2.3m | 24135m | 3.2m/s | 0% |
| 04:00 | 23% | 2.3m | 24135m | 3.5m/s | 0% |
| 05:00 | 24% | 2.3m | 24134m | 3.7m/s | 0% |
| 06:00 | 21% | 2.3m | 24135m | 4m/s | 0% |
| 07:00 | 63% | 2.3m | 24135m | 4.4m/s | 0% |
| 08:00 | 81% | 2.3m | 24135m | 4.9m/s | 0% |
| 09:00 | 71% | 2.3m | 24135m | 5.8m/s | 0% |
| 10:00 | 55% | 2.3m | 24135m | 5.8m/s | 0% |
| 11:00 | 47% | 2.3m | 24135m | 5.8m/s | 0% |
| 12:00 | 44% | 2.2m | 24135m | 5.6m/s | 0% |
| 13:00 | 45% | 2.2m | 24134m | 5.4m/s | 0% |
| 14:00 | 45% | 2.2m | 24135m | 5.5m/s | 0% |
| 15:00 | 43% | 2.2m | 24134m | 5.6m/s | 0% |
| 16:00 | 57% | 2.2m | 24135m | 5.6m/s | 0% |
| 17:00 | 71% | 2.1m | 24134m | 7.4m/s | 0% |
| 18:00 | 53% | 2.1m | 24134m | 7.9m/s | 0% |
| 19:00 | 24% | 2.1m | 24135m | 7.7m/s | 0% |
| 20:00 | 21% | 2.1m | 24134m | 8.1m/s | 0% |
| 21:00 | 26% | 2m | 24134m | 8.8m/s | 0% |
| 22:00 | 25% | 2m | 24134m | 8.6m/s | 0% |
| 23:00 | 26% | 2m | 24135m | 8.9m/s | 0% |
| Sat, Jul 11 | |||||
| 24:00 | 20% | 2m | 24134m | 9.9m/s | 0% |
| 01:00 | 23% | 2m | 24134m | 11m/s | 0% |
| 02:00 | 22% | 1.9m | 24135m | 12m/s | 17% |
| 03:00 | 20% | 1.9m | 24135m | 12m/s | 33% |
| 04:00 | 21% | 1.9m | 24135m | 13m/s | 50% |
| 05:00 | 19% | 1.9m | 24135m | 14m/s | 50% |
| 06:00 | 18% | 1.8m | 24135m | 16m/s | 50% |
| 07:00 | 53% | 1.8m | 24135m | 18m/s | 50% |
| 08:00 | 65% | 1.8m | 19068m | 17m/s | 52% |
| 09:00 | 58% | 1.8m | 14002m | 17m/s | 54% |
| 10:00 | 34% | 1.7m | 8935m | 17m/s | 56% |
| 11:00 | 35% | 1.7m | 12513m | 14m/s | 65% |
| 12:00 | 32% | 1.7m | 16091m | 12m/s | 75% |
| 13:00 | 35% | 1.7m | 19668m | 8.9m/s | 84% |
| 14:00 | 45% | 1.7m | 21157m | 12m/s | 89% |
| 15:00 | 52% | 1.7m | 22646m | 15m/s | 94% |
| 16:00 | 52% | 1.7m | 24135m | 17m/s | 99% |
| 17:00 | 51% | 1.7m | 24135m | 18m/s | 74% |
| 18:00 | 42% | 1.7m | 24135m | 18m/s | 50% |
| 19:00 | 13% | 1.7m | 24135m | 19m/s | 26% |
| 20:00 | 15% | 1.6m | 24135m | 18m/s | 29% |
| 21:00 | 15% | 1.6m | 24135m | 17m/s | 33% |
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 scoreThis 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed, Jul 8
Sunrise 07:35
Sunset 17:14 | ||||||||||||
| 23:00 ☾ | 43% | 0% | 100% | 1.6m | 207° | 0.007 | -66° | 100% | 11° | 1.1m/s | - | 14s |
