Rule
Dramatic Seascapes
Sydney - Dramatic Seascapes - Australian Coast
Sydney, New South Wales, 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
Precipitation Chance 100% failing
Significant Wave Height 78% failing
Currently
Real-time conditionsWave Height1.6m
Swell Height0.6m
Wind Speed1.1m/s (calm conditions)
Cloud Cover99%
Upcoming Opportunities
When all conditions match, PhotoWeather marks an opportunity window.
Times shown in Australia/Sydney
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 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.
Create your own Dramatic Seascapes alerts
Get notified when these conditions match at your own locations.
72-hour requirements breakdown
What passed or failed, hour by hour0matching hours in the next 95 hours
AND logic: all conditions required
Meets requirement
Misses requirement
Time Australia/Sydney | Coastal Drama Score ≥ 75.0% | Significant Wave Height ≥ 1.5m | Visibility ≥ 5000.0m | Wind Gusts ≤ 22.0m/s | Precipitation Chance ≤ 30.0% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, May 23 | |||||
| 23:00 | 11% | 1.8m | 24134m | 7m/s | 79% |
| Sun, May 24 | |||||
| 24:00 | - | 1.8m | 24135m | 7.4m/s | 56% |
| 01:00 | - | 1.8m | 24134m | 7m/s | 39% |
| 02:00 | 11% | 1.8m | 24135m | 4.7m/s | 53% |
| 03:00 | 12% | 1.8m | 24135m | 4.1m/s | 68% |
| 04:00 | 6.8% | 1.2m | 24134m | 3.9m/s | 82% |
| 05:00 | 6.1% | 1.2m | 24134m | 3.5m/s | 75% |
| 06:00 | - | 1.2m | 24134m | 3.7m/s | 65% |
| 07:00 | 20% | 1.2m | 24135m | 3.5m/s | 56% |
| 08:00 | 22% | 1.1m | 24135m | 4.7m/s | 61% |
| 09:00 | 16% | 1.1m | 24135m | 4.8m/s | 66% |
| 10:00 | - | 1.5m | 24135m | 4.4m/s | 72% |
| 11:00 | - | 1.5m | 24135m | 2.1m/s | 75% |
| 12:00 | - | 1.4m | 24135m | 2.9m/s | 93% |
| 13:00 | - | 1.4m | 24135m | 2.3m/s | 93% |
| 14:00 | 24% | 1.9m | 24134m | 3m/s | 95% |
| 15:00 | 22% | 1.9m | 24135m | 3.7m/s | 97% |
| 16:00 | 17% | 1.4m | 24134m | 4.9m/s | 100% |
| 17:00 | 18% | 1.4m | 16444m | 2m/s | 91% |
| 18:00 | 6.1% | 1.4m | 22241m | 2.2m/s | 87% |
| 19:00 | 5.5% | 1.4m | 24134m | 2.8m/s | 82% |
| 20:00 | 5.9% | 1.4m | 24135m | 2.6m/s | 87% |
| 21:00 | 7.5% | 1.4m | 24134m | 1.2m/s | 92% |
| 22:00 | 13% | 1.6m | 20214m | 0.82m/s | 97% |
| 23:00 | 10% | 1.6m | 24135m | 1.9m/s | 81% |
| Mon, May 25 | |||||
| 24:00 | 10% | 1.6m | 24135m | 2.1m/s | 66% |
| 01:00 | 11% | 1.5m | 15946m | 1.2m/s | 50% |
| 02:00 | 9.7% | 1.5m | 14910m | 2.1m/s | 53% |
| 03:00 | 10% | 1.5m | 15370m | 3.6m/s | 56% |
| 04:00 | 8.5% | 1.5m | 15808m | 3.3m/s | 59% |
