Frenchmans Reef surfForecast / NSW – Newcastle / Australia

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 10 pm Friday 02 Jan 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
22.3° C
(Which is 1.0°C colder than average for this time of year)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Frenchmans Reef this week:

The surf forecast for Frenchmans Reef over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jan 04) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 9s 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 12 days are 2.5m 7s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jan 09) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Jan 06) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Sun 4th Jan)4.5ft (1.3m) 6s
Best Surf 2AM (Sat 10th Jan)7ft (2.2m) 8s
Most Powerful 5PM (Fri 9th Jan)8ft (2.5m) 7s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Frenchmans Reef over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Moderate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Mon afternoon. Warm (max 24°C on Sun afternoon, min 18°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat night, fresh winds from the NNE by Sun afternoon).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Thu morning, min 19°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, fresh winds from the ENE by Thu afternoon).

Saturday
03
Sunday
04
Monday
05
Tuesday
06
Wednesday
07
Thursday
08
Fri
09
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.8
SSE
0.8
SSE
0.9
SSE
1.3
NE
0.7
SE
1.3
ENE
1
NE
0.7
ENE
0.7
SSE
0.8
ENE
1
SSE
0.7
SE
0.4
E
0.4
E
0.4
E
1.3
NE
0.8
ENE
1.5
ENE
1.8
NE
1.4
ENE
2.5
ENE
Period(s) (?)988685668656999666777
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)100888397598378315847603127272512849138303207691
Wind
(km/h)
15
ENE
20
ENE
30
ENE
5
NE
5
NNE
35
NNE
5
N
10
SE
20
NNW
10
SSW
15
S
15
ESE
5
E
5
E
25
ENE
15
NE
15
ENE
30
ENE
25
NE
15
NE
35
ENE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
oncross-
on
glasscross-
on
cross-
on
glasscross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
crossonglassoncross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
8:45PM
1.02
8:49AM
1.64
9:37PM
1.05
9:38AM
1.65
10:26PM
1.08
10:26AM
1.63
11:12PM
1.10
11:12AM
1.56
11:59PM
1.11
11:58AM
1.46
12:46AM
1.12
12:42PM
1.34
1:33AM
1.13
1:27PM
1.20
Low Tide
/ height (m)
2:08AM
0.30
3:41PM
0.07
3:03AM
0.27
4:29PM
0.03
3:56AM
0.27
5:14PM
0.04
4:48AM
0.28
5:58PM
0.06
5:40AM
0.31
6:40PM
0.11
6:33AM
0.36
7:21PM
0.18
7:28AM
0.42
Saturday
03
Sunday
04
Monday
05
Tuesday
06
Wednesday
07
Thursday
08
Fri
09
Sunrise-5:48--5:48--5:50--5:50--5:52--5:52--5:52-
Sunset--8:05--8:05--8:06--8:06--8:06--8:06--8:06
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
thunderstorm
part cloud
part cloud
heavy rain
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
---132--11------------
Temp. °C202121202324232324202122212425242928252827
Feels °C (?)191918162521232424202223222624222824232623
  • 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 12 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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