Frenchmans Reef surfForecast / NSW – Newcastle / Australia

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 3 am Tuesday 28 Apr 2026 AEST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Frenchmans Reef surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Frenchmans Reef sea temperature is
22.7° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Frenchmans Reef this week:

The surf forecast for Frenchmans Reef over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Apr 29) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 3s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Frenchmans Reef in the next 16 days are 2.2m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (May 03) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (May 05) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Wed 29th Apr)2ft (0.6m) 8s
Best Surf 1AM (Sun 3rd May)7ft (2.2m) 10s
Most Powerful 1AM (Sun 3rd May)7ft (2.2m) 10s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Frenchmans Reef over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Thu morning. Warm (max 21°C on Thu afternoon, min 16°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Fri night. Warm (max 22°C on Sun morning, min 17°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Friday
1
Saturday
2
Sunday
3
Monday
4
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
1
2
0
!
1
0
!
3
0
2
Swell
Height Map
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
ENE
7
0.5
ENE
8
0.6
ENE
8
0.8
ENE
8
0.9
ENE
8
0.9
ENE
8
0.9
ENE
8
1.1
E
8
1
ENE
8
1
E
8
1.1
E
8
1.3
ENE
8
1.3
E
8
1.8
E
9
2.2
ENE
10
1.9
ENE
10
1.8
ENE
10
2.1
ENE
10
1.8
E
10
1.9
ENE
9
2
ENE
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
41
32
55
87
109
99
109
157
133
121
157
229
239
498
1007
739
653
817
602
626
586
Wind (km/h)
0
SW
10
E
10
NNW
5
S
15
ESE
5
E
5
S
15
ENE
10
N
0
SSW
15
E
10
NE
5
NNE
25
ENE
15
NE
10
NE
25
ENE
15
NNE
5
NNW
20
ENE
15
N
glassy
on
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
on
cross-off
cross-on
cross
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross
High Tide
6:24PM1.34m
6:36AM1.27m
7:02PM1.42m
7:18AM1.24m
7:38PM1.48m
7:59AM1.20m
8:14PM1.51m
8:38AM1.14m
8:49PM1.50m
9:16AM1.08m
9:24PM1.48m
9:55AM1.02m
9:59PM1.43m
Low Tide
12:01PM0.26m
00:31AM0.32m
12:38PM0.26m
1:18AM0.27m
1:13PM0.26m
2:02AM0.24m
1:47PM0.27m
2:45AM0.23m
2:21PM0.30m
3:26AM0.24m
2:53PM0.34m
4:07AM0.26m
3:26PM0.39m
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:22
6:24
6:24
6:26
6:26
6:26
6:28
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:16
5:15
5:15
5:14
5:13
5:12
5:10
1
1
2
Temp °C
19
20
19
20
20
20
20
21
20
20
21
20
21
21
20
22
21
21
24
24
21
20
19
18
20
18
19
20
19
19
20
20
19
19
18
19
20
19
21
23
22
20
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
ENE
7
0.5
ENE
8
0.6
ENE
8
0.8
ENE
8
0.9
ENE
8
0.9
ENE
8
0.9
ENE
8
1.1
E
8
1
ENE
8
1
E
8
1.1
E
8
1.3
ENE
8
1.3
E
8
1.8
E
9
1.9
ENE
10
1.9
ENE
10
0.1
S
14
2.1
ENE
10
1.8
E
10
0.1
S
11
2
ENE
9
Energy kJ
41
32
55
87
109
99
109
157
133
121
157
229
239
498
815
739
4
817
602
2
586
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
E
8
0.4
ESE
8
0.4
E
7
0.2
S
8
0.2
S
8
0.2
S
8
0.3
S
15
0.3
S
13
0.3
S
10
0.3
S
8
0.3
S
8
0.3
S
8
0.2
S
8
0.2
S
8
0.1
S
16
0.1
S
15
0.1
S
13
0.1
S
12
0.1
S
17
Energy kJ
12
19
17
6
5
5
38
30
17
13
11
10
5
5
5
4
3
3
6
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
S
10
0.2
S
10
0.4
NE
3
0.1
S
18
0.1
S
17
0.1
S
19
0.2
S
8
0.2
S
8
0.1
S
15
0.1
S
16
0.1
S
19
0.1
S
18
0.1
S
18
0.1
S
10
Energy kJ
2
8
2
6
6
7
5
4
4
5
7
6
6
2
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
NE
3
0.2
ESE
2
2.2
ENE
10
1.8
ENE
10
1.9
ENE
9
Energy kJ
3
1
1007
653
626
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
2
4
2
4
3
2
3
2
Distance (km)
0
263
0
0
22
22
0
97
2
0
52
11
0
113
20
11
316
9
0
157
2
Best forecast wave conditions in Newcastle
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
4
3
4
3
3
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia
Rating
(10 max)
5
4
5
4
4
5
4
4
4
3
4
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
5
9
7
5
7
5
4
6
7
5
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
5
7
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the Frenchmans Reef Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Frenchmans Reef provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Frenchmans Reef can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Frenchmans 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 (Frenchmans 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 Frenchmans 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.

Frenchmans Reef is 8 km (5 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.

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