| 05:00 | 7.1% | 1.5m | 24135m | 2.4m/s | 58% |
| 06:00 | 20% | 1.5m | 16519m | 1.9m/s | 58% |
| 07:00 | 26% | 1.5m | 19015m | 1.7m/s | 57% |
| 08:00 | 29% | 1.5m | 20210m | 1.5m/s | 57% |
| 09:00 | 20% | 1.5m | 24135m | 1.3m/s | 56% |
| 10:00 | 35% | 1.5m | 24135m | 1.4m/s | 56% |
| 11:00 | 30% | 1.5m | 24135m | 1.9m/s | 51% |
| 12:00 | 27% | 1.5m | 24135m | 1.6m/s | 47% |
| 13:00 | 28% | 1.5m | 24135m | 1.9m/s | 42% |
| 14:00 | 26% | 1.5m | 24134m | 2.7m/s | 52% |
| 15:00 | 38% | 1.5m | 24134m | 3m/s | 62% |
| 16:00 | 32% | 1.5m | 24134m | 2.9m/s | 72% |
| 17:00 | 37% | 1.5m | 24135m | 2.9m/s | 61% |
| 18:00 | 11% | 1.5m | 24134m | 2.7m/s | 50% |
| 19:00 | 8.9% | 1.5m | 24135m | 2.7m/s | 39% |
| 20:00 | 8.3% | 1.4m | 24135m | 3m/s | 50% |
| 21:00 | 10% | 1.4m | 24134m | 2.3m/s | 61% |
| 22:00 | 6.2% | 1.4m | 24135m | 2.4m/s | 72% |
| 23:00 | 6.6% | 1.4m | 24134m | 2.1m/s | 71% |
| Tue, May 26 | |||||
| 24:00 | 10% | 1.3m | 24134m | 2.8m/s | 70% |
| 01:00 | 11% | 1.3m | 24134m | 2.5m/s | 69% |
| 02:00 | 9.3% | 1.3m | 19874m | 1.6m/s | 76% |
| 03:00 | 9.4% | 1.3m | 24135m | 2.7m/s | 84% |
| 04:00 | 8.6% | 1.2m | 17747m | 2m/s | 91% |
| 05:00 | 7.9% | 1.2m | 16498m | 2.7m/s | 92% |
| 06:00 | 25% | 1.2m | 18707m | 2.5m/s | 93% |
| 07:00 | 29% | 1.2m | 19714m | 3.4m/s | 94% |
| 08:00 | 31% | 1.2m | 24134m | 5m/s | 96% |
| 09:00 | 28% | 1.1m | 17840m | 3.4m/s | 97% |
| 10:00 | 32% | 1.1m | 15459m | 2.9m/s | 99% |
| 11:00 | 17% | 1.1m | 6703m | 5.7m/s | 99% |
| 12:00 | 17% | 1.1m | 9915m | 7.6m/s | 99% |
| 13:00 | 17% | 1.1m | 6511m | 8.3m/s | 99% |
| 14:00 | 25% | 1.1m | 11473m | 8.6m/s | 99% |
| 15:00 | 22% | 1.1m | 6716m | 8.9m/s | 99% |
| 16:00 | 24% | 1.1m | 6574m | 8.6m/s | 99% |
| 17:00 | 30% | 1.1m | 11630m | 8.4m/s | 88% |
| 18:00 | 8.7% | 1.1m | 8258m | 8.8m/s | 76% |
| 19:00 | 8.1% | 1.1m | 6639m | 8.4m/s | 65% |
| 20:00 | 7.2% | 1.1m | 6925m | 7.8m/s | 69% |
| 21:00 | 10% | 1.1m | 18075m | 9.2m/s | 74% |
| 22:00 | 7.6% | 1.1m | 11478m | 7.7m/s | 79% |
| 23:00 | 10% | 1.1m | 24134m | 7.9m/s | 67% |
| Wed, May 27 | |||||
| 24:00 | 9.9% | 1.1m | 24135m | 8.3m/s | 54% |
| 01:00 | 12% | 1.1m | 16372m | 4.6m/s | 42% |
| 02:00 | 9.6% | 1.1m | 19106m | 3.7m/s | 46% |
| 03:00 | 6.9% | 1.1m | 3525m | 1.7m/s | 49% |
| 04:00 | 5.3% | 1.1m | 1042m | 1.1m/s | 52% |
| 05:00 | 5.4% | 1.1m | 8740m | 1m/s | 55% |
| 06:00 | 15% | 1.1m | 16437m | 0.98m/s | 58% |
| 07:00 | 17% | 1.1m | 24135m | 0.9m/s | 62% |
| 08:00 | 18% | 1.1m | 22347m | 2m/s | 68% |
| 09:00 | 17% | 1.2m | 20559m | 3m/s | 74% |
