Frenchmans Reef surfForecast / NSW – Newcastle / Australia

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 9 pm Monday 18 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
21.0° 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 Tuesday (May 19) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.4m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 14s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Frenchmans Reef in the next 16 days are 3.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (May 21) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (May 19) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Tue 19th May)8ft (2.4m) 9s
Best Surf 4AM (Tue 19th May)8ft (2.4m) 9s
Most Powerful 7AM (Thu 21st May)10ft (3.0m) 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

Heavy rain (total 36mm), heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon night, min 14°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon night, fresh winds from the SSW by Wed night).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Warm (max 20°C on Sun morning, min 15°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Fri morning, calm by Sat morning).

Tuesday
19
Wednesday
20
Thursday
21
Friday
22
Saturday
23
Sunday
24
Mon
25
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
!
!
!
4
!
!
!
!
!
0
0
0
!
!
!
!
!
!
3
3
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.1
ENE
9
2.4
ENE
10
2.3
ENE
10
1.8
ENE
10
2.5
S
9
2.5
S
10
2.4
S
9
3
S
9
2.4
S
9
2.4
SSE
8
2.2
SSE
8
2.2
SSE
8
2.3
SE
10
2.2
ESE
10
2.4
ESE
10
2.2
E
11
2.1
E
11
2.3
ESE
11
1.8
E
11
1.7
E
11
1.6
E
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
631
1086
1038
707
1074
1390
1005
1372
841
690
587
605
1098
942
1221
1144
1048
1252
771
676
599
Wind (km/h)
10
SSW
5
W
15
WSW
15
WSW
20
SW
25
S
25
SSW
25
SSW
30
S
30
S
30
S
30
S
30
S
5
SE
10
SSE
10
WSW
10
NW
10
SE
20
SW
20
WSW
30
SSW
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross
glassy
cross
off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
10:09AM1.09m
10:11PM1.63m
11:06AM1.05m
11:04PM1.57m
12:06PM1.02m
00:00AM1.48m
1:10PM1.02m
1:01AM1.39m
2:18PM1.06m
2:06AM1.30m
3:23PM1.13m
3:13AM1.23m
4:19PM1.21m
Low Tide
4:13AM0.13m
3:37PM0.38m
5:09AM0.16m
4:31PM0.43m
6:06AM0.20m
5:32PM0.49m
7:03AM0.24m
6:39PM0.53m
8:00AM0.28m
7:52PM0.55m
8:55AM0.31m
9:06PM0.54m
9:46AM0.33m
heavy rain
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
light rain
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:39
6:39
6:39
6:41
6:41
6:41
6:43
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:00
4:59
4:59
4:58
4:58
4:57
4:57
11
5
3
6
5
4
2
5
2
1
2
Temp °C
18
17
18
16
17
17
16
16
18
18
17
17
18
19
19
16
20
19
17
14
16
20
18
17
14
12
12
11
10
12
12
11
11
15
19
19
15
19
17
12
9
10
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.1
ENE
9
2.4
ENE
10
2.3
ENE
10
1.8
ENE
10
2.2
S
9
1.3
ENE
10
1.2
E
10
1.1
E
10
1.1
E
10
0.9
E
10
0.9
E
9
0.6
E
9
2.3
SE
10
2.2
ESE
10
2.4
ESE
10
2.2
E
11
2.1
E
11
2.3
ESE
11
1.8
E
11
1.7
E
11
1.6
E
11
Energy kJ
631
1086
1038
707
792
349
284
240
240
145
133
64
1098
942
1221
1144
1048
1252
771
676
599
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
S
15
1.6
ENE
10
0.1
S
16
0.1
S
16
0.5
ESE
10
0.2
S
12
0.3
S
9
0.1
S
21
0.1
S
19
0.1
S
15
0.1
S
13
0.1
S
11
0.2
S
17
0.5
S
16
Energy kJ
4
482
5
5
57
11
16
9
7
4
4
3
22
122
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
S
14
0.2
S
18
Energy kJ
35
27
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.5
SSW
3
2.1
S
8
2.5
S
9
2.5
S
10
2.4
S
9
3
S
9
2.4
S
9
2.4
SSE
8
2.2
SSE
8
2.2
SSE
8
0.8
SSW
4
1.7
SSE
7
2
S
8
1.8
S
8
Energy kJ
6
541
1074
1390
1005
1372
841
690
587
605
20
257
520
443
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
3
4
4
4
3
1
2
1
1
2
2
3
4
4
3
4
3
4
2
Distance (km)
0
0
0
0
13
74
14
23
130
163
163
198
163
0
13
0
0
14
13
13
23
Best forecast wave conditions in Newcastle
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
4
4
4
4
1
4
4
4
4
4
3
4
2
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
7
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
5
7
5
5
7
6
5
4
5
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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