Coastal Wave Buoys

Building a national picture of Australia’s coastal waves

Sep 7, 2026

Waves are a fundamental component of the ocean–atmosphere system, transporting energy and momentum across the ocean and playing an important role in understanding climate variability. Accurate observations of coastal waves are critical for understanding and predicting coastal processes. Wave measurements are used to develop, validate and improve numerical models, support hazard forecasting and data assimilation,…

Lost Wilsons Promontory wave buoy completes extraordinary Tasman voyage

May 11, 2026

A wave buoy deployed off Wilsons Promontory as part of the IMOS Coastal Wave Buoys Facility has completed an unexpected journey across the Tasman Sea, sparking a unique classroom connection between coastal scientists and schoolchildren at Halfmoon Bay School. The Sofar Spotter wave buoy, deployed as part of the near-shore coastal observing infrastructure operated by…

New network of coastal buoys delivering wave data around Australia

Jun 30, 2025

IMOS is bringing together a national network of wave buoys to help understand the processes and changes driven by waves in the coastal zone. A national network of wave buoys is being coordinated by IMOS, led by Dr Mike Cuttler and Professor Ryan Lowe at The University of Western Australia (UWA), with buoys recently deployed…

Introducing the new IMOS Coastal Wave Buoys Facility

Apr 23, 2024

IMOS is establishing a national network of wave buoys to help understand the processes and changes driven by waves in the coastal zone. Australia has one of the longest coastlines in the world and this dynamic intersection between land and sea includes numerous critical ecosystems and infrastructure. Our coastal zone is also where many of…