| 10:00 | 15% | 1.2m | 18770m | 4.1m/s | 80% |
| 11:00 | 13% | 1.2m | 15626m | 3.9m/s | 84% |
| 12:00 | 10% | 1.2m | 12482m | 3.7m/s | 87% |
| 13:00 | 9.3% | 1.2m | 9337m | 3.4m/s | 90% |
| 14:00 | 13% | 1.2m | 13799m | 2.9m/s | 92% |
| 15:00 | 14% | 1.2m | 18262m | 2.4m/s | 94% |
| 16:00 | 21% | 1.2m | 22724m | 1.9m/s | 95% |
| 17:00 | 19% | 1.2m | 21994m | 2.7m/s | 95% |
| 18:00 | 5.8% | 1.2m | 21264m | 3.5m/s | 95% |
| 19:00 | 6.2% | 1.2m | 20535m | 4.2m/s | 95% |
| 20:00 | 5.6% | 1.2m | 19339m | 5m/s | 96% |
| 21:00 | 5.6% | 1.1m | 18144m | 5.7m/s | 97% |
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/Sydney | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, May 24
Sunrise 06:46
Sunset 16:57 | ||||||||||||
| 23:00 ☾ | 95% | 20% | 99% | 0.58m | 146° | 0.09 | -73° | 99% | 75° | 1.1m/s | 1.5m | 7.8s |
| Mon, May 25
Sunrise 06:46
Sunset 16:57 | ||||||||||||
| 24:00 ☾ | 88% | 3% | 61% | 0.6m | 146° | 0.08 | -77° | 88% | 76° | 0.75m/s | 1.5m | 7.8s |
| 01:00 ☾ | 100% | 52% | 100% | 0.62m | 146° | 0.08 | -70° | 100% | 304° | 0.94m/s | 1.4m | 7.7s |
| 02:00 ☾ | 15% | 75% | 100% | 0.64m | 145° | 0.08 | -59° | 100% | 282° | 1.6m/s | 1.4m | 9.7s |
| 03:00 ☾ | 34% | 99% | 89% | 0.67m | 144° | 0.09 | -47° | 99% | 261° | 2.3m/s | 1.4m | 12s |
| 04:00 ☾ | 89% | 95% | 5% | 0.69m | 144° | 0.08 | -34° | 97% | 245° | 2.1m/s | 1.3m | 14s |
| 05:00 ☾ | 97% | 97% | 5% | 0.7m | 144° | 0.07 | -22° | 98% | 216° | 1.6m/s | 1.3m | 13s |
| 06:00 ☾ | 98% | 100% | 14% | 0.72m | 144° | 0.07 | -9.9° | 100% | 219° | 1.4m/s | 1.3m | 13s |
| 07:00 ☾ | 62% | 100% | 37% | 0.73m | 144° | 0.08 | 1.9° | 100% | 265° | 1.4m/s | 1.3m | 13s |
| 08:00 ☾ | 46% | 86% | 26% | 0.73m | 144° | 0.08 | 12° | 86% | 261° | 1.3m/s | 1.3m | 13s |
| 09:00 ☾ | 7% | 99% | 4% | 0.74m | 144° | 0.07 | 22° | 99% | 272° | 1.2m/s | 1.3m | 13s |
| 10:00 | 40% | 99% | 1% | 0.74m | 145° | 0.08 | 29° | 99% | 297° | 1.3m/s | 1.3m | 13s |
| 11:00 | 50% | 100% | 0% | 0.75m | 145° | 0.08 | 34° | 100% | 303° | 1.5m/s | 1.3m | 12s |
| 12:00 | 18% | 98% | 0% | 0.76m | 145° | 0.07 | 35° | 98% | 315° | 0.77m/s | 1.3m | 10s |
| 13:00 | 67% | 90% | 0% | 0.77m | 145° | 0.08 | 33° | 92% | 10° | 0.77m/s | 1.3m | 9.1s |
| 14:00 | 100% | 28% | 0% | 0.76m | 145° | 0.07 | 27° | 100% | 42° | 1.5m/s | 1.3m | 9.1s |
| 15:00 | 31% | 18% | 0% | 0.76m | 145° | 0.07 | 19° | 31% | 55° | 1.8m/s | 1.3m | 9s |
| 16:00 | 97% | 76% | 0% | 0.75m | 144° | 0.06 | 9.6° | 97% | 66° | 1.8m/s | 1.3m | 9s |
| 17:00 ☾ | 5% | 87% | 0% | 0.75m | 145° | 0.06 | -1.2° | 87% | 71° | 1.8m/s | 1.3m | 10s |
