Frenchmans Reef surfForecast / NSW – Newcastle / Australia

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 10 am Monday 05 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 1.1°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 Monday (Jan 05) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 5s. 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 3.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jan 09) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Jan 11) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Mon 5th Jan)1.5ft (0.5m) 8s
Best Surf 2AM (Sat 10th Jan)8ft (2.5m) 8s
Most Powerful 8PM (Fri 9th Jan)10ft (3.0m) 8s

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

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Wed afternoon, min 20°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Warm (max 35°C on Sat afternoon, min 19°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Fri night, strong winds from the SSW by Sat night).

Monday
05
Tuesday
06
Wednesday
07
Thursday
08
Friday
09
Saturday
10
Sunday
11
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
!
2
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.4
SE
0.5
SE
0.4
SE
0.4
SE
0.4
SE
0.4
E
0.4
E
0.4
E
1.1
NE
0.9
NE
1.7
NE
1.9
NE
1.4
ENE
3
NE
2.5
NE
1.8
NE
2.3
NE
1.7
ENE
2.4
S
2.3
S
1.4
S
Period(s) (?)888879996667878878788
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)22352320192727257254202394224893952403509403603601217
Wind
(km/h)
10
SSE
15
SE
10
SSE
10
SSE
15
E
10
E
10
E
25
ENE
10
NNE
15
NE
35
NE
15
NNE
20
ENE
35
ENE
15
N
15
NNW
30
NE
40
SSW
30
S
30
SSE
15
ESE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crosscross-
on
crosscrossonononcross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
off
crosscross-
on
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
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
2:23AM
1.13
2:14PM
1.07
3:16AM
1.13
3:06PM
0.95
4:13AM
1.14
Low Tide
/ height (m)
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
8:01PM
0.24
8:26AM
0.47
8:42PM
0.30
9:31AM
0.51
9:23PM
0.35
Monday
05
Tuesday
06
Wednesday
07
Thursday
08
Friday
09
Saturday
10
Sunday
11
Sunrise5:50--5:50--5:52--5:52--5:52--5:54--5:54--
Sunset-8:06--8:06--8:06--8:06--8:06--8:06--8:06-
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
Rain (mm)
---------------------
Temp. °C222322212322232524302925282725343529202020
Feels °C (?)222324222223252422282522262421313326161616
  • 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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