Surf Forecasts:
Frenchmans Reef surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 17 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 10s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 9s period, S swell with 377 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 10s period with S swell.
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 (Aug 17) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Frenchmans Reef in the next 16 days are 1.6m 9s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) 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 1.0m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Frenchmans Reef over the next 16 days.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sun morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Fri night. Warm (max 21°C on Thu morning, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 6 | SE 7 | S 11 | S 10 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 11 | ESE 6 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 7 | E 6 | NE 6 | E 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | S 5 | S 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
175 | 183 | 189 | 116 | 88 | 88 | 120 | 77 | 113 | 80 | 237 | 137 | 62 | 84 | 100 | 38 | 32 | 48 | 25 | 56 | 377 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-on | on | on | on | glassy | glassy | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:44AM1.25m | 10:54PM1.27m | 11:26AM1.23m | 11:36PM1.12m | 12:11PM1.19m | 00:18AM0.98m | 12:58PM1.15m | 1:07AM0.85m | 1:53PM1.11m | 2:10AM0.75m | 2:56PM1.09m | 3:39AM0.70m | 4:02PM1.11m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:50PM0.21m | 5:14AM0.15m | 5:40PM0.28m | 5:50AM0.23m | 6:34PM0.35m | 6:28AM0.31m | 7:34PM0.41m | 7:08AM0.37m | 8:46PM0.45m | 7:56AM0.43m | 10:07PM0.44m | 8:53AM0.46m | 11:14PM0.39m | ||||||||
6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | |
— | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 21 | 20 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 14 | 17 | 14 | 14 |
Feels °C | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 10 | 13 | 7 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 17 | S 12 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | S 8 | S 11 | SE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 6 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 7 | E 10 | ENE 6 | E 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | S 9 |
147 | 69 | 75 | 91 | 88 | 35 | 85 | 77 | 113 | 80 | 237 | 137 | 62 | 2 | 59 | 38 | 32 | 48 | 25 | 26 | 377 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 18 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 12 | E 9 | S 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | S 8 | S 8 | E 11 | S 14 | E 10 | S 11 | S 11 | N 3 | S 9 | S 9 | ENE 7 |
26 | 96 | 189 | 116 | 80 | 44 | 6 | 56 | 111 | 80 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 10 | 9 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 18 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | SSE 6 | S 14 | SSW 13 | ENE 10 | SE 15 | ESE 14 | S 10 | S 9 | — | E 12 | E 11 | — | S 12 | E 10 | SE 7 | S 10 | E 6 | S 18 | S 16 |
20 | 10 | 16 | 34 | 53 | 18 | 9 | 71 | 47 | 26 | — | 3 | 9 | — | 3 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 6 | 5 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 6 | SE 7 | — | — | — | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 6 | — | — | ENE 5 | — | NNW 2 | E 6 | NE 6 | NNW 3 | NNW 2 | WNW 3 | SSW 5 | S 5 | — |
175 | 183 | — | — | — | 88 | 120 | 30 | — | — | 18 | — | 1 | 84 | 100 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 28 | 56 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 148 | 74 | 22 | 0 | 216 | 58 | 95 | 113 | 0 | 0 | 97 | 0 | 0 | 72 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 20 | 189 | 13 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Newcastle | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