| 18:00 ☾ | 4% | 87% | 0% | 0.75m | 145° | 0.06 | -13° | 87% | 57° | 1.6m/s | 1.3m | 11s |
| 19:00 ☾ | 10% | 73% | 0% | 0.75m | 145° | 0.07 | -25° | 73% | 50° | 1.6m/s | 1.3m | 12s |
| 20:00 ☾ | 3% | 50% | 0% | 0.75m | 145° | 0.08 | -38° | 50% | 40° | 1.6m/s | 1.2m | 12s |
| 21:00 ☾ | 39% | 20% | 52% | 0.75m | 145° | 0.09 | -50° | 61% | 27° | 1.4m/s | 1.2m | 12s |
| 22:00 ☾ | 100% | 4% | 87% | 0.75m | 145° | 0.09 | -62° | 100% | 37° | 1.3m/s | 1.2m | 12s |
| 23:00 ☾ | 100% | 6% | 100% | 0.76m | 145° | - | -73° | 100% | 71° | 0.79m/s | 1.1m | 12s |
| Tue, May 26
Sunrise 06:47
Sunset 16:56 | ||||||||||||
| 24:00 ☾ | 99% | 12% | 84% | 0.76m | 145° | - | -77° | 99% | 47° | 1.3m/s | 1.1m | 12s |
| 01:00 ☾ | 100% | 20% | 89% | 0.77m | 145° | - | -70° | 100% | 54° | 0.49m/s | 1m | 12s |
| 02:00 ☾ | 100% | 29% | 100% | 0.78m | 145° | - | -59° | 100% | 186° | 0.26m/s | 1m | 12s |
| 03:00 ☾ | 98% | 14% | 100% | 0.8m | 145° | - | -47° | 100% | 183° | 1.5m/s | 0.96m | 12s |
| 04:00 ☾ | 14% | 26% | 98% | 0.81m | 144° | - | -34° | 98% | 225° | 1.3m/s | 0.92m | 12s |
| 05:00 ☾ | 0% | 48% | 98% | 0.93m | 144° | - | -22° | 98% | 225° | 1.7m/s | 0.81m | 12s |
| 06:00 ☾ | 0% | 100% | 100% | 1.1m | 144° | - | -10° | 100% | 237° | 1.7m/s | 0.7m | 12s |
| 07:00 ☾ | 0% | 100% | 99% | 1.2m | 144° | - | 1.8° | 100% | 233° | 1.8m/s | 0.59m | 12s |
| 08:00 ☾ | 0% | 42% | 100% | 1.2m | 144° | - | 12° | 100% | 181° | 2.4m/s | 0.57m | 12s |
| 09:00 ☾ | 0% | 41% | 10% | 1.1m | 144° | - | 21° | 41% | 165° | 2.1m/s | 0.56m | 12s |
| 10:00 | 0% | 64% | 49% | 1.1m | 144° | - | 29° | 64% | 112° | 1.7m/s | 0.54m | 12s |
| 11:00 | 0% | 100% | 100% | 1.1m | 144° | - | 34° | 100% | 64° | 3.4m/s | 0.57m | 12s |
| 12:00 | 0% | 98% | 70% | 1.1m | 144° | - | 35° | 98% | 53° | 4.1m/s | 0.6m | 12s |
| 13:00 | 3% | 100% | 100% | 1.1m | 143° | - | 33° | 100% | 51° | 4.7m/s | 0.63m | 12s |
| 14:00 | 5% | 86% | 42% | 1.1m | 143° | - | 27° | 86% | 54° | 4.1m/s | 0.63m | 12s |
| 15:00 | 3% | 80% | 59% | 1.1m | 143° | - | 19° | 80% | 48° | 4.9m/s | 0.63m | 12s |
| 16:00 | 99% | 63% | 18% | 1.1m | 143° | - | 9.5° | 99% | 48° | 4.6m/s | 0.63m | 12s |
| 17:00 ☾ | 100% | 49% | 28% | 1.1m | 143° | - | -1.3° | 100% | 44° | 3.9m/s | 0.63m | 12s |
| 18:00 ☾ | 100% | 88% | 76% | 1.1m | 143° | - | -13° | 100% | 37° | 3.7m/s | 0.63m | 12s |
| 19:00 ☾ | 77% | 99% | 94% | 1.1m | 143° | - | -25° | 100% | 44° | 3.6m/s | 0.63m | 12s |
| 20:00 ☾ | 5% | 99% | 52% | 1.1m | 143° | - | -38° | 99% | 31° | 3.4m/s | 0.69m | 12s |