| Thu, Jul 9
Sunrise 07:35
Sunset 17:14 | ||||||||||||
| 24:00 ☾ | 41% | 0% | 100% | 1.6m | 206° | 0.007 | -74° | 100% | 22° | 1.1m/s | - | 14s |
| 01:00 ☾ | 99% | 0% | 100% | 1.6m | 206° | 0.007 | -73° | 100% | 34° | 1.2m/s | - | 14s |
| 02:00 ☾ | 100% | 0% | 100% | 1.6m | 206° | 0.007 | -65° | 100% | 40° | 1.3m/s | - | 14s |
| 03:00 ☾ | 100% | 0% | 100% | 1.6m | 206° | 0.007 | -54° | 100% | 39° | 1.3m/s | - | 14s |
| 04:00 ☾ | 100% | 0% | 100% | 1.7m | 206° | 0.007 | -42° | 100% | 36° | 1.4m/s | - | 14s |
| 05:00 ☾ | 100% | 0% | 100% | 1.6m | 206° | 0.007 | -30° | 100% | 30° | 1.4m/s | - | 14s |
| 06:00 ☾ | 100% | 0% | 100% | 1.5m | 206° | 0.007 | -18° | 100% | 30° | 1.4m/s | - | 14s |
| 07:00 ☾ | 100% | 0% | 100% | 1.5m | 206° | 0.007 | -7° | 100% | 34° | 1.6m/s | - | 13s |
| 08:00 ☾ | 100% | 0% | 100% | 1.5m | 206° | 0.007 | 3.6° | 100% | 35° | 1.6m/s | - | 13s |
| 09:00 ☾ | 100% | 0% | 100% | 1.5m | 206° | 0.007 | 13° | 100% | 38° | 1.2m/s | - | 13s |
| 10:00 | 100% | 0% | 99% | 1.5m | 206° | 0.006 | 21° | 100% | 48° | 0.97m/s | 0.89m | 13s |
| 11:00 | 97% | 0% | 100% | 1.5m | 206° | 0.006 | 27° | 100% | 38° | 0.88m/s | 0.81m | 13s |
| 12:00 | 79% | 0% | 100% | 1.5m | 205° | 0.006 | 30° | 100% | 28° | 0.76m/s | 0.74m | 13s |
| 13:00 | 86% | 0% | 100% | 1.5m | 205° | 0.006 | 29° | 100% | 15° | 0.37m/s | 0.66m | 13s |
| 14:00 | 92% | 0% | 100% | 1.4m | 208° | 0.005 | 26° | 100% | 4° | 0.19m/s | 0.88m | 14s |
| 15:00 | 96% | 0% | 100% | 1.4m | 211° | 0.005 | 20° | 100% | 41° | 0.16m/s | 1.1m | 15s |
| 16:00 | 68% | 0% | 96% | 1.4m | 214° | 0.005 | 12° | 96% | 146° | 0.94m/s | 1.3m | 17s |
| 17:00 | 42% | 0% | 75% | 1.5m | 215° | 0.005 | 2.2° | 75% | 126° | 0.82m/s | 1.4m | 16s |
| 18:00 ☾ | 54% | 0% | 63% | 1.6m | 215° | 0.005 | -8.7° | 63% | 61° | 1m/s | 1.4m | 16s |
| 19:00 ☾ | 50% | 0% | 45% | 1.7m | 215° | 0.005 | -20° | 55% | 30° | 1.5m/s | 1.5m | 16s |
| 20:00 ☾ | 23% | 0% | 97% | 1.7m | 215° | 0.005 | -32° | 97% | 19° | 1.6m/s | 1.5m | 16s |
| 21:00 ☾ | 45% | 0% | 98% | 1.7m | 214° | 0.006 | -44° | 98% | 15° | 1.8m/s | 1.5m | 16s |
| 22:00 ☾ | 71% | 0% | 62% | 1.7m | 214° | 0.006 | -55° | 71% | 23° | 1.7m/s | 1.5m | 16s |
