Surf Forecasts:
Bar Beach surf forecast from 28 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 10s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 11s period, SSE swell with 572 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 30 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 10s period with SSE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Bar Beach this week:
The surf forecast for Bar Beach over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 30) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Bar Beach in the next 16 days are 1.6m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 03) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bar Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again, same story but in feet and miles per hour for my imperial crew.
We've got a slowish start, but the first real opportunity comes up on Friday morning, August 28th, at Bar Beach. That morning is the standout early call. Swell is about 6 feet from the SSE with an 11-second period, and the wind is glass-off out of the northwest at 5 mph. Combined swell energy is solidly moderate at 752. The water’s around 64° – about average for the time of year. The swell lines up perfectly with the break’s optimum direction from the southeast. It’s a beginner-friendly spot, but with conditions this clean, expect a crowd. Perfect morning for it.
Friday afternoon the wind turns onshore and it gets messy. Saturday August 29th is a complete washout – cross-onshore breeze, choppy conditions, stay home. Sunday morning August 30th is glassy again with light NW wind and small 3-foot waves, but energy is only 233, so it’s a mellow session.
Monday morning August 31st has a glassy 4-foot south swell, period only 8 seconds, but clean. Tuesday morning September 1st offers 3-foot surf with an 11-second period and a cross-off breeze – clean and easy. Wednesday September 2nd is small but offshore – fine for a grovel.
From Thursday September 3rd through to Saturday September 5th morning, there’s a dry spell – a solid three-day gap with barely a ripple. Saturday morning the 5th shows a little life: 2 feet, 12-second period, clean cross-off wind, but it’s weak at 173 combined energy.
Now the big one. Tuesday morning, September 8th at Bar Beach – that’s the session to plan for. Swell hits 8 feet from the SSE, 12-second period, dead calm, glass conditions. Combined energy is a massive 2107. That’s strong, powerful swell. This is expert territory – beginners, stay on the sand. The direction is perfect, and if you can handle it, this is the best day of the whole outlook.
Wednesday September 9th morning cleans up with 4-foot surf and offshore wind, another good one. After that, the swell fades into small, poor-quality leftovers through to the end.
Bottom line: Friday August 28th morning is your clean early entry, but the real heavyweight is Tuesday September 8th morning. That’s the one to chase.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri morning, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Wed afternoon, min 13°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | S 9 | S 10 | S 8 | SSE 15 | SSE 9 | SSE 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | ENE 10 | S 17 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 679 | 478 | 312 | 269 | 485 | 203 | 128 | 123 | 522 | 196 | 240 | 138 | 209 | 198 | 149 | 74 | 50 | 31 | 20 | 18 | 24 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross | glassy | on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 8:17PM1.66m | 8:52AM1.41m | 8:54PM1.63m | 9:27AM1.45m | 9:33PM1.57m | 10:03AM1.49m | 10:13PM1.48m | 10:43AM1.51m | 10:58PM1.36m | 11:28AM1.51m | 11:50PM1.23m | 12:22PM1.51m | 00:54AM1.12m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:02PM0.35m | 2:46AM0.15m | 2:42PM0.30m | 3:18AM0.15m | 3:23PM0.28m | 3:50AM0.18m | 4:07PM0.29m | 4:25AM0.23m | 4:56PM0.32m | 5:03AM0.31m | 5:53PM0.37m | 5:47AM0.39m | 7:02PM0.42m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — |
 | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 22 | 24 | 19 | 24 | 26 | 22 | 28 | 28 | 23 |
Feels °C | 17 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 19 | 21 | 16 | 19 | 22 | 19 | 23 | 24 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | S 8 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | ENE 10 | SSE 11 |
| kJ | 679 | 478 | 312 | 269 | 485 | 203 | 91 | 123 | 293 | 196 | 131 | 138 | 209 | 198 | 149 | 74 | 50 | 31 | 20 | 18 | 23 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 8 | SE 9 | SE 10 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | S 16 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 5 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | S 10 | ENE 10 |
| kJ | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 104 | 128 | 113 | 57 | 153 | 240 | 129 | 22 | 21 | 9 | 33 | 33 | 30 | 18 | 17 | 19 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | ENE 8 | S 11 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | — | — | ENE 10 | NE 5 | SSE 13 | ENE 5 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | S 17 |
| kJ | 60 | 25 | 39 | 28 | 28 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | — | — | 33 | 1 | 18 | 2 | 17 | 15 | 24 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 10 | — | — | NNE 3 | — | NE 3 | WNW 2 | NW 3 | NW 3 | NNW 3 | NW 4 | NW 4 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 522 | — | — | 3 | — | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 11 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 7 | 4 | 41 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 79 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 44 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Newcastle | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Bar Beach Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Bar Beach provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Bar Beach can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Bar Beach surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Bar Beach) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Bar Beach may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Are you planning a holiday in Newcastle? If you are looking for accommodation near Bar Beach, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Newcastle, consider staying in Newcastle which is 2 km (1 miles) away. Other places in and around Newcastle where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Catherine Hill Bay which is 29 km (18 miles) away, Port Stephens, Cessnock and Central Coast.
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