| 21:00 ☾ | 0% | 93% | 94% | 1m | 143° | - | -50° | 94% | 34° | 4.8m/s | 0.76m | 12s |
| 22:00 ☾ | 0% | 100% | 99% | 0.94m | 143° | - | -62° | 100% | 24° | 3.7m/s | 0.82m | 11s |
| 23:00 ☾ | 0% | 71% | 91% | 0.94m | 143° | - | -73° | 91% | 71° | 4.3m/s | 0.82m | 11s |
| Wed, May 27
Sunrise 06:47
Sunset 16:56 | ||||||||||||
| 24:00 ☾ | 0% | 5% | 10% | 0.94m | 143° | - | -77° | 10% | 30° | 3.9m/s | 0.83m | 11s |
| 01:00 ☾ | 0% | 17% | 71% | 0.94m | 144° | - | -70° | 71% | 357° | 2m/s | 0.83m | 11s |
| 02:00 ☾ | 5% | 47% | 28% | 0.87m | 143° | - | -59° | 50% | 315° | 1.8m/s | 0.83m | 11s |
| 03:00 ☾ | 4% | 51% | 16% | 0.8m | 143° | - | -47° | 51% | 282° | 1.5m/s | 0.82m | 11s |
| 04:00 ☾ | 5% | 55% | 94% | 0.73m | 143° | - | -34° | 94% | 276° | 1.1m/s | 0.82m | 11s |
| 05:00 ☾ | 37% | 38% | 96% | 0.72m | 143° | - | -22° | 96% | 224° | 1m/s | 0.84m | 11s |
| 06:00 ☾ | 68% | 20% | 98% | 0.72m | 143° | - | -10° | 98% | 171° | 0.96m/s | 0.86m | 11s |
| 07:00 ☾ | 100% | 3% | 100% | 0.71m | 143° | - | 1.7° | 100% | 119° | 0.89m/s | 0.88m | 11s |
| 08:00 ☾ | 72% | 20% | 98% | 0.71m | 143° | - | 12° | 98% | 117° | 1.5m/s | 0.9m | 11s |
| 09:00 ☾ | 43% | 36% | 97% | 0.7m | 143° | - | 21° | 97% | 114° | 2.1m/s | 0.93m | 11s |
| 10:00 | 15% | 53% | 95% | 0.7m | 142° | - | 29° | 95% | 112° | 2.8m/s | 0.95m | 11s |
| 11:00 | 43% | 68% | 97% | 0.7m | 142° | - | 33° | 97% | 119° | 2.3m/s | 0.96m | 11s |
| 12:00 | 72% | 84% | 98% | 0.69m | 142° | - | 35° | 98% | 126° | 1.8m/s | 0.98m | 11s |
| 13:00 | 100% | 99% | 100% | 0.69m | 142° | - | 33° | 100% | 134° | 1.3m/s | 0.99m | 11s |
| 14:00 | 100% | 77% | 100% | 0.69m | 142° | - | 27° | 100% | 147° | 1.3m/s | 1m | 11s |
| 15:00 | 100% | 55% | 100% | 0.68m | 142° | - | 19° | 100% | 161° | 1.4m/s | 1m | 11s |
| 16:00 | 100% | 34% | 100% | 0.68m | 143° | - | 9.4° | 100% | 175° | 1.4m/s | 1m | 11s |
| 17:00 ☾ | 99% | 43% | 73% | 0.68m | 143° | - | -1.4° | 99% | 171° | 1.5m/s | 0.99m | 11s |
| 18:00 ☾ | 98% | 52% | 46% | 0.67m | 143° | - | -13° | 98% | 168° | 1.7m/s | 0.98m | 10s |
| 19:00 ☾ | 98% | 62% | 20% | 0.67m | 142° | - | -25° | 98% | 165° | 1.9m/s | 0.96m | 10s |
| 20:00 ☾ | 98% | 56% | 15% | 0.65m | 142° | - | -38° | 98% | 159° | 2.2m/s | 0.93m | 10s |
| 21:00 ☾ | 99% | 49% | 10% | 0.64m | 142° | - | -50° | 99% | 154° | 2.4m/s | 0.91m | 10s |
| 22:00 ☾ | 100% | 43% | 5% | 0.62m | 142° | - | -62° | 100% | 148° | 2.7m/s | 0.88m | 10s |
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.
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