Frenchmans Reef surfForecast / NSW – Newcastle / Australia

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 9 am Sunday 26 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
22.3° 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 Monday (Apr 27) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 0.7m and 4s 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 3.5m 9s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (May 03) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Sunday (May 03) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Mon 27th Apr)1.5ft (0.5m) 6s
Best Surf 7PM (Sat 2nd May)8ft (2.4m) 8s
Most Powerful 4AM (Sun 3rd May)11ft (3.5m) 9s

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 21°C on Tue afternoon, min 16°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Wed afternoon, min 16°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Friday
1
Saturday
2
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
0
0
0
1
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
!
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
0.6
ENE
7
0.5
E
6
0.7
E
6
0.7
E
7
0.6
ENE
8
0.6
ENE
7
0.5
ENE
8
0.7
ENE
8
0.7
E
7
0.9
ENE
7
1.1
ENE
8
1.2
ENE
7
1.2
ENE
7
1.1
ENE
8
1
ENE
8
0.9
ENE
8
1.3
ENE
8
1.6
E
9
2
ENE
9
2.5
ENE
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
38
35
21
41
45
51
42
32
56
47
91
143
156
164
147
123
94
212
384
573
1133
Wind (km/h)
5
N
20
ENE
5
NNW
5
N
15
E
10
NE
5
SSW
15
E
5
NNW
15
SSW
10
E
15
NE
20
ENE
20
ENE
15
NE
10
NNE
20
ENE
15
NNE
10
N
20
NE
15
N
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
cross
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-off
cross-off
on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
4:57PM1.13m
4:54AM1.30m
5:43PM1.24m
5:49AM1.29m
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
Low Tide
10:33AM0.29m
10:38PM0.46m
11:20AM0.28m
11:38PM0.39m
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
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
clear
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
thunderstorm
clear
clear
light rain
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:22
6:22
6:22
6:24
6:24
6:26
6:26
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:19
5:17
5:16
5:15
5:15
5:14
5:13
3
4
5
2
2
1
1
Temp °C
19
20
18
20
20
19
20
21
19
20
21
20
21
20
19
21
21
20
22
23
20
17
17
16
19
18
17
18
19
18
19
21
18
18
18
18
20
19
19
21
23
19
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
ENE
7
0.4
ESE
7
0.5
E
6
0.7
E
6
0.7
E
7
0.6
ENE
8
0.6
ENE
7
0.5
ENE
8
0.7
ENE
8
0.7
E
7
0.9
ENE
7
0.2
S
8
1.2
ENE
7
0.2
S
14
1.1
ENE
8
1
ENE
8
0.9
ENE
8
1.3
ENE
8
1.6
E
9
0.2
S
8
0.1
S
8
Energy kJ
38
17
21
41
45
51
42
32
56
47
91
5
156
16
147
123
94
212
384
5
1
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
ESE
7
0.2
SSE
7
0.2
ESE
7
0.1
NE
9
0.2
ENE
8
0.1
E
10
0.3
E
8
0.3
ESE
8
0.4
ESE
7
0.5
ENE
8
0.2
S
8
0.1
S
19
0.2
S
16
0.1
S
8
0.2
S
10
0.2
S
10
0.3
S
9
0.3
S
9
0.3
S
8
0.1
S
15
0.1
S
11
Energy kJ
28
5
5
3
7
2
12
11
15
34
5
7
20
1
8
7
15
14
13
4
2
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SE
8
0.1
S
16
0.1
SE
6
0.1
E
7
0.1
S
13
0.1
S
12
0.1
S
10
0.2
S
10
0.2
S
9
0.2
S
8
0.2
S
3
0.1
S
8
0.1
S
7
0.1
E
11
0.2
E
11
0.1
S
19
0.1
S
18
Energy kJ
14
5
2
1
3
3
2
8
6
6
1
1
1
2
9
7
6
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
ENE
7
0.7
ENE
4
0.5
E
4
0.4
ENE
3
0.4
SW
3
1.1
ENE
8
1.2
ENE
7
2
ENE
9
2.5
ENE
9
Energy kJ
35
16
8
4
2
143
164
573
1133
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
4
Distance (km)
0
97
0
7
263
13
0
263
0
0
163
11
68
131
11
9
203
20
2
204
11
Best forecast wave conditions in Newcastle
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
4
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia
Rating
(10 max)
4
2
4
8
5
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
4
4
4
4
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
6
5
7
8
5
6
5
5
9
6
5
9
9
5
9
5
5
5
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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