| 23:00 ☾ | 64% | 0% | 99% | 1.7m | 215° | 0.006 | -66° | 99% | 28° | 1.7m/s | 1.5m | 16s |
| Fri, Jul 10
Sunrise 07:35
Sunset 17:15 | ||||||||||||
| 24:00 ☾ | 57% | 0% | 80% | 1.7m | 216° | 0.006 | -74° | 80% | 24° | 1.8m/s | 1.5m | 15s |
| 01:00 ☾ | 55% | 0% | 91% | 1.7m | 217° | 0.006 | -73° | 91% | 25° | 1.8m/s | 1.5m | 15s |
| 02:00 ☾ | 17% | 0% | 96% | 1.7m | 216° | 0.006 | -64° | 96% | 24° | 1.7m/s | 1.5m | 15s |
| 03:00 ☾ | 5% | 0% | 91% | 1.7m | 215° | 0.006 | -53° | 91% | 28° | 1.7m/s | 1.5m | 15s |
| 04:00 ☾ | 5% | 0% | 72% | 1.7m | 214° | 0.006 | -42° | 72% | 19° | 1.8m/s | 1.5m | 15s |
| 05:00 ☾ | 5% | 0% | 43% | 1.7m | 214° | 0.007 | -30° | 43% | 20° | 2m/s | 1.5m | 15s |
| 06:00 ☾ | 5% | 0% | 95% | 1.7m | 215° | 0.008 | -18° | 95% | 20° | 2m/s | 1.5m | 15s |
| 07:00 ☾ | 5% | 0% | 83% | 1.7m | 215° | 0.009 | -7° | 83% | 19° | 2.1m/s | 1.5m | 15s |
| 08:00 ☾ | 5% | 0% | 65% | 1.7m | 215° | 0.01 | 3.7° | 65% | 16° | 2.1m/s | 1.4m | 15s |
| 09:00 ☾ | 4% | 0% | 76% | 1.7m | 215° | 0.01 | 13° | 76% | 12° | 2.1m/s | 1.4m | 15s |
| 10:00 | 0% | 0% | 88% | 1.7m | 215° | 0.01 | 21° | 88% | 8° | 2.7m/s | 1.4m | 15s |
| 11:00 | 0% | 0% | 93% | 1.7m | 216° | - | 27° | 93% | 4° | 3.1m/s | 1.4m | 15s |
| 12:00 | 0% | 0% | 97% | 1.7m | 217° | - | 30° | 97% | 360° | 3.5m/s | 1.4m | 15s |
| 13:00 | 0% | 0% | 80% | 1.7m | 217° | - | 29° | 80% | 354° | 3.7m/s | 1.4m | 15s |
| 14:00 | 0% | 0% | 88% | 1.7m | 217° | - | 26° | 88% | 350° | 3.9m/s | 1.3m | 15s |
| 15:00 | 0% | 2% | 96% | 1.7m | 216° | - | 20° | 96% | 351° | 3.8m/s | 1.3m | 15s |
| 16:00 | 0% | 2% | 93% | 1.6m | 216° | - | 12° | 93% | 356° | 3.5m/s | 1.3m | 14s |
| 17:00 | 1% | 2% | 52% | 1.6m | 215° | - | 2.3° | 52% | 358° | 3.3m/s | 1.3m | 14s |
| 18:00 ☾ | 5% | 6% | 5% | 1.6m | 215° | - | -8.6° | 6% | 3° | 2.9m/s | 1.2m | 14s |
| 19:00 ☾ | 5% | 17% | 46% | 1.6m | 215° | - | -20° | 46% | 15° | 2.9m/s | 1.2m | 14s |
| 20:00 ☾ | 16% | 5% | 5% | 1.6m | 215° | - | -32° | 16% | 26° | 3m/s | 1.2m | 14s |
| 21:00 ☾ | 34% | 6% | 57% | 1.6m | 215° | - | -43° | 59% | 15° | 2.9m/s | 1.2m | 14s |
| 22:00 ☾ | 60% | 8% | 12% | 1.6m | 215° | - | -55° | 60% | 15° | 2.7m/s | 1.1m | 14s |
| 23:00 ☾ | 28% | 9% | 42% | 1.6m | 215° | - | -66° | 45% | 11° | 2.8m/s | 1.1m | 14s |
