Frenchmans Reef surfForecast / NSW – Newcastle / Australia

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 9 pm Friday 01 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
22.9° 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 Monday (May 04) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.4m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Frenchmans Reef in the next 16 days are 2.4m 11s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (May 05) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (May 05) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Mon 4th May)8ft (2.4m) 10s
Best Surf 1AM (Mon 4th May)8ft (2.4m) 10s
Most Powerful 1AM (Tue 5th May)8ft (2.4m) 11s

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


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Warm (max 23°C on Sun morning, min 16°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NE on Sun afternoon, calm by Mon afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 24°C on Thu afternoon, min 14°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
2
Sunday
3
Monday
4
Tuesday
5
Wednesday
6
Thursday
7
Fri
8
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
0
0
0
0
0
!
2
3
!
3
3
3
3
0
2
1
1
1
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>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.4
ENE
8
1.9
ENE
9
1.8
ENE
10
2.2
ENE
10
2
ENE
10
2
ENE
10
2.4
ENE
10
2
ENE
10
2
E
10
2.4
ENE
11
1.9
ENE
11
1.7
E
11
1.8
E
11
1.6
E
11
1.6
E
10
1.4
E
10
1.4
E
10
1.3
E
10
1.1
E
9
1.1
E
9
1
E
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
238
567
602
917
763
727
1021
727
849
1363
911
694
764
584
551
394
384
319
211
207
164
Wind (km/h)
15
NE
20
NE
25
ENE
20
NE
25
NNE
35
NE
20
NNE
10
N
5
NE
15
NW
20
W
0
SSE
10
SW
0
S
15
E
15
NNW
15
NW
10
N
20
NW
30
WNW
20
WNW
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
glassy
cross-off
off
glassy
cross-off
glassy
on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
off
cross-off
High Tide
8:38AM1.14m
8:49PM1.50m
9:16AM1.08m
9:24PM1.48m
9:55AM1.02m
9:59PM1.43m
10:37AM0.96m
10:35PM1.38m
11:21AM0.92m
11:13PM1.33m
12:11PM0.89m
11:55PM1.29m
1:06PM0.90m
Low Tide
2:45AM0.23m
2:21PM0.30m
3:26AM0.24m
2:53PM0.34m
4:07AM0.26m
3:26PM0.39m
4:49AM0.28m
4:00PM0.45m
5:32AM0.31m
4:37PM0.51m
6:17AM0.34m
5:23PM0.57m
7:05AM0.36m
6:19PM0.61m
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:26
6:26
6:28
6:28
6:28
6:30
6:31
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:13
5:12
5:10
5:09
5:08
5:08
5:07
4
1
2
Temp °C
20
22
21
20
23
22
20
22
22
20
22
23
19
19
20
19
22
24
18
16
17
19
19
18
17
19
17
16
21
23
21
18
21
16
17
17
17
17
20
14
8
10
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
S
8
1.9
ENE
9
0.2
S
8
0.1
S
15
2
ENE
10
0.1
S
13
0.1
S
12
2
ENE
10
2
E
10
2.4
ENE
11
1.9
ENE
11
1.7
E
11
1.8
E
11
1.6
E
11
1.6
E
10
1.4
E
10
1.4
E
10
1.3
E
10
1.1
E
9
1.1
E
9
1
E
9
Energy kJ
10
567
5
4
763
3
3
727
849
1363
911
694
764
584
551
394
384
319
211
207
164
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
S
19
0.2
S
8
0.1
S
15
0.1
S
14
0.1
S
11
0.1
S
10
0.1
S
17
0.1
S
16
0.4
SSW
5
0.2
S
18
0.3
SSW
5
0.3
S
15
0.3
S
6
0.2
SSW
12
0.2
S
11
0.2
S
10
0.4
SW
4
0.4
SSW
5
Energy kJ
7
4
4
4
2
2
6
5
8
25
4
41
7
14
10
7
4
9
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
S
15
0.1
S
18
0.1
S
18
0.1
S
16
0.1
S
16
0.3
S
17
0.2
S
7
0.2
S
13
0.1
NE
10
0.1
NE
10
0.2
S
10
0.1
S
9
0.1
S
16
Energy kJ
5
6
7
5
5
53
4
14
4
4
8
2
5
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.4
ENE
8
1.8
ENE
10
2.2
ENE
10
2
ENE
10
2.4
ENE
10
0.6
SSW
4
0.4
SSW
5
1
NE
5
0.9
ENE
6
0.4
WNW
3
Energy kJ
238
602
917
727
1021
13
9
45
55
4
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
3
3
2
3
4
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
1
1
Distance (km)
52
58
439
52
52
316
58
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
202
0
2
2
2
129
2
Best forecast wave conditions in Newcastle
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
3
2
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
1
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
4
4
4
3
4
4
4
4
4
3
4
5
5
5
3
4
4
2
2
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
6
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
5
5
5
5
7
7
8
5
5
5
6
5
  • 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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