Surf Forecasts:
Fingal Bay surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 8s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 10s period, ESE swell with 269 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 8s period with ESE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Fingal Bay this week:
The surf forecast for Fingal Bay over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Fingal Bay in the next 16 days are 1.2m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 20) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Fingal Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, it's Rusty. Look, I've got to be straight with you –this next couple of weeks for Fingal Bay is a proper struggle. The swell just isn't showing up with any sort of energy that'll get your heart pumping. The best you're looking at is tiny, and even then, the conditions are usually all wrong. There’s a little window of hope, but it's a long stretch of flatness and onshore junk to get through first.
We kick off with nothing. Monday the 17th and Tuesday the 18th are write-offs. The swell is weak, under 4ft, with lumpy cross-onshore winds. The combined energy is pathetic at only 226 to 338 (just mild to moderate), so forget it.
Then, a glimmer. Wednesday morning, the 19th of August, is your one true standout. The breeze goes glassy with a light NNW airflow, and we get a clean 3ft southeast swell with a solid 10-second period. The combined energy is a moderate 231, but it’s that glassy surface that makes it special. This is the only time that feels like a proper surf. The water is 64°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so you'll want a decent suit.
After that brief moment of magic, it’s back to the grind. Late Wednesday afternoon and Thursday the 20th get messy again with onshore winds, even though the swell is tiny. From Friday the 21st all the way through to the end of the month, it’s a sad run. Swell heights barely scrape 2ft, and the combined energy is often under 100 (weak). You'll mostly find choppy, cross-shore junk or small, gutless waves. Saturday the 23rd has a glassy morning, but the swell is only 1ft – barely a ripple.
The final week of August and into September holds no hope. The last week shows nothing but tiny, weak swells (0.7ft to 1ft) with combined energy often less than 50. Even when winds are offshore, there’s just not enough swell to push you around. It's a long, bleak outlook. Save your wax for another week.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Tue morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Mon morning, min 14°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | |||||||||||||||
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 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 9 | ESE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SSW 5 | S 9 | S 9 | S 6 | S 17 | S 9 | S 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 175 | 117 | 153 | 164 | 150 | 136 | 118 | 269 | 225 | 82 | 29 | 14 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 14 | 37 | 13 | 22 | 42 | 40 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | off | glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | off | glassy | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 11:30AM1.52m | 11:32PM1.42m | 12:11PM1.49m | 00:10AM1.27m | 12:55PM1.45m | 00:53AM1.13m | 1:46PM1.43m | 1:48AM1.02m | 2:47PM1.42m | 3:14AM0.96m | 3:53PM1.45m | 4:50AM0.98m | 4:53PM1.50m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:37PM0.51m | 5:47AM0.42m | 6:27PM0.61m | 6:20AM0.51m | 7:26PM0.68m | 6:55AM0.59m | 8:40PM0.72m | 7:38AM0.65m | 10:04PM0.70m | 8:36AM0.69m | 11:12PM0.63m | 9:46AM0.70m | 00:01AM0.54m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | | |  | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | |  | |
 | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — |
 | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:27 | — |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 17 |
Feels °C | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 7 | S 9 | S 9 | S 12 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 10 | E 9 | ESE 7 | SE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | S 6 | S 9 | S 6 | SSW 8 | S 9 | SSW 9 |
| kJ | 140 | 109 | 53 | 97 | 150 | 136 | 84 | 269 | 225 | 82 | 29 | 55 | 21 | 15 | 15 | 11 | 37 | 13 | 22 | 41 | 29 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | — | S 12 | E 9 | S 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | S 8 | E 12 | E 11 | E 10 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SSW 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 9 | NE 9 | ENE 8 |
| kJ | 175 | — | 44 | 7 | 82 | 111 | 118 | 23 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 14 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 20 | 19 | 26 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 17 | — | SE 11 | SE 15 | ESE 13 | S 11 | S 10 | S 14 | S 15 | E 10 | S 14 | E 10 | E 9 | SSW 6 | SSE 7 | S 9 | SE 7 | S 9 | S 17 | S 15 | S 15 |
| kJ | 23 | — | 19 | 9 | 70 | 55 | 29 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 14 | 2 | 6 | 22 | 42 | 40 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | — | — | — | — | NNE 4 | — | ENE 6 | — | — | — | WNW 3 | — | — | — | WSW 3 | — | — |
| kJ | — | 117 | 153 | 164 | — | — | — | — | 11 | — | 68 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 70 | 82 | 119 | 90 | 171 | 0 | 0 | 157 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 1 | 35 | 138 | 128 | 53 | 58 | 128 | 1 | 262 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Newcastle | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Fingal Bay Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Fingal Bay provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Fingal Bay can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Fingal 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 (Fingal 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 Fingal 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.
Fingal Bay is 12 km (7 miles) from the city of Port Stephens. If you plan a holiday in Newcastle, look for hotels and other accommodation in Port Stephens. Port Stephens has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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