Surf Forecasts:
Bar Reef surf forecast from 3 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 11s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 8 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 9s period, S swell with 1,190 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 4 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 10s period with SSE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Bar Reef this week:
The surf forecast for Bar Reef over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Bar Reef in the next 16 days are 2.5m 9s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 05) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Bar Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again, this time in feet and miles. We got a reef break that catches south swell, best when it’s coming from the southeast. It’s an inconsistent spot, and when there’s waves, you’ll likely see a crowd. Water temp’s around 66°, normal for this time of year.
Thursday morning (the 3rd) is a no-go – poor waves, 2ft south swell, 10-second period, with 19 mph offshore wind. Swell energy is weak (84). That quiet run lasts through Saturday afternoon – just small 2ft to 2ft stuff.
Here’s your first real moment: Friday morning (the 4th). Glassy wind, 3ft south swell at 11 seconds. Energy jumps to moderate (209). It’s clean, small, but the best we’ve had.
Monday the 7th brings a light offshore and 4ft south swell, 9 seconds. Energy is moderate (219). Clean. Then Tuesday the 8th gets chunky – 8ft south swell, cross-shore wind at 12 mph, and strong energy (2164). That’s big for this reef, maybe too much for beginners, but experienced crew will find power, even if the wind isn’t perfect.
The absolute standout is Friday the 11th. Glassy wind, 4ft swell from the SSE – that’s the sweet spot direction – with a 12-second period. Energy is 513 (moderate-strong). Clean, lined-up, and that period gives the waves some real push. That’s the session to chase.
After that, it drops off. Saturday the 12th has a clean 4ft SSE swell, then it goes tiny – 1ft to 2ft for days with occasional offshore winds but not enough swell. A real dry patch from the 13th through the 17th.
Way out on Friday the 18th, a huge 12ft south swell is predicted, with a 16 mph offshore. Energy is extreme (4060). But the word is that’s too big for this break – experts only, and even then, it’s a gamble. A long-range maybe.
Catch you on the next one.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NW on Thu morning, calm by Fri morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Mon afternoon, min 11°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Sun night, fresh winds from the SSW by Mon night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | S 11 | S 10 | SSE 14 | S 10 | S 9 | S 10 | S 6 | S 12 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | SSE 9 | S 9 | SSE 8 | S 9 | S 8 | SSE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 50 | 51 | 33 | 166 | 179 | 68 | 49 | 61 | 44 | 51 | 213 | 262 | 203 | 194 | 223 | 1190 | 731 | 259 | 175 | 107 | 359 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | on | off | off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 12:22PM1.51m | 00:54AM1.12m | 1:26PM1.51m | 2:14AM1.04m | 2:41PM1.52m | 3:47AM1.04m | 3:58PM1.58m | 5:08AM1.11m | 5:08PM1.65m | 6:07AM1.21m | 6:08PM1.71m | 6:55AM1.32m | 6:59PM1.74m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:02PM0.42m | 6:42AM0.47m | 8:22PM0.44m | 7:51AM0.54m | 9:49PM0.40m | 9:11AM0.55m | 11:04PM0.32m | 10:30AM0.51m | 00:02AM0.23m | 11:39AM0.42m | 00:51AM0.15m | 12:36PM0.33m | 1:33AM0.11m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | | | | | |  |  | | | | | | |
 | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — |
 | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 26 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 28 | 29 | 26 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 22 | 24 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 16 |
Feels °C | 22 | 21 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 18 | 22 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 5 | S 11 | S 10 | S 8 | S 10 | S 9 | S 10 | S 6 | S 9 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | SSE 9 | E 10 | SSE 8 | S 9 | S 8 | SSE 8 |
| kJ | 50 | 51 | 8 | 166 | 179 | 44 | 49 | 61 | 44 | 51 | 155 | 262 | 203 | 194 | 223 | 972 | 2 | 259 | 175 | 107 | 359 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | SSE 10 | S 6 | E 10 | SSE 14 | S 7 | ENE 5 | NE 6 | ENE 7 | S 12 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 10 | — | SE 10 | SE 8 | E 9 | S 15 |
| kJ | 18 | 18 | 33 | 25 | 7 | 68 | 26 | 5 | 11 | 4 | 213 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 2 | 2 | — | 16 | 93 | 2 | 110 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 13 | S 20 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | S 18 | NE 4 | E 9 | E 9 | E 11 | E 10 | ENE 10 | — | E 10 | ENE 10 | E 11 | — | — | E 10 | E 9 | S 18 | E 16 |
| kJ | 16 | 8 | 17 | 18 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 10 | — | 8 | 9 | 2 | — | — | 2 | 2 | 6 | 5 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 4 | W 3 | W 3 | — | — | WNW 3 | NNW 3 | WNW 3 | WNW 3 | — | — | — | NW 2 | NE 4 | S 6 | S 9 | S 9 | — | — | SE 8 | — |
| kJ | 12 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 120 | 1190 | 731 | — | — | 107 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 45 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 3 | 268 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 70 | 6 | 45 | 6 | 4 | 257 | 128 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Newcastle | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Bar Reef Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Bar Reef provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Bar Reef can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Bar Reef 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 Reef) 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 Reef 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.
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