
Surf Forecasts:
Catherine Hill Bay surf forecast from 10 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 11 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 10s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 17 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, SE swell with 804 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 11 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 9s period with ENE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Catherine Hill Bay this week:
The surf forecast for Catherine Hill Bay over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 9s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Catherine Hill Bay in the next 16 days are 2.5m 8s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 11s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Tue 11th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Tue 11th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Catherine Hill Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Look, I won’t sugarcoat it – we’ve got a bit of a slow start ahead for Catherine Hill Bay. The first couple of days are nothing to get excited about, but there are a couple of windows where it’ll be worth paddling out. It’s not a total write-off, and the end of the run has some real promise if you can wait it out.
The water temp is sitting about average for this time of year, so no dramas there – just your usual winter wetsuit.
Alright, let’s get into it. We’re looking at Tuesday the 11th. Early morning and afternoon both have small 2ft swell coming from the ENE with a 9-second period, but the energy is weak, reading just 78. The wind is offshore from the west though, so the surface will be clean. It’s surfable, but honestly, it’s pretty ordinary – more of a longboard cruise than anything.
Wednesday the 12th is the first real standout. Morning session is the pick. Swell builds to 4ft from the south with a moderate 327 energy reading. The wind is offshore from the west, moderate breeze, so the waves will be clean. The break is exposed to the swell and handles that south direction well. It’s a consistent spot, and while crowds are sometimes an issue, with conditions this good it’s worth the company. This is the best wave on offer in the first week.
Thursday the 13th drops right off – morning only 1ft and very weak energy (39), then the afternoon gets messy with 6ft but cross-onshore wind making it choppy and poor. Friday the 14th has a clean morning with 3ft south swell and light offshore wind, but the period is short at 7 seconds and energy is only moderate (176). Saturday the 15th is a write-off with strong onshore winds and choppy conditions. Sunday the 16th through to the 24th is mostly poor – a long stretch of cross-onshore or onshore winds, lumpy conditions, and weak to moderate energy. Not worth a paddle.
Now, for those hanging out for the second week, Monday the 24th wakes up. The morning has a solid 6ft south swell with very strong energy (604) and a fresh offshore wind from the WNW. This will be clean, powerful, and punchy – it’s the standout of the whole forecast period. The swell direction matches the break’s optimum ESE direction, so it’ll wrap in nicely. It’s a consistent break, and with these conditions, it’ll be a magnet for the crew – expect crowds on this one.
Tuesday the 25th keeps the swell going at 6ft in the morning with clean conditions, then the afternoon pushes up to 8ft but gets a cross-shore chop. Wednesday the 26th morning looks good again with 6ft from the SSE and a light offshore wind, and a “very good surf conditions” tag.
So, bottom line: If you’re keen, paddle out Wednesday the 12th morning for the best early window. If you’ve got patience, the absolute pick is Monday the 24th morning – that’s your big, clean south swell. Don’t bother with the long flat spell in between. Stay stoked.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Wed afternoon. Warm (max 20°C on Tue afternoon, min 11°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WNW on Mon night, light winds from the NW by Wed morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat morning, min 10°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 12 | S 10 | S 9 | S 8 | ENE 10 | S 9 | S 8 | S 7 | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 7 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | S 6 | SSE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
115 | 75 | 75 | 674 | 273 | 164 | 140 | 31 | 440 | 260 | 103 | 157 | 181 | 203 | 387 | 194 | 89 | 188 | 713 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 7:00AM1.12m | 7:02PM1.76m | 7:49AM1.19m | 7:50PM1.78m | 8:34AM1.25m | 8:36PM1.75m | 9:17AM1.31m | 9:20PM1.66m | 9:59AM1.35m | 10:02PM1.53m | 10:40AM1.36m | 10:44PM1.37m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:02AM0.06m | 12:29PM0.27m | 1:50AM-0.01m | 1:22PM0.22m | 2:33AM-0.04m | 2:13PM0.19m | 3:13AM-0.03m | 3:02PM0.19m | 3:51AM0.02m | 3:50PM0.22m | 4:26AM0.10m | 4:39PM0.28m | |||||||
— | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:23 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 3 | — | 1 | 2 |
Temp °C | 16 | 19 | 20 | 13 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 |
Feels °C | 10 | 15 | 15 | 6 | 14 | 13 | 8 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | SSW 7 | S 11 | S 12 | S 10 | S 9 | S 8 | ENE 10 | S 9 | S 8 | S 7 | S 8 | S 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | S 7 | S 7 | S 11 | ENE 10 |
115 | 91 | 584 | 674 | 273 | 164 | 140 | 31 | 440 | 260 | 103 | 157 | 181 | 17 | 18 | 194 | 89 | 39 | 20 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 13 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | S 16 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | S 15 | S 15 | ESE 6 | ESE 5 | ENE 10 | S 13 |
4 | 75 | 75 | 47 | 54 | 52 | 52 | 5 | 29 | 29 | 42 | 30 | 29 | 19 | 38 | 20 | 17 | 20 | 14 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 12 | — | ENE 9 | NNE 8 | — | S 13 | S 12 | — | S 15 | ENE 10 | S 19 | S 19 | — | S 14 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | S 16 | — |
3 | 3 | — | 54 | 6 | — | 3 | 3 | — | 5 | 31 | 29 | 63 | — | 4 | 18 | 19 | 20 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 5 | W 4 | NW 3 | W 3 | NW 3 | NW 3 | WSW 4 | S 7 | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 7 | S 7 | — | — | S 6 | SSE 8 |
60 | 9 | 3 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 10 | 124 | — | — | — | — | — | 203 | 387 | — | — | 188 | 713 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 193 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 6 | 15 | 230 | 0 | 15 | 263 | 310 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Newcastle | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Catherine Hill Bay Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Catherine Hill Bay provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Catherine Hill Bay can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Catherine Hill Bay 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 (Catherine Hill Bay) 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 Catherine Hill Bay 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.
Catherine Hill Bay is 2 km (1 miles) from the city of Catherine Hill Bay. If you plan a holiday in Newcastle, look for hotels and other accommodation in Catherine Hill Bay. Catherine Hill Bay has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











