Frenchmans Reef surfForecast / NSW – Newcastle / Australia

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 10 pm Monday 23 Mar 2026 AEDT
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
24.5° C
(Which is 1.1°C warmer than 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 (Mar 25) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Frenchmans Reef in the next 16 days are 6.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Mar 27) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 5s period and expected on Friday (Mar 27) at 11AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Wed 25th Mar)4.5ft (1.4m) 9s
Best Surf11PM (Wed 25th Mar)7.5ft (2.3m) 13s
Most Powerful11PM (Fri 27th Mar)21ft (6.5m) 13s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Thu afternoon, min 18°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Moderate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Fri afternoon. Warm (max 22°C on Thu night, min 12°C on Fri afternoon). Winds increasing (light winds from the SW on Thu night, strong winds from the SW by Fri night).

Tuesday
24
Wednesday
25
Thursday
26
Friday
27
Saturday
28
Sunday
29
Mon
30
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
2
1
1
!
!
0
4
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
2
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.2
E
1.2
ENE
1.3
ENE
1.4
ENE
1.6
E
1.6
ENE
2.5
ENE
2.3
E
2.1
E
2
E
2.1
S
2.5
SSW
6
S
5
S
4.5
S
3.5
S
2.5
SSE
2.3
SSE
2.1
SSE
1.8
SSE
1.6
SSE
Period(s) (?)788991013121211910131212111010101010
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)131192246326440523196116071225102369912871296179385146257314791118849603443
Wind
(km/h)
15
NE
15
E
15
ESE
5
NNE
5
S
10
ESE
5
NW
10
N
25
ENE
20
WNW
25
WSW
45
WSW
35
SW
25
SW
25
S
20
SW
20
SW
20
S
10
SE
10
ESE
10
SE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
ononglasscrossonglasscrosscross-
on
offoffoffcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
12:30AM
1.40
1:10PM
0.97
1:28AM
1.35
2:22PM
0.88
2:38AM
1.30
3:54PM
0.85
3:58AM
1.29
5:24PM
0.90
5:17AM
1.31
6:26PM
1.00
6:22AM
1.36
7:13PM
1.11
7:16AM
1.39
7:53PM
1.22
Low Tide
/ height (m)
7:18AM
0.26
6:52PM
0.39
8:30AM
0.31
7:56PM
0.46
9:51AM
0.32
9:13PM
0.50
11:09AM
0.29
10:36PM
0.48
12:12PM
0.24
11:51PM
0.41
1:01PM
0.20
12:53AM
0.33
1:43PM
0.16
Tuesday
24
Wednesday
25
Thursday
26
Friday
27
Saturday
28
Sunday
29
Mon
30
Sunrise-6:58--6:58--7:00--7:00--7:01--7:01--7:03-
Sunset--7:00--6:59--6:57--6:55--6:54--6:52--6:52
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
mod rain
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
Rain (mm)
---------7-65--------
Temp. °C222323222223212426221615151520191821212222
Feels °C (?)222221222323222424211286915141418192021
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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