| Sat, Jul 11
Sunrise 07:35
Sunset 17:16 | ||||||||||||
| 24:00 ☾ | 0% | 15% | 6% | 1.6m | 214° | - | -73° | 15% | 12° | 3.1m/s | 1.1m | 14s |
| 01:00 ☾ | 0% | 46% | 12% | 1.5m | 214° | - | -73° | 46% | 14° | 3.5m/s | 1.1m | 14s |
| 02:00 ☾ | 5% | 73% | 35% | 1.5m | 214° | - | -64° | 73% | 14° | 4m/s | 1.1m | 14s |
| 03:00 ☾ | 9% | 80% | 33% | 1.5m | 214° | - | -53° | 80% | 10° | 4.6m/s | 1.1m | 14s |
| 04:00 ☾ | 85% | 90% | 55% | 1.5m | 214° | - | -42° | 95% | 10° | 4.7m/s | 1.1m | 13s |
| 05:00 ☾ | 84% | 62% | 41% | 1.5m | 214° | - | -30° | 90% | 126° | 6.9m/s | 1m | 13s |
| 06:00 ☾ | 82% | 33% | 27% | 1.4m | 214° | - | -18° | 86% | 242° | 9.1m/s | 1m | 13s |
| 07:00 ☾ | 81% | 5% | 13% | 1.4m | 214° | - | -6.9° | 81% | 358° | 11m/s | 0.98m | 13s |
| 08:00 ☾ | 54% | 37% | 42% | 1.4m | 214° | - | 3.8° | 87% | 356° | 11m/s | 0.97m | 13s |
| 09:00 ☾ | 27% | 68% | 71% | 1.3m | 214° | - | 13° | 94% | 354° | 11m/s | 0.95m | 13s |
| 10:00 | 0% | 100% | 100% | 1.3m | 214° | - | 21° | 100% | 352° | 11m/s | 0.94m | 13s |
| 11:00 | 0% | 100% | 100% | 1.3m | 213° | - | 27° | 100% | 334° | 9.4m/s | 0.96m | 13s |
| 12:00 | 0% | 100% | 100% | 1.3m | 213° | - | 30° | 100% | 316° | 7.5m/s | 0.98m | 13s |
| 13:00 | 0% | 100% | 100% | 1.3m | 213° | - | 30° | 100% | 298° | 5.6m/s | 1m | 13s |
| 14:00 | 0% | 71% | 68% | 1.3m | 212° | - | 26° | 71% | 297° | 7.3m/s | 1.1m | 13s |
| 15:00 | 0% | 42% | 35% | 1.2m | 212° | - | 20° | 42% | 297° | 8.9m/s | 1.1m | 13s |
| 16:00 | 0% | 13% | 3% | 1.2m | 212° | - | 12° | 13% | 296° | 11m/s | 1.2m | 13s |
| 17:00 | 0% | 42% | 2% | 1.2m | 211° | - | 2.4° | 42% | 293° | 11m/s | 1.2m | 13s |
| 18:00 ☾ | 0% | 71% | 1% | 1.1m | 211° | - | -8.5° | 71% | 289° | 12m/s | 1.2m | 13s |
| 19:00 ☾ | 0% | 100% | 0% | 1.1m | 211° | - | -20° | 100% | 286° | 12m/s | 1.1m | 13s |
| 20:00 ☾ | 0% | 70% | 0% | 1.1m | 211° | - | -32° | 70% | 278° | 12m/s | 1.1m | 13s |
| 21:00 ☾ | 0% | 41% | 0% | 1.1m | 211° | - | -43° | 41% | 270° | 12m/s | 1.1m | 13s |
| 22:00 ☾ | 0% | 11% | 0% | 1.1m | 211° | - | -55° | 11% | 261° | 11m/s | 1.1m | 12s |
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.
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