Frenchmans Reef Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.10° S 151.66° E

Frenchmans Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 am 17 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Frenchmans Reef sea temperature is
17.2° C
1.1° 

Frenchmans Reef surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Frenchmans Reef surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 11s period, ESE swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 9s period, ESE swell with 216 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 11s period with ESE swell.

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 (Aug 19) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 0.7m and 5s is also forecast. 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 1.1m 9s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 2s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Wed 19th Aug)2.5ft (0.7m) 11s
Best Surf 4AM (Wed 19th Aug)2.5ft (0.7m) 11s
Most Powerful 7PM (Wed 19th Aug)3.5ft (1.1m) 9s

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


Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Mon morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed morning, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Warm (max 21°C on Thu morning, 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
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
S
10
1.1
ESE
7
1.2
ESE
7
1.2
ESE
7
1.1
ESE
7
0.7
ESE
11
0.7
ESE
10
1.1
ESE
10
0.8
ESE
9
0.9
E
7
0.6
ESE
7
0.9
ENE
6
0.6
ENE
6
0.5
ENE
6
0.3
S
10
0.5
S
5
0.5
S
8
0.4
NE
6
0.2
S
17
0.4
SSW
9
0.5
S
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
116
113
135
128
118
116
90
210
101
70
37
66
30
20
16
14
33
12
28
30
44
Wind (km/h)
10
ESE
15
ESE
15
E
15
E
15
E
5
NE
0
NNE
15
ENE
15
N
15
N
20
NNE
5
N
10
WSW
20
NW
15
W
5
SW
15
ESE
5
WNW
5
ENE
20
ENE
15
N
Wind State
on
cross-on
on
on
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
on
glassy
glassy
cross-on
cross
High Tide
11:26AM1.23m
11:36PM1.12m
12:11PM1.19m
00:18AM0.98m
12:58PM1.15m
1:07AM0.85m
1:53PM1.11m
2:10AM0.75m
2:56PM1.09m
3:39AM0.70m
4:02PM1.11m
5:05AM0.73m
4:58PM1.15m
Low Tide
5:40PM0.28m
5:50AM0.23m
6:34PM0.35m
6:28AM0.31m
7:34PM0.41m
7:08AM0.37m
8:46PM0.45m
7:56AM0.43m
10:07PM0.44m
8:53AM0.46m
11:14PM0.39m
9:56AM0.46m
00:00AM0.32m
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
light rain
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:30
6:28
6:26
6:26
6:24
6:24
6:22
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:24
5:25
5:25
5:27
5:28
5:28
5:29
 mm
1
3
1
Temp °C
16
16
16
16
16
16
17
17
16
21
21
18
15
14
14
16
16
15
16
17
16
Feels °C
14
13
13
13
13
14
15
14
14
17
17
16
13
11
12
13
13
14
14
14
14
  • 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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