Frenchmans Reef surfForecast / NSW – Newcastle / Australia

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 9 pm Tuesday 19 May 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
20.9° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)

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 (May 20) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.4m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 2.0m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 1.8m and 10s 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 2.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (May 24) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Wed 20th May)8ft (2.4m) 8s
Best Surf 1AM (Wed 20th May)8ft (2.4m) 8s
Most Powerful 4PM (Sun 24th May)8ft (2.5m) 12s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Thu morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu night, min 14°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 24mm), heaviest during Mon morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri night, min 16°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat night, strong winds from the SSE by Mon afternoon).

Wednesday
20
Thursday
21
Friday
22
Saturday
23
Sunday
24
Monday
25
Tue
26
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
0
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
2
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.4
S
8
3
S
10
2.5
S
10
3
S
10
2.5
S
9
3
S
8
2.2
SSE
8
2.1
SSE
8
2.3
SE
10
2.1
ESE
10
2.5
ESE
10
2.3
E
11
2.5
E
12
2.4
E
11
2.5
E
12
2.2
E
12
1.9
E
11
1.8
E
12
1.7
E
11
1.7
E
11
1.6
E
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
800
1448
1292
1478
985
1071
554
514
964
884
1406
1257
1702
1478
1738
1277
872
855
701
713
655
Wind (km/h)
15
WSW
15
SW
30
S
20
SW
20
SSW
30
S
25
SSE
25
SSE
25
SSE
25
S
15
E
10
SE
5
E
10
SSW
5
SSE
10
WSW
20
SSE
35
SSE
30
SSE
30
SE
30
SE
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
on
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
cross
off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
10:11PM1.63m
11:06AM1.05m
11:04PM1.57m
12:06PM1.02m
00:00AM1.48m
1:10PM1.02m
1:01AM1.39m
2:18PM1.06m
2:06AM1.30m
3:23PM1.13m
3:13AM1.23m
4:19PM1.21m
4:18AM1.18m
5:08PM1.30m
Low Tide
5:09AM0.16m
4:31PM0.43m
6:06AM0.20m
5:32PM0.49m
7:03AM0.24m
6:39PM0.53m
8:00AM0.28m
7:52PM0.55m
8:55AM0.31m
9:06PM0.54m
9:46AM0.33m
10:17PM0.50m
10:32AM0.34m
rain showers
rain showers
clear
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
cloud
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
mod rain
light rain
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:39
6:39
6:41
6:41
6:41
6:43
6:43
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
4:59
4:59
4:58
4:58
4:57
4:57
4:55
2
1
1
4
4
4
1
3
4
1
1
2
8
5
3
2
1
Temp °C
16
16
16
16
16
17
18
18
17
19
19
19
19
18
18
18
17
18
18
17
17
14
12
10
11
11
12
14
13
12
18
18
19
18
17
18
19
14
11
11
11
11
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2
S
8
2.4
S
10
1.4
ENE
10
2.4
S
10
1.2
E
10
1.1
E
10
1
E
10
0.9
E
9
0.4
S
13
2.1
ESE
10
2.5
ESE
10
2.3
E
11
2.5
E
12
2.4
E
11
2.5
E
12
2.2
E
12
1.9
E
11
1.8
E
12
1.7
E
11
1.7
E
11
1.6
E
11
Energy kJ
540
1070
418
1137
290
245
186
140
56
884
1406
1257
1702
1478
1738
1277
872
855
701
713
655
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.8
ENE
10
1.6
ENE
10
1.2
E
10
0.1
S
16
0.2
S
15
0.3
ENE
10
0.4
SSW
10
1.2
SSE
9
0.1
S
19
0.1
S
15
0.1
S
14
0.1
S
18
0.2
S
16
0.5
S
14
0.5
S
13
0.5
S
12
Energy kJ
721
566
296
5
17
19
35
227
7
4
4
6
20
103
82
72
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
S
15
0.1
S
22
0.1
S
19
Energy kJ
17
9
7
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.4
S
8
3
S
10
2.5
S
10
3
S
10
2.5
S
9
3
S
8
2.2
SSE
8
2.1
SSE
8
2.3
SE
10
1
S
7
0.4
SSW
9
1.1
S
5
2.5
S
8
2.4
SSE
8
1.7
S
7
1.3
S
7
1.5
SSE
7
Energy kJ
800
1448
1292
1478
985
1071
554
514
964
96
28
52
736
644
303
152
204
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
4
5
4
4
4
1
3
2
2
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
2
3
1
Distance (km)
0
21
74
13
14
23
74
150
162
74
58
14
0
0
13
0
14
456
270
198
89
Best forecast wave conditions in Newcastle
Rating
(10 max)
4
5
4
4
1
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia
Rating
(10 max)
4
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
7
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
4
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
4
5
5
4
4
4
4
5
5
7
5
5
9
6
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
